Travel time - Dowtown Chicago to O'Hare

I think you should be able to do it. It might be faster, however, to catch a Blue line el. That would take 1 hour. Check here for Blue line el stops.

By the way, the blue line stops are underground in the Loop, not the same platforms as the brown, red, etc.--something you might not be able to tell from the map.

Your best bet would be the following:

Walk 0.1 mile S from EMBASSY SUITES - CHICAGO DOWNTOWN to GRAND CTA (RED)
Take CTA RED LINE TRAIN (RED LINE - SOUTHBOUND)

Transfer to the Blue Line
Walk 0.1 mile W to JACKSON/DEARBORN CTA (BLUE - O'HARE)
Take CTA BLUE LINE TRAIN (BLUE LINE - NORTHBOUND)

If you walk down State St,. you will have to walk 6-7 blocks to get to the Blue Line station.

#3
I kind of disagree with your route. In fact, that's not even how I would go as a local and I wouldn't send someone unfamiliar with CTA that way either. Why wouldn't you transfer at Washington? Why go all the way to Jackson?

OP
Make this easy. Above are correct in telling you to take the EL. At that time it is a nightmare driving to O'Hare. If there is weather, it could be even worse. Train is much faster. Get a cab on Grand right outside your hotel. It's a one way going west and take it to the Grand and Milwaukee Blue Line Stop. Go down and get on the one that says O'Hare. Sit back, read a paper, listen to your IPOD, and enjoy the ride.

Transferring underground in the loop can be confusing for some people not familiar with the CTA. This will also cut 4 stops off your trip compared to #3's suggestion. Though I think he means Washington, not Jackson. You will have plenty of time to make your flight.

I was thinking the same thing: get a cab to a Blue Line stop.

JLawrence01 is correct if you want the all CTA route. Banned is out of date. The tunnel connecting the Blue and Red subway lines at Washington is closed for the construction of a CTA superstation. You need to transfer at Jackson.

See CTA Press Release

If you are contending with a fair amount of luggage, a cab to the Blue line makes a lot of sense. The train to ORD at 17:30 will be jammed at Grand so you might want to take the Red south to Jackson so you have a better chance of grabbing a seat or a comfortable place to stand.

By the way, all I did was to cut & paste from Transit Chicago's Trip Planning website.

Thanks for tips everyone, very much appreciated......

I won't have too much luggage (only a carry on roller bag)....so it sounds like I should have no problem.

Again, thanks for all the tips!

#4's suggestion about going to the Grand Ave. stop on the Blue Line is what experienced Chicagoans will recommend - and I endorse that. No need to reinvent the wheel, or make it difficult for travelers. Simple, direct is the best approach.