We’ll have a tough act to follow, considering that the 2016 Internet Checker Taxicab Archive convention was such a success.  This year the plan is to have an event in Rockford, Illinois.  Why Rockford?  There are several points of interest in and around the area: The Illinois Railway Museum in Union and the Historic Auto Attractions Museum in Roscoe, Illinois.

Friday August 18th 2017

The Illinois Railway Museum is the largest railroad museum in the United States and is located in Union, Illinois, 55 miles northwest of Chicago and 25 miles from our base hotel in Rockford.

The last Checker event was held at Union in 2002

Since 1957 the museum’s mission has been to demonstrate the vital role railroads have played in the growth of the Chicago area as well as the United States as a whole. There are over 450 pieces of prototype equipment in its collection as well as numerous displays. Visitors may ride on some of the museum’s electric, steam and diesel powered trains.

Participants will be allowed to pull their Checkers onto the museum grounds and  display them at the museum train station area.  Members will be provided many great photographic opportunities to park our Checkers among the museum’s trains, trolleys and transit buses.  The museum will charge Internet Checker Taxicab Archive members a discounted entrance fee of $11.00

Self-contained, members will have access to all on location museum concessions and food venues.

The Museum has the largest fleet of trains, rolling stock, buses and trolleys!

IRM Steam engines provide unlimited rides on the museum property

The IRM Diner can accommodate members through out the day

Saturday August 19th 2017

the Historic Auto Attractions Museum is a short 15 mile hop on I-90 from Bloomington to Roscoe.  More than just a display of historic automobiles, it’s a journey through time! Over 75 historic autos displayed in 36,000 sq. ft., including the world’s largest collection of presidential and world leader’s limousines, John Dillinger’s getaway car, Elvis Presley’s personal car, Indy cars, TV Land cars and movie cars such as the Batmobile. Kids will love the Turn-of-the-Century Room with old west style stage coach and other period vehicles.

Within the presidential collection, Internet Checker Taxicab Archive members will be able to view the Oswald Checker used as a get-away car after the JFK assignation.  We’re still negotiating the entrance fee into the museum, more detail to follow.

The Oswald Checker get-away car

Here’s a quick video that showcases the museum

Saturday Night Banquet

This year the Saturday night banquet will be held at the Hoffman House.  Since 1958, the Hoffman House has taken extra effort to ensure that all functions are a truly enjoyable and memorable events.  Plans this year call for a buffet style meal, dinner and dessert is $36.00 per person.  The hall is rented for three hours and a piano will be made available

For more information on the Hoffman House, check out their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/HoffmanHouseRestaurant/

Sunday August 20th 2017

To be determined, more news to follow.

Base Hotel

The base hotel is the Holiday Inn at exit 15 off of Interstate 90 in Rockford.  The club has had the hotels rooms block off runs at a rate of $104.00.  This rate is good for booking until July 17th.  For those interested in other hotels in the area, there ten other hotels within 500 yards of the Holiday Inn covering all budgets.

For reservations please call the Holiday Inn at 815-398-2200