If you get sick or hurt in Chicago, an urgent care clinic or a 24-hour pharmacy can handle most minor problems. Hospital emergency rooms handle the serious emergencies.
Quick decision guide: where to go in Chicago
- Minor illness (cold, ear infection, UTI): visit an urgent care clinic such as Midwest Express Clinic or Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care.
- Prescription refill: the Walgreens at 757 N Michigan Ave on the Magnificent Mile fills prescriptions from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and the store is open around the clock.
- Serious emergency (chest pain, stroke symptoms, major bleeding, loss of consciousness): call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Do not drive yourself.
- Poison exposure: call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 any time, day or night.
- Dental pain or eye injury: Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care doesn't list either among the conditions it treats, so call the clinic before you go, or go to a hospital emergency room for a serious eye injury.
Emergency rooms near the Loop and River North
Rush University Medical Center at 1620 W Harrison St is one of the largest academic medical centers in the Midwest and is about 2 miles west of the Loop.
The emergency department operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (312) 942-5000 for general information. Take the CTA Blue Line to Illinois Medical District or the Pink Line to Polk, both next to the campus.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 251 E Huron St is in Streeterville, a 10-minute walk from River North and the Magnificent Mile. The emergency department runs 24/7 and the hospital ranks among the top facilities in Illinois. Call (312) 926-2000. The nearest CTA L stop is Chicago (Red Line) on State Street, about a 12-minute walk, or take a rideshare for a 5-minute ride.
University of Chicago Medical Center at 5841 S Maryland Ave serves the South Side and Hyde Park. The emergency department is open 24/7. Call (773) 702-1000. Travelers staying downtown will find this a longer trip, roughly 30 minutes by CTA Green Line to Garfield, then a short bus ride, so it works best for those already in Hyde Park.
Urgent care near the Magnificent Mile and Streeterville
Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care operates multiple Chicago locations. The Streeterville clinic at 635 N Fairbanks Ct is about a 5-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile and handles everything from sprains to respiratory infections.
Hours run 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day. Call (312) 694-2273 or book online at nm.org.
Urgent care in Wicker Park and the near northwest side
Midwest Express Clinic operates a Wicker Park location at 1520 N Damen Ave, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Walk-ins are welcome. The Damen Blue Line station is a 4-minute walk. This clinic covers travelers staying in Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Ukrainian Village.
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center at 836 W Wellington Ave in Lakeview serves Lakeview and Lincoln Park. The emergency department runs 24/7. Call (773) 975-1600. Take the CTA Brown Line to Wellington station, a 5-minute walk from the main entrance.
Chicago hospitals and urgent care at a glance
| Facility | Neighborhood | Type | Hours | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush University Medical Center, 1620 W Harrison St | Near West Side | Hospital ER | 24/7 | (312) 942-5000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 E Huron St | Streeterville / River North | Hospital ER | 24/7 | (312) 926-2000 |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 836 W Wellington Ave | Lakeview | Hospital ER | 24/7 | (773) 975-1600 |
| University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 S Maryland Ave | Hyde Park | Hospital ER | 24/7 | (773) 702-1000 |
| Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care, 635 N Fairbanks Ct | Streeterville | Urgent Care | Daily 8am-7:30pm | (312) 694-2273 |
| Midwest Express Clinic, 1520 N Damen Ave | Wicker Park | Urgent Care | Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Wknd 8am-6pm | See website |
A 24-hour pharmacy on the Magnificent Mile
Walgreens at 757 N Michigan Ave on the Magnificent Mile is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (312) 664-8686. The pharmacy counter is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and the store stays open for over-the-counter purchases all night. The Chicago (Red Line) station is a 4-minute walk.
Practical tips for getting medical care in Chicago
- Download the MyChart app before you travel. Northwestern Medicine and Rush University both use it, and you can request a virtual visit for minor issues without leaving your hotel room in River North or the Loop.
- The Walgreens at 757 N Michigan Ave keeps the store open 24 hours, but its pharmacy closes at 8 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on weekends, so fill prescriptions before then. Call (312) 664-8686.
- Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care at 635 N Fairbanks Ct in Streeterville is open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day, weekends included.
- Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is worth carrying if you have a pre-existing condition. Chicago hospitals bill at full U.S. rates for uninsured international visitors, and a single ER visit can run several thousand dollars.
- For non-emergency questions, call the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 any time. Staff there can also advise on drug interactions and medication questions, not just poisoning cases.
- If you are in Wicker Park or Bucktown late at night and need urgent care, Ascension Saint Mary on West Division Street is open 24 hours.
Getting to a clinic by CTA
The CTA L reaches most major medical facilities, including the Illinois Medical District (Blue) and Polk (Pink) stations for Rush and the Chicago Red Line stop near Northwestern Memorial. For a minor illness, a telehealth visit through Northwestern Medicine or Rush saves you the trip entirely.
Official sources for medical help in Chicago
- Illinois Department of Public Health: state health alerts, vaccination requirements, and disease outbreak notices relevant to Chicago travelers.
- City of Chicago Department of Public Health: local health resources, clinic finder, and public health emergency updates.
- Illinois Poison Center: 24-hour poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222, plus online resources for medication and chemical exposure questions.
- Northwestern Medicine: online scheduling for immediate care visits, virtual care, and pharmacy services across Chicago.
Getting care as a visitor
For anything minor (a refill, a sprain, a fever) an urgent-care clinic or 24-hour pharmacy is faster and cheaper than an emergency room, and Chicago has both across the Loop and the neighborhoods. Carry your insurance card and a list of any medications, and save the nearest hospital's number; the city's major academic medical centers handle serious emergencies around the clock.
Things to do in Chicago, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
What's the closest hospital to the Loop in Chicago?＋
Rush University Medical Center at 1620 W Harrison St is about 2 miles west of the Loop and reachable by the CTA Blue Line to Illinois Medical District or the Pink Line to Polk. For travelers in the northern Loop or River North, Northwestern Memorial Hospital at 251 E Huron St in Streeterville is closer, roughly a 10-minute walk or 5-minute rideshare. Both emergency departments run 24/7.
Where can I find a 24-hour pharmacy in Chicago?＋
The Walgreens at 757 N Michigan Ave on the Magnificent Mile stays open 24 hours for retail purchases. Its pharmacy counter is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and closes at 6 p.m. on weekends.
What's the best urgent care option near the Magnificent Mile?＋
Northwestern Medicine Immediate Care at 635 N Fairbanks Ct is about a 5-minute walk from the Magnificent Mile and handles most non-emergency conditions including infections, sprains, and minor injuries. It is open 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. every day. You can book online at nm.org or walk in.
What should I do if I have a medical emergency in Chicago?＋
Call 911. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, stroke symptoms, major bleeding, seizures, or loss of consciousness, do not attempt to drive or take public transit. Chicago Fire Department paramedics respond across the city and will transport you to the appropriate hospital. If you are near Northwestern Memorial or Rush University Medical Center, you can also go directly to the emergency room entrance.
Is there urgent care in Wicker Park?＋
Midwest Express Clinic at 1520 N Damen Ave in Wicker Park handles walk-in urgent care from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The Damen Blue Line station is a 4-minute walk. For after-hours emergencies, Ascension Saint Mary on West Division Street is open 24 hours.
Can I get a virtual doctor visit while staying in Chicago?＋
Northwestern Medicine and Rush University both offer telehealth visits through their MyChart apps. You can book a same-day virtual appointment for minor illnesses, prescription questions, and follow-up care without leaving your hotel. This works well for travelers in the Loop, River North, or Lincoln Park who have a minor issue and want to avoid a clinic trip.
