Parking and Directions Information

Parking - Sangamon Auditorium Events

Free parking is available for patrons during evening events in lots A, B, C, D, F, G & I. During daytime events, patrons may park for free in lots A, B, C or D.  Vehicles parked in lots other than those mentioned above will be subject to ticketing by Campus Police. The minimum fine for parking violations is $25. Patrons are responsible for any tickets and fines associated with parking in lots other than those mentioned above or for any illegal parking in any of the above lots.

Twenty-one parking spaces for patrons with mobility impairments are available for all events.  A map, noting this parking, is available upon request through the Ticket Office.

Parking Lot                       Distance to PAC                 Avg. Walking Time

       A                                  975 feet                             5 minutes

       B                                  900 feet                             4 minutes

       C                                  600 feet                             3 minutes

       D                                  600 feet                             3 minutes

       E                                  400 feet                             2 minutes

       F                                  750 feet                             3 ½ minutes

       G                                  600 feet                             3 ½ minutes

       I                                   850 feet                       3 ½ minutes

Passenger drop off/pick up: Passengers may be dropped off at the main entrance to the Public Affairs Center (PAC) Building on Level 1.  To reach the Level 1 entrance (i.e. Teardrop), vehicles should proceed down Ernest Hemingway Drive.  There will be two lanes, one for passenger drop off/pick up and one for valet.  For passenger drop off/pick up, please stay in the left lane.

Valet Parking: Valet parking is available for all Sangamon Auditorium season events occurring in the Auditorium and for most rental and resident group events.  One hundred valet spaces are available first come, first served at $8 per vehicle. To take advantage of this service, vehicles should proceed to the main entrance (i.e. Teardrop) down Ernest Hemingway Drive. There will be two lanes, one for passenger drop off/pick up and one for valet.  For valet service, please stay in the right lane.

Premium Parking: Premium parking is available for all Sangamon Auditorium season events occurring in the Auditorium and for most rental and resident group events.  Premium parking is located in lot E, just north of the PAC building, for $5 per vehicle. Premium parking is first come, first served.  The capacity of this lot varies depending of the day of the week and its use by UIS students and faculty/staff.

Event Parking Trends: As Sangamon Auditorium is part of the UIS campus, students and faculty/staff generally have first access to the campus parking lots.  Classes are in session in the PAC building Monday-Friday from about 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.  The last evening classes begin at 6 p.m.  Please take this information into account when determining in which lots to park, as student and faculty cars will be parked there as well.

Typically for events at Sangamon Auditorium, lots C and D fill first. Premium parking in lot E also fills quickly. Lots F, G and I will fill quicker when there are events in the Recreation and Athletic Center and the Kiwanis Stadium. Generally, lots A and B are the last to fill, but require more time spent on foot to get to the Auditorium as they are located further away from the Public Affairs Center.

For the easiest access in and out of free campus parking, it is recommended that patrons use Edgar Lee Masters Drive/University Drive to park in lot B.  This helps patrons avoid the intersection near the Teardrop, which is generally filled with patrons seeking valet service.

Arrive early, and allow ample time to be seated. Patrons who arrive after the performance has begun may have to wait to be seated in the Auditorium at an appropriate break in the performance as determined by the artist.

UIS Campus Map - Sangamon Auditorium is located in the Public Affairs Center, #9 on the campus map.

Driving Directions

Southbound on I-55
Exit right (west) at Exit #94 onto Stevenson Drive. Proceed to the intersection of Stevenson Drive and Taylor Avenue/West Lake Shore Drive (3rd stoplight). Turn left (south) onto West Lake Drive, which will become University Drive. Turn right at campus entrance onto Edgar Lee Masters Drive and follow signs to Public Affairs Center.

Northbound on I-55
Exit right (east) at Exit #90 onto Toronto Road. Turn left onto 11th Street.  Turn right onto Vachel Lindsay Drive and follow signs to Public Affairs Center.

Westbound on I-72
Exit onto I-55 South. Exit right (west) at Exit #94 onto Stevenson Drive. Proceed to the intersection of Stevenson Drive and Taylor Avenue/West Lake Shore Drive (3rd stoplight). Turn left (south) onto West Lake Drive, which will become University Drive. Turn right at campus entrance onto Edgar Lee Masters Drive and follow signs to Public Affairs Center.

Eastbound on US 36
US 36 merges with I-55 North. Exit right (west) at Exit #94 onto Stevenson Drive. Proceed to the intersection of Stevenson Drive and Taylor Avenue/West Lake Shore Drive (3rd stoplight). Turn left (south) onto West Lake Drive, which will become University Drive. Turn right at campus entrance onto Edgar Lee Masters Drive and follow signs to Public Affairs Center.