Lurie Children’s Hospital: Pediatric Care & Info

Chicago Pediatric Hospital Guide

Lurie Children’s Hospital pediatric care, doctors, appointments, ER, costs, parking and visitor information

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a major pediatric academic medical center in downtown Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood. The main hospital at 225 E. Chicago Avenue provides pediatric emergency and trauma care, surgery, heart care, cancer and blood-disorder treatment, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, transplantation, intensive care, fetal care, imaging, laboratory services and many other pediatric specialties.

This guide brings the practical information into one place: exact entrance and emergency directions, appointment numbers, current physician names, published clinic hours, self-parking and valet fees, visitor limits, insurance changes for 2026, billing, estimates, financial assistance, medical-record charges, laboratory hours, pharmacy hours, dining, interpreters, CTA routes, shuttle service and what families should bring to an appointment.

225 E. Chicago Avenue Pediatric ER 24/7 70 pediatric specialties 1,800+ physicians & allied professionals Downtown Chicago

Reviewed: August 19, 2026. The current visitor policy took effect December 30, 2025. Insurance, doctor availability, clinic locations and temporary visitor restrictions can change.

Medical emergency: call 911. Lurie Children’s Kenneth & Anne Griffin Emergency Care Center is staffed 24 hours a day by pediatric emergency medicine specialists. Hospital/Emergency Care Center contact: 312-227-4000.
Main hospital 225 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-227-4000
Appointments 1-800-543-7362
1-800-KIDS-DOC
Emergency Department 24 hours / 7 days
Emergency Care Center
Self parking $13 under 7 hours
$18 for 7–24 hours
Valet parking $16 under 7 hours
$21 for 7–24 hours
Cost estimates 312-227-1222
Patient Financial Services

Lurie Children’s Hospital quick facts

The full official name is Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The main hospital is at 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611, on the campus of its academic partner, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Main hospital

Streeterville, Chicago

The hospital sits east of Michigan Avenue near Northwestern’s downtown medical campus.

General information

312-227-4000

Use this number for the hospital operator, general facility questions and after-hours routing.

Appointments

1-800-KIDS-DOC

Call 1-800-543-7362 for appointments and referrals.

Provider network

1,800+

The current provider directory includes more than 1,800 physicians and allied health professionals.

Specialties

70 pediatric specialties

The hospital’s provider directory spans dozens of pediatric medical and surgical specialties.

Academic care

Northwestern affiliation

Lurie Children’s physicians hold academic appointments through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Lurie Children’s current 2025–26 hospital information identifies it as the top-ranked children’s hospital in Illinois and notes national ranking across 11 pediatric specialties.

Start here: which Lurie Children’s service do you need?

Life-threatening emergency
Call 911 or go directly to the Kenneth & Anne Griffin Emergency Care Center.
New specialist appointment
Call 1-800-543-7362 — 1-800-KIDS-DOC.
Existing patient
Use MyChart or contact the established specialty team.
Hospital information
Call 312-227-4000.
Insurance question
Financial counselor: 312-227-1230.
Cost estimate
Patient Financial Services: 312-227-1222.
Billing question
Call 312-227-7181, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Financial assistance
Call 877-924-8200.
Medical records
Health Information Management: 312-227-5220.
Language interpreter
Interpreting Services: 312-227-3290.

Lurie Children’s Emergency Room: entrance, hours and emergency fees

The Kenneth & Anne Griffin Emergency Care Center is staffed around the clock by board-certified pediatric emergency medicine specialists and fellows. It handles more than 60,000 emergency visits per year.

Where is the Emergency Department?

The Emergency Care Center is off the second-floor lobby of the main hospital.

Families can reach it in two ways:

  1. From the Reyes Lobby on the second floor.
  2. From the first-floor lobby near the Superior Street entrance; elevators by the security desk go directly to the Emergency Care Center.

Emergency/hospital phone: 312-227-4000.

When should a child go to the pediatric ER?

Lurie Children’s identifies examples of conditions that can require immediate emergency evaluation, including serious or worsening illness, significant trouble breathing, severe asthma, loss of consciousness, major trauma and a fever of 100.4°F or higher in a newborn younger than two months.

If a child appears critically ill or cannot be transported safely, call 911 instead of driving to the hospital.

What is the Lurie Children’s ER fee?

Lurie Children’s does not publish one simple flat “Emergency Room fee” that applies to every child.

The hospital publishes its complete machine-readable standard-charge file, but the Emergency Department bill depends on the actual level and resources used. Hospital charges can include the facility, nursing, equipment, laboratory testing, imaging, medication, supplies and procedures.

Professional physician fees are separate from the hospital’s published facility charges. An emergency physician, radiologist, surgeon, anesthesiologist or another specialist can generate professional charges in addition to the hospital bill.

How can a family get a cost estimate?

Call 312-227-1222 for Lurie Children’s cost-estimate assistance. MyChart also provides a cost-estimation tool for many common planned services.

An emergency visit cannot usually be priced accurately before evaluation because the tests and level of treatment are not yet known.

How to make an appointment at Lurie Children’s

Appointments and referrals: 1-800-543-7362 — 1-800-KIDS-DOC. Existing patients can also use MyChart for many appointment functions.
Identify the specialty. Be ready to explain why your child needs care and which specialist or program was recommended.
Complete registration. Lurie Children’s asks families to review registration through MyChart or call 1-800-KIDS-DOC, option 4, at least 24 hours before the appointment.
Check the referral. Some insurance plans—especially HMOs—require a referral before the specialist visit or diagnostic test.
Confirm the location. Lurie Children’s specialists may practice at the downtown hospital and suburban outpatient centers.
Complete MyChart E-Check In. Insurance cards, consent forms and other registration details can be completed before arrival.

How early should you arrive?

For a normal outpatient visit, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.

If registration has not been completed before the visit, Lurie Children’s recommends arriving 15–30 minutes early.

Arriving more than about 10–15 minutes late can result in the appointment being rescheduled, depending on the clinic.

How long can a first appointment take?

A first specialty visit may include a detailed medical history, physical examination and same-day testing. Lurie Children’s advises families that some initial visits can take up to three hours.

What should you bring?

  • Current insurance card
  • Required referral or authorization
  • Copayment
  • All medications the child takes
  • Name and phone number of the child’s pharmacy
  • Outside medical records
  • Relevant laboratory results
  • Outside imaging or imaging CDs when requested
  • Physician notes or evaluations from outside Lurie Children’s

New appointment consent forms

For a new appointment, required consent forms must be signed by a legal guardian. Return-appointment documentation may remain valid for one year but can need renewal. If required authorization documents are missing, the visit may need to be rescheduled.

Lurie Children’s doctors and major pediatric specialists

The hospital’s current directory contains more than 1,800 physicians and allied health professionals across 70 pediatric specialties. The names below are current leaders and specialists from major programs rather than an artificial “all doctors” list that would quickly become outdated.
Doctor Current published role Appointment route
Thomas H. Inge, MD, PhD Surgeon-in-Chief; Chair, Department of Surgery; Director, Pediatric Bariatric Surgery Program 1-800-543-7362
Mehul V. Raval, MD, MS, FACS, FAAP Division Head, Pediatric Surgery; Vice Chair of Quality and Safety, Department of Surgery 1-800-543-7362
Stuart Berger, MD Division Head, Pediatric Cardiology; Co-Director, Heart Center 1-800-543-7362
David S. Winlaw, MD, FRACS Division Head, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Co-Executive Director, Heart Center 1-800-543-7362
Sandi K. Lam, MD, MBA Division Head, Neurosurgery; Yeager Professorship in Pediatric Neurosurgery 1-800-543-7362
Erik C. King, MD, MS Division Head, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine 1-800-543-7362
Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, MBA, FACS Division Head, Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery 1-800-543-7362
Brenda L. Bohnsack, MD, PhD Division Head, Ophthalmology 1-800-543-7362
Elizabeth B. Yerkes, MD Interim Division Head, Urology; Director, Neuro-urology; Co-Director, Reconstructive Pediatric Urology 1-800-543-7362
Kiona Y. Allen, MD Medical Director, Regenstein Cardiac Care Unit and Single Ventricle Center of Excellence 1-800-543-7362
Michael R. Carr, MD Clinical Practice Director and Attending Physician, Cardiology 1-800-543-7362
Philip T. Thrush, MD Section Head, Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplantation; Medical Director, Pediatric Heart Transplant Program 1-800-543-7362
Robert Gregory Webster, MD, MPH Section Chief, Electrophysiology 1-800-543-7362
Mark D. Adler, MD Attending Physician, Emergency Medicine; Director, kidSTAR Healthcare Education Program Emergency Department / hospital operator
Heba H. Akbari, MD Attending Physician, Neurology 1-800-543-7362
Tord D. Alden, MD Attending Physician, Neurosurgery 1-800-543-7362

Current Lurie Children’s pediatric surgeons

The Division of Pediatric Surgery says its team includes 18 surgeons, plus fellows and advanced practice clinicians. Current published pediatric surgery physicians include:

Thomas H. Inge, MD, PhD

Surgeon-in-Chief, Chair of Surgery and pediatric bariatric surgery specialist.

Mehul V. Raval, MD, MS, FACS, FAAP

Division Head, Pediatric Surgery.

Amir Alhajjat, MD

Pediatric Surgery and Chicago Institute for Fetal Health.

Guillermo J. Ares, MD

Attending Physician, Pediatric Surgery.

Anthony C. Chin, MD, MS, MBA

Pediatric surgeon; Director of ECMO and Surgical Critical Care.

Alexander Dzakovic, MD

Pediatric Surgery and Transplant.

Seth D. Goldstein, MD, MPhil

Pediatric surgeon; Director of Surgical Simulation; Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Program Director.

Julia E. Grabowski, MD, FACS

Attending Physician, Pediatric Surgery.

David F. Grabski, MD, PhD

Attending Physician, Pediatric Surgery.

Yue-Yung Hu, MD, MPH

Attending Physician, Pediatric Surgery.

Rashmi Kabre, MD

Pediatric surgeon and Director of Trauma Services.

Timothy B. Lautz, MD

Pediatric surgeon; Director of Surgical Oncology; Vice Chair of Clinical Operations.

Benjamin T. Many, MD, MS

Pediatric surgeon with Colorectal Center and Pectus Program involvement.

Erin E. Rowell, MD

Pediatric surgeon; fetal health and fertility-preservation leadership roles.

Aimen F. Shaaban, MD

Director, Chicago Institute for Fetal Health; Attending Physician, Pediatric Surgery.

Riccardo A. Superina, MD

Surgical Director, Intestinal and Liver Transplant Programs.

For the actual surgeon assigned to a child’s condition and current appointment availability, call 1-800-543-7362.

Lurie Children’s doctor timing: which days are doctors available?

Lurie Children’s does not publish one permanent Monday-through-Sunday shift schedule for all of its specialists. A doctor’s profile may identify specialty and clinic location, but clinic sessions can change because of surgery, inpatient service, procedures, research, leave and satellite-clinic responsibilities.

For that reason, this article does not invent statements such as “Dr. X works Tuesday 9–5.”

Actual published service and clinic hours

Service / program Published schedule What it means
Emergency Care Center 24 hours / 7 days Pediatric emergency specialists are continuously available; patients do not book an individual ED doctor.
Complex Care Program Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Office hours. Calls are normally returned within one business day.
Allergy / Hives / Asthma office Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Program office hours; specific specialist appointment sessions vary.
Main Hospital Outpatient Lab Mon-Thu 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat-Sun 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Laboratory service hours.
Medical Imaging Child Life Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Child Life availability for imaging support, not radiologist office hours.
Surgical Services Child Life Tue-Fri 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Child Life support availability in surgery.
MRI Try Without Anesthesia support Wed-Thu noon-4 p.m.; Fri 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Published Child Life support schedule.

How to find a specific doctor’s next clinic day

  1. Call 1-800-543-7362.
  2. Give the specialist’s full name.
  3. Explain whether the child is a new or established patient.
  4. Ask which Lurie Children’s location the doctor currently sees patients at.
  5. Ask for the earliest available appointment.
  6. If that physician has a long wait, ask for another doctor in the same pediatric subspecialty.

Major pediatric specialties at Lurie Children’s

Emergency Medicine

24-hour pediatric emergency and trauma care.

Heart Center

Cardiology, cardiac imaging, catheterization, electrophysiology, cardiac critical care, congenital heart surgery and transplant.

Cancer & Blood Disorders

Leukemia, lymphoma, solid tumors, hematology, stem-cell transplantation and survivorship care.

Neurology

Epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, movement disorders, neuroimmunology, headache and other neurological conditions.

Neurosurgery

Brain, spine, hydrocephalus, tumors, epilepsy surgery and complex pediatric neurosurgery.

Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Fractures, scoliosis, limb conditions, sports injuries, hip problems and pediatric orthopedic surgery.

Pediatric Surgery

General surgery, minimally invasive surgery, colorectal care, surgical oncology, chest-wall care and complex congenital surgery.

Fetal Health

Multidisciplinary fetal evaluation and selected fetal interventions through the Chicago Institute for Fetal Health.

Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

Digestive disease, liver disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, motility and complex gastrointestinal surgery.

Neonatology

Advanced care for premature and critically ill newborns.

Nephrology

Kidney disease, hypertension, dialysis and kidney transplantation.

Pulmonary Medicine

Asthma, cystic fibrosis, sleep-related breathing conditions and complex lung disease.

Urology

Congenital urinary conditions, neuro-urology and reconstructive pediatric urology.

ENT

Ear, nose, throat, airway, hearing and head-and-neck surgery.

Ophthalmology

Pediatric eye disorders, congenital disease and eye surgery.

Endocrinology

Diabetes, growth, thyroid, puberty and other hormonal conditions.

Genetics & Rare Diseases

Genetic diagnosis, counseling and inherited/metabolic disease care.

Psychiatry & Behavioral Health

Pediatric psychiatry, psychology and behavioral-health programs.

Rehabilitation

Physical, occupational, speech and other pediatric rehabilitation services.

Transplant

Kidney, liver, intestinal and heart transplant programs with specialty follow-up.

Critical Care

Pediatric and cardiac intensive-care services for critically ill children.

Lurie Children’s doctor fees, hospital charges and cost estimates

There is no one flat Lurie Children’s specialist consultation fee. Families can receive separate hospital and physician charges, and the amount owed depends heavily on insurance benefits and what is done during the visit.

Why can one appointment create more than one bill?

At a hospital outpatient center, the hospital may bill for the room, equipment, nursing and other facility resources while the physician bills for professional medical services.

For example, if a child receives an X-ray:

  • The hospital may bill for the imaging equipment and clinical staff.
  • A physician/radiologist may separately bill for professional interpretation.

Nurse-only visit charges

Lurie Children’s specifically explains that a nurse-only visit can still generate a charge. Examples include:

  • Vaccines or injections
  • Vital-sign checks
  • Dressing changes
  • Stitch removal

These visits use professional nursing care and supplies even if a physician or advanced practice provider does not personally enter the room.

Does Lurie Children’s publish hospital prices?

Yes. The hospital publishes a machine-readable standard-charge file containing non-discounted charges and reimbursement information for inpatient stays, outpatient diagnostic services and procedures.

Those standard charges are not the same as the amount a family normally owes. Insurance discounts, deductibles, copays, coinsurance and financial assistance can materially change the patient responsibility.

How to get a patient-specific estimate

Cost Estimate Help: 312-227-1222.

The MyChart cost estimator can check insurance benefits and produce an estimate for many common procedures.

Insurance accepted at Lurie Children’s in 2026

Major 2026 change: beginning January 1, 2026, Lurie Children’s states that it is not contracted with any Marketplace/Exchange insurance plan, inside or outside Illinois.

Commercial plans currently listed

  • Aetna — multiple Choice, HMO, POS, PPO and Signature Administrators products
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield — selected HMO, PPO and Blue Choice products
  • Cigna — selected EPO, Network, POS, Open Access Plus and PPO products
  • Coventry Health Care
  • First Health
  • Healthlink
  • HealthSmart Preferred Care
  • HFN
  • Humana — HMO, PPO and selected POS products
  • Imagine Health / SmartCare
  • Integrated Health Plan
  • MercyCare — approved PCP referral required
  • Multiplan
  • PHCS / Private Healthcare Systems
  • Security Health Plan
  • UnitedHealthcare — multiple Choice, Core, Navigate, NexusACO, Options and Select products

Important Blue Cross exception

Lurie Children’s specifically lists Blue Cross Choice PPO with BCS/BCE networks as not accepted/not contracted.

2026 Illinois Medicaid managed-care plans accepted

  • Aetna Better Health
  • Blue Cross Community Family Health Plan
  • CountyCare
  • Meridian Health Plan
  • Molina Healthcare
  • YouthCare

Lurie Children’s states that it continues to serve patients enrolled in Medicaid.

Insurance counselor

If a plan is not clearly listed, call 312-227-1230.

Mental health, rehabilitation, dental and eye services can use separate specialty networks even when the general hospital is covered. Verify both the hospital and the specific provider/service with the insurer.

Financial assistance, charity care and payment plans

Lurie Children’s provides financial assistance based on documented financial need and helps families investigate other available programs.

Available assistance can include

  • Help applying for public aid for eligible inpatients
  • Referral to Illinois Division of Specialized Care for Children programs
  • Payment arrangements
  • Payment plans for deductibles and coinsurance
  • Charity/financial assistance based on documented need
  • Discounts for qualifying uninsured patients

How long do families have to apply?

A family can apply starting on the date care is first provided through 240 days after the first post-discharge billing statement for that care.

Financial assistance contact

877-924-8200.

Families can also ask about assistance through the Admitting Department on the hospital’s 12th floor.

Financial assistance service hours

The hospital’s billing information lists assistance staff as available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m..

Payment plans in MyChart

Eligible balances may be placed on automatic monthly payment plans. Hospital and physician balances may require separate payment plans rather than one combined arrangement.

Lurie Children’s billing and payment information

Since January 1, 2025, providers have been consolidated into Lurie Children’s Medical Group. Families can receive bills from Lurie Children’s Medical Group and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Billing questions

Phone: 312-227-7181
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: closed

Estimate questions

312-227-1222.

Ways to pay

  • MyChart
  • MyChart Guest Pay
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • HSA card
  • Bank account
  • Automatic payment plan when eligible

What is collected at check-in?

Lurie Children’s requests applicable copays, coinsurance and deductibles at or before the visit.

If a service is not covered by insurance, the hospital may request a minimum payment on the day of service and bill the remaining balance.

Lurie Children’s medical records: fees, phone and processing time

Health Information Management

Phone: 312-227-5220
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fax: 312-227-9733

How long does a records request take?

The hospital advises allowing time for processing. Certain requests are handled in approximately 3–5 business days, while the medical-record FAQ states that copies are typically processed within 10 business days. For planning purposes, allow up to 10 business days unless the HIM team gives a shorter timeframe.

Medical-record copy fees

Pages Medical-record copy fee Microfilm / electronic-document rate published by hospital
Pages 1–25 $0.96 per page $1.60 per page
Pages 26–50 $0.64 per page $1.60 per page
Pages 51+ $0.32 per page $1.60 per page
There is no charge when health-information copies are sent directly to another healthcare provider at that provider’s address.

Medical imaging copies

Imaging is generally shared through a secure electronic link.

Digital Health imaging-copy questions: 312-227-3516
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Allow approximately 3–5 business days for imaging requests.

Where is HIM in the main hospital?

For hospitalized patients completing a request at discharge, Health Information Management is located on the 9th floor.

Lurie Children’s MyChart

MyChart gives families secure access to portions of the child’s electronic medical record.

What families can do

  • View appointments
  • Schedule eligible appointments
  • Send messages to participating care teams
  • View laboratory results
  • Review medication information
  • Request prescription renewals
  • Complete E-Check In
  • Upload insurance cards
  • Sign consent forms
  • Use the cost-estimator tool
  • View and pay hospital/physician bills

MyChart itself is a free service for Lurie Children’s patients and families.

Lurie Children’s main hospital laboratory hours

Outpatient Laboratory Services at the main hospital are located on the 3rd and 4th floors. Appointments are recommended for faster service, but walk-ins are available.
DayMain hospital outpatient lab hours
Monday6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday7 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday7 a.m.-3 p.m.
HolidaysVaries — call before arriving

Lab appointment / information: 312-227-6350.

Walk-ins

Walk-in laboratory visits are accepted, but having an appointment can shorten the visit.

What to bring

  • Laboratory order if one was provided
  • Insurance information
  • Any preparation instructions from the ordering clinician

Urine collection

If a young child is diapered or may have difficulty providing a urine sample independently, Lurie Children’s recommends arriving about 30 minutes before the scheduled collection so staff can help.

Lurie Children’s pharmacy hours and services

Walgreens pharmacy inside Lurie Children’s

The pediatric-focused Walgreens pharmacy is on the 3rd floor of the main hospital.

DayHours
Monday-Friday8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday9 a.m.-4 p.m.
SundayNo regular public Sunday hours listed

Phone: 312-573-2287.

Pharmacy services

  • Fill prescriptions before leaving the hospital
  • Selected bedside prescription delivery
  • Pediatric medication compounding
  • Medication flavoring
  • Help with medication costs
  • Prescription transfer to a neighborhood pharmacy

24/7 Walgreens pharmacist support

For Walgreens pharmacy assistance after the hospital pharmacy closes, the hospital lists 1-800-925-4733 for 24-hour pharmacist support.

Lurie Children’s Specialty Pharmacy

The health system also operates a specialty pharmacy in Schaumburg for selected specialty medicines.

Phone: 312-267-4678 or 888-607-6501
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Services include home delivery, insurance/prior-authorization support, copay-resource assistance, refill reminders and after-hours pharmacist support for enrolled patients.

Lurie Children’s Hospital parking fees and garage directions

For most main-hospital visits, use the Huron-Superior Garage. Validated parking costs $13 for less than 7 hours and $18 for 7–24 hours.

Huron-Superior Garage

Garage address: 222 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611.

How to reach the hospital from the garage

Enter the garage from Huron Street.
Park as close as practical to the southeast corner.
Take the garage elevator to the second floor.
Follow the hospital signs and walk through the garage pedway/bridge into Lurie Children’s.
Validate the ticket at the second-floor concierge desk before leaving.

Validated self-parking rates

Length of stayPatient / visitor rate
Less than 7 hours$13
7-24 hours$18

Longer inpatient stays

If the child will be hospitalized for an extended period or the family has many outpatient visits, ask the nurse or social worker about additional off-site parking options and shuttle arrangements.

Alternative garage

Families may also use the Erie-Ontario Garage a few blocks from the hospital.

Lurie Children’s valet parking fees and hours

Valet optionUnder 7 hours7-24 hours
Standard validated valet $16 $21
Handicap placard validated valet $13 $18

Valet hours: Monday-Friday, 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Parking longer than 24 hours can incur additional charges.

A valid handicap placard is needed for the reduced accessible-valet rate.

Lurie Children’s visiting hours and current visitor policy

The current inpatient visitor rules became effective December 30, 2025. Two healthy parents/guardians may remain with their child at all hours.

Parents and guardians

Two healthy parents/guardians may stay with the hospitalized child around the clock.

Additional adult visitors

Families may name up to four additional healthy adult support persons who may visit during regular visiting hours:

9 a.m.-9 p.m.

The inpatient tower closes to new visitors at 8:30 p.m., and existing visitors have until 9 p.m. to leave.

Support persons can be changed every 48 hours.

How many people can be in the room?

Inpatient areaMaximum on patient floor / room at one time
Acute Care Floors 17, 19, 20 and 214 people
Critical Care Floors 16 and 223 people

Sibling visits

If the child does not require isolation precautions, healthy siblings of any age may visit during normal 9 a.m.-9 p.m. visiting hours.

Families may also have up to two non-sibling child visitors, except in the NICU.

Isolation restrictions

If a patient requires Airborne or Droplet/Contact Plus precautions—for example certain cases of COVID-19, tuberculosis, measles or chickenpox—only parents are permitted.

For some other isolation precautions, healthy siblings must be at least 12 years old to visit.

Surgical Services

  • Two healthy parents/guardians may accompany the patient.
  • No siblings or other children are permitted.
  • No food or eating is permitted in surgical waiting areas.

Outpatient visits

  • Two healthy parents/guardians may accompany the child.
  • Healthy patient siblings may attend.
  • Other children who are not siblings are not permitted.

Visitor ID and security

Visitors age 18 and older must show valid government-issued identification and are subject to the hospital’s electronic visitor-management background check. Approved adults receive a photo visitor badge that must remain visible.

NICU rules can be more restrictive than the general policy. Ask NICU staff for the current bedside rules.

CTA trains, buses and Lurie Children’s shuttle service

CTA train stations

  • Red Line: Chicago station at Chicago and State.
  • Brown/Purple Line: Chicago station at Chicago and Franklin.

CTA buses stopping near Chicago Avenue / hospital

  • #3 King Drive
  • #10 Museum of Science and Industry
  • #26 South Shore Express
  • #66 Chicago Avenue
  • #125 Water Tower Express
  • #157 Streeterville/Taylor

Buses near Michigan and Huron

  • #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express
  • #147 Outer Drive Express
  • #151 Sheridan

Main Hospital ↔ Lincoln Park shuttle

Hospital pickup/drop-off is at the southeast / Superior Street corner of the main hospital driveway near the Emergency Department entrance.

Monday-Friday:
6 a.m.-6 p.m. — about every 20 minutes
6 p.m.-8 p.m. — about every 60 minutes

Main Hospital ↔ Ronald McDonald House shuttle

Ronald McDonald House: 211 E. Grand Avenue
Daily: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes

Free interpreters, Spanish and ASL services

Lurie Children’s interpreter services are free for patients and families. Interpreting Services: 312-227-3290.

Spanish interpreters

In-person Spanish interpreting is available 7 a.m.-midnight, seven days a week.

Other in-person languages

The hospital has access to interpreters in languages including:

  • Polish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • Bosnian/Croatian
  • Russian
  • Serbian
  • Vietnamese

Phone interpretation

Phone-based interpretation is available at all times in more than 180 languages.

ASL

In-person and video-remote American Sign Language interpreters are available. Scheduled interpretation can be arranged in advance, and emergency interpretation can be accessed through hospital staff.

Video remote interpretation

Current video-remote options include:

  • American Sign Language
  • Arabic
  • Cantonese
  • Mandarin
  • Polish
  • Somali
  • Spanish
  • Vietnamese

Family support, Child Life and inpatient resources

Child Life specialists

Child Life specialists help children prepare for tests, procedures and hospitalization using age-appropriate education, play and coping techniques.

Published Child Life availability examples

AreaCurrent published availability
Cardiac outpatient services Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Medical Imaging Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Emergency Department Sun-Thu 9 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Fri-Sat 2 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Otolaryngology Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Surgical Services Tue-Fri 6 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Family Great Rooms

Inpatient floors 12 through 22 have Family Great Rooms just beyond the elevator corridors.

These areas provide:

  • Family seating
  • Eating areas
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator for limited family food
  • Vending machines
  • Television
  • Sibling play areas
  • Family information stations

Ronald McDonald House

A Ronald McDonald House is located nearby at 211 E. Grand Avenue. A free hospital shuttle operates between the main hospital and Ronald McDonald House daily from approximately 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lurie Children’s cafeteria, room service and gift shop hours

Patient room service

Daily: 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Meals are generally delivered within about 45 minutes or at a requested time. Families can pre-order patient meals as far as 72 hours in advance.

From outside the hospital, patient room service can be reached at 312-227-5190.

Sky Café — 11th floor

MealMonday-FridaySaturday-Sunday
Breakfast6:30-10 a.m.6:30-9 a.m.
Lunch11 a.m.-2 p.m.11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dinner5-7 p.m.5-7 p.m.
Late night11 p.m.-4:30 a.m.
Closed 2-3 a.m.
Not listed as regular weekend service

Cafeteria hours can vary with staffing.

Potbelly — first floor

Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Phone: 312-837-4896.

Gift Shop — 11th floor

DayHours
Monday-Friday8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Gift Shop phone: 312-227-3400.

The gift shop carries toys, games, books, hospital merchandise and non-latex balloons.

Flowers and plants are not allowed in many inpatient units. Check with the child’s unit before arranging a delivery.

Preparing for imaging, sedation and surgery

Imaging

Families should normally arrive at least 15 minutes before scheduled imaging and bring:

  • Medication information
  • Outside records
  • Prior imaging
  • Insurance card
  • Referral/order when required

Sedation

When sedation is scheduled, Lurie Children’s provides individual instructions. Its general fasting guidance is:

Time before sedationGeneral restriction
8 hoursStop solid food
6 hoursStop formula, store-bought milk and non-clear liquids
4 hoursStop breast milk
2 hoursStop clear liquids such as water, apple juice or Pedialyte
Follow the child’s specific sedation instructions even if they differ from this general guide. Do not change fasting or medication instructions without the clinical team’s direction.

Sedation questions: 312-227-4461.

Sedation visits average about four hours, and the hospital asks families to arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Important Lurie Children’s Hospital phone numbers

Main hospital / operator
Appointments & referrals
1-800-543-7362 — 1-800-KIDS-DOC
Cost estimates
Insurance counselor
Billing questions
312-227-7181 — Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Financial assistance
Health Information Management
Medical Records fax
312-227-9733
Imaging copy support
Outpatient Laboratory
Main hospital pharmacy
Specialty Pharmacy
Interpreting Services
Child Life — Emergency Department
Child Life — Medical Imaging
312-227-1702 / 312-227-3274
Child Life — Otolaryngology
Complex Care Program
Gift Shop
Patient room service
Sedation questions

Lurie Children’s Hospital Google Map

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
225 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611

For self-parking, navigate to the Huron-Superior Garage at 222 E. Huron Street, then take the elevator to the second floor and follow the bridge/pedway signs to the hospital.

Information that must still be checked live

Common question Information included here What must be confirmed live
Which day does Dr. X work? Current physician name, specialty and department The doctor’s actual next clinic date and location
How much is a doctor visit? Hospital/physician billing structure and estimate contact Exact professional fee and insurance responsibility
What is the emergency fee? ER operates 24/7; hospital and doctor billing explained Final emergency level, testing, procedures and insurance share
Is my insurance accepted? Current commercial, Medicaid and 2026 Exchange rules Exact product, specialty network and prior authorization
Can my sibling visit today? Current general visitor rules Isolation, NICU or temporary infection-control restrictions
What time is my appointment? Scheduling route and clinic preparation rules Live MyChart / scheduling inventory

Lurie Children’s Hospital FAQs

1. What is the address of Lurie Children’s Hospital?

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is at 225 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. The main hospital phone number is 312-227-4000.

2. Is Lurie Children’s Emergency Room open 24 hours?

Yes. The Kenneth & Anne Griffin Emergency Care Center is staffed 24 hours a day by pediatric emergency medicine specialists. It can be reached from the second-floor Reyes Lobby or by elevators near the first-floor Superior Street entrance.

3. How do I make an appointment at Lurie Children’s?

Call 1-800-543-7362, also known as 1-800-KIDS-DOC. Existing patients can also use MyChart for many appointment functions. Families should complete registration before the visit when possible and generally arrive at least 15 minutes early.

4. How much does parking cost at Lurie Children’s?

Validated self-parking in the Huron-Superior Garage costs $13 for less than seven hours and $18 for seven to 24 hours. Validation is available at the hospital’s second-floor concierge desk.

5. How much is valet parking at Lurie Children’s?

Validated valet is $16 for less than seven hours and $21 for seven to 24 hours. With an eligible handicap placard, the rates are $13 and $18 respectively. Valet operates Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

6. What are Lurie Children’s visiting hours?

Two healthy parents or guardians may remain with an inpatient at all hours. Four additional healthy adult support people may be listed for visits during regular visiting hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The inpatient tower closes to new visitors at 8:30 p.m. Unit and isolation restrictions can be stricter.

7. Does Lurie Children’s accept Marketplace insurance in 2026?

No. Lurie Children’s states that as of January 1, 2026 it is not contracted with any Marketplace or Exchange insurance plans, inside or outside Illinois. It continues to participate with many employer/commercial plans and Illinois Medicaid managed-care plans.

8. How much does a Lurie Children’s doctor visit cost?

There is no single flat specialist fee. A hospital-based visit can include a physician professional charge and a separate hospital/facility charge, plus testing or treatment. Families can call 312-227-1222 or use the MyChart estimator for a personalized estimate.

9. How do I get medical records from Lurie Children’s?

Call Health Information Management at 312-227-5220. The office operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Formal requests can be submitted by fax, mail or authorization form, and many records can also be viewed through MyChart.

10. What are the Lurie Children’s laboratory and pharmacy hours?

The main outpatient laboratory is open Monday through Thursday 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The third-floor Walgreens pharmacy is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Official resources for live actions

The useful information from Lurie Children’s current patient pages has been summarized directly above. These official links remain only where the task requires current/live information:

Editorial verification note: The article intentionally does not fabricate individual physician shifts, a universal consultation fee or a fixed Emergency Department charge. Those are determined by live scheduling, the individual service, medical complexity and the patient’s insurance coverage.