Getting to Know Chicago - Chicago with Kids - page 67

almost always open during the evening hours all week. Most shops (other
than those in the Loop) are now open on Sunday as well, usually from
noon to 5pm. Malls are generally open until 7pm and on Sunday as well.
Banking hours in Chicago are normally from 9am (8am, in some cases) to
5pm Monday through Friday, with select banks remaining open later on
specified afternoons and evenings.
Car Rentals See “Getting Around,” earlier in this chapter.
Dentists The 24-hour referral service of the Chicago Dental Society
( & 630/978-5745 ) can refer you to an area dentist. You also might try your
hotel concierge or desk staff, who often keep a list of dentists.
Doctors In the event of a medical emergency, your best bet—unless you
have friends who can recommend a doctor—is to rely on your hotel physi-
cian or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. The Chicago Medical
Society ( & 312/670-2550; www.cmsdocs.org) makes free referrals on week-
days from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Northwestern Memorial Hospital also has a
Physician Referral Service ( & 877/926-4664 ). See also “Hospitals,” below.
Driving Rules See “Getting Around,” earlier in this chapter.
Drugstores Walgreens, 757 N. Michigan Ave., at E. Chicago Street ( & 312/
664-4000 ), is open 24 hours. Two other 24-hour locations are 641 N. Clark
St., at W. Ontario Street ( & 312/587-0904 ), and 1200 N. Dearborn, at W.
Division Street ( & 312/943-0971 ). Osco Drugs has a toll-free number
( & 800/654-6726 ) that you can call to locate the 24-hour pharmacy near-
est you.
Embassies & Consulates See appendix A, “For International Visitors.”
Emergencies For fire or police emergencies, call & 911. The nonemer-
gency phone number for the Chicago Police Department is & 311. The city
of Chicago proclaims the following policy: “In emergency, dial 911 and a
city ambulance will respond free of charge to the patient. The ambulance
will take the patient to the nearest emergency room according to geo-
graphic location.” If you desire a specific, nonpublic ambulance, call
Chicago Ambulance ( & 773/521-7777 ).
Hospitals The best hospital emergency room in Chicago is, by consensus,
at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 251 E. Huron St. ( & 312/926-2000;
www.nmh.org), a state-of-the-art medical center right off North Michigan
Avenue. The emergency department ( & 312/926-5188 or 312/944-2358
for TDD access) is located at 251 E. Erie St., near Fairbanks Court. For an
ambulance, dial & 911.
Internet Access Many Chicago hotels have business centers with comput-
ers available for guests' use. Computers with Internet access are also avail-
able to the public at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State
St. ( & 312/747-4300 ) and at the Internet cafe inside the Apple computer
store, 679 N. Michigan Ave. ( & 312/981-4104 ).
Liquor Laws Most bars and taverns have a 2am license, allowing them to
stay open until 3am Sunday (Sat night); some have a 4am license and may
remain open until 5am on Sunday.
Maps See “City Layout,” in section 1, “Orientation,” earlier in this chapter.