Honestly, skip the OtterBox if you care about the weight, it honestly makes your tablet feel like a cinderblock after a while. I used to use the Defender series back in the day but it just gets too annoying for daily sketching. Since you are in Chicago and need something fast, look at the Spigen Tough Armor Pro Case instead. It hits that sweet spot where it has enough cushion to survive a clumsy drop but doesnt add an insane amount of thickness. Just be careful with the kickstand, it works fine for sketching but dont force it if you feel any resistance. I also really like the UAG Metropolis Series Case for what you are doing. The tactical look is kinda extra but the grip on that thing is amazing when your hands are sweaty or dusty from the studio. It feels way more premium than the standard plastic cases. If you go this route, just make sure to check the corners every few weeks to keep them clean. I would suggest grabbing a decent tempered glass screen protector too, since the folio covers on those UAG cases can sometimes collect grit in your bag. Dont risk your screen if you are shoving it into a messy bag. Good luck with the trip!

TL;DR: Check out the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Full-Body Rugged Case if you want serious drop protection without the massive bulk of a Defender. I was just looking at the specs for these cases and honestly, the dual-layer design on the Supcase is pretty solid for studio work. It uses a mix of polycarbonate and shock-absorbing TPU which handles those accidental desk drops way better than a slim case. Just be careful though, the built-in screen protector can sometimes feel a bit cheap, so pop it out if you want to use a matte screen film for drawing. It feels way thinner in a bag than the tactical stuff while still meeting military drop-test standards. Since you need it fast, shipping on these is usually super quick. Just make sure you double check your specific iPad model number before hitting buy so the ports align perfectly.

Can confirm