The easiest way to reach downtown Chicago (including Loop) from either airport is by uber/lyft (or taxi). From O'Hare, one can alternatively take a blue line subway ('L' system) train. From Midway, one can take an orange line train.

The easiest way to reach the conference venue (on IIT's Mies campus) from Loop is to take a southbound green line subway ('L' system) train: get on at 'State/Lake' or 'Washington/Wabash' station  and get off at '35th-Bronzeville-IIT'. Alternatively, one can take a southbound red line train, getting off at 'Sox-35th', or take an uber/lyft.