Anno, I did a random Expedia search from Alaska to Chicago, and it looks like you could get a round trip for $514 with a stop in Salt Lake City. I'm sure there are better prices and stuff out there, but this was just the one I looked at as an example. So if you could scrape together the money by early June, I'm sure something could be set if, if you'd like

Jojee's got the right idea, kupo!!