Community - Everyday Services
Keeping Streeterville a Neighborhood: SOAR Guide to Everyday Services.
The Guide is a "resident to resident" roadmap to easy living in Streeterville. This is a "work in progress," so visit this site for regular updates.
Many thanks to Ed Parker and his volunteer team from SOAR's Aging Issues Council for making The Guide useful and useable!
Send comments to: contact@soarchicago.org
Click on any of the categories below to see that section of the services list.
Continuing education
Grocers that deliver
Hardware stores that deliver
Pharmacies that deliver
Pharmacies: 24 hour
Transportation: short term car sharing
Transportation for seniors
Fourth Presbyterian Church: Center for Life & Learning
126 East Chestnut Street
312-981-3386
Church membership is not required. All faiths, or none, are welcome.
Calendar: Fall, spring, and summer sessions.
Most courses meet once a week, a few twice a week, plus mini courses.
Program: The Center offers a variety of lecture/discussion courses in the humanities, history, and current events. It also offers courses in exercise, wellness, arts and writing, computers, and foreign languages.
Tuition: $150 for any or all courses during a year. Tuition for couples is $225 per year.
To obtain information and receive schedules and course listings, call the phone number above or stop by in person.
Loyola University: School of Continuing & Professional Education
820 North Michigan Avenue
Lewis Towers, Room 401
312-915-6507
Calendar: Fall and spring semesters.
Most humanities courses meet once a week for 6-8 weeks. Business courses and writing workshops are much shorter.
Program: The liberal arts/humanities track provides a wide variety of instructor-led courses in the areas of art & architecture, current events, film, religion and philosophy, Spanish language, and music.
Tuition: $275-$375 per course, depending on its length.
To obtain information and receive schedules and course listings, call the phone number above or consult the website: http://www.luc.edu/continuum
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Avenue
312-280-2660
Hours: Mon, closed; Tue, 10am-8pm; Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm
Free admission, all day Tuesday
Calendar: Fall, winter, spring
Program: The museum offers lectures, panels, classes, and workshops. Lectures and panels are related to current exhibits in the Museum. They are free with museum admission, but registration is required. Workshops emphasize hands-on art projects. Classes and workshops may be as short as one day or extend over several weeks.
Tuition: Lectures and panels are free with museum admission. For classes and workshops, prices vary. A one-day class might be $40 and a six week class $220.
To obtain information and receive schedules and course listings, call the phone number above and ask to receiver the “educational brochure.” Alternatively, consult the website: http://www.mcachicago.org
Newberry Library
60 West Walton Street
312-255-3700
Calendar: Fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions. The history and literature lectures meet once per topic. Seminars vary, with 1 to 10 sessions. The Wednesday Club meets once a month.
Program: Capitalizing on the strengths of the Newberry collections, the various programs focus on history, geography, genealogy, literature and theater, plus writing workshops.
Tuition: History and literature lectures are free. Seminars vary in price depending on the number of sessions with the tuition generally being about $20 per session. For the general public, Wednesday Club admission is $9, which includes wine or soft drinks, light snacks, and opportunities to socialize during the receptions.
To obtain information and receive schedules and course listings, call the phone number above to ask about “public programs” or to get on the mailing list. You can also consult the website: http://www.newberry.org
Northwestern Memorial Hospital: Health Learning Center
251 East Huron Street
Galter Pavillion, 3rd floor
312-926-5465 (Health Learning Program)
877-926-4664 (Healthy Transitions Program)
Calendar: Fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions.
Program: NMH offers such a rich variety of educational programs for those interested in health, disease, and wellness generally that it is difficult to generalize. Its Wellness Institute offers 11-session courses in fitness, weight control, smoking cessation, and exercise. Other parts of the Center offer classes, short courses, lectures, and support groups for those dealing with or interested in a variety of difficult medical conditions. For those over 55 years of age, the Healthy Transitions Program offers lectures on a variety of health issues common for that age group.
Tuition: Tuition varies, and many short courses and lectures are free of charge. For the 11-session courses, one course costs $143 and any four courses cost $440. Pregnancy and post-partum short courses cost about $45. Mini-med school lectures are $15 for one lecture or $40 for the series. Lectures in the Healthy Transitions Program are free of charge.
To obtain information or get on the mailing lists, call the phone numbers above or consult the following website: http://www.nmh.org. Once at the website, click on the “Health Resources” tab or on any of the links under that tab.
Northwestern University: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
339 East Chicago Avenue
Wiebolt Hall, 7th floor
312-503-7881
Calendar: Fall, spring, summer sessions, with a winter mini session. Classes, meet 1day a week for 15 weeks during fall, spring, and summer semesters, and 1 day a week for 5 weeks during the winter mini session.
Program: The Institute offers a variety of courses in the liberal arts and sciences in the areas of literature, history, the natural sciences, the social sciences, writing, and current events. All courses involve peer learning with coordinators in seminar settings—as distinguished from traditional instructor-led courses.
Tuition: $525 for the full year, taking up to 3 courses each session. Half year tuition is $360. Trial members may take one course to test the waters. Trial membership is $150. Financial assistance is available.
To obtain information and receive schedules and course listings, call the phone number above or consult the website: http://www.scs.northwestern.edu/OLLI.
Pritzker Military Library
610 North Fairbanks Court – 2nd Floor
312-587-0234
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-4:30pm
Calendar: A rolling schedule of presentations is offered throughout the year (generally on Thursday evenings). The schedule is lighter during the summer months.
Program: The library’s program focuses on military history broadly defined. Monthly, it offers “Front and Center,” a public affairs forum on military issues led by John Calloway. Interviews with and lectures by authors in the field are on the calendar as well as occasional interviews with Congressional Medal of Honor winners.
Tuition: All library programs are free and open to all.
To obtain information and receive schedules, call the phone number above or consult the following website: http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org.
University of Chicago: Graham School of General Studies
450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive
Gleacher Center
800-997-9689 (registrar)
Calendar: Fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions. Common course length is 8 weeks. Sessions may be conducted in the evening, days, or Saturdays.
Program: The Gleacher Center offers a variety of instructor-led courses, lectures, seminars, and certificate programs in the humanities, arts and sciences. The certificate programs are two to four years in length and include: great books of the Western tradition, great books of the Asian traditions, and creative writing.
Tuition: Tuition varies widely depending on length of program and resources needed. They range from $25 for one session in a lecture series, to $100 for a daylong seminar, and from $200 - $450 for multi-week courses.
To obtain information and receive course listings and schedules, call the phone number above or consult the following website: http://www.grahamschool.uchicago.edu.
Dominick’s
355 East Grand Avenue
312-279-1305
Hours: 6 am-1am, 7 days of the week
Delivery: up to $80, fee = $8; for every $10 over $80, fee = $1 No personal shopper service
Parking: 90 minutes free parking; enter garage on Grand Ave.
Fox & Obel
401 East Illinois Street
312-410-7301
Hours: Winter: Mon-Sat, 7am-9pm; Sun 7am-8pm
Spring: 7am-9pm, every day
Delivery: Free within Streeterville with a $50 purchase Personal shopper service: Phone in your order, add $9 shopping fee
Parking: Free valet parking
Peapod http://www.peapod.com
1-800-573-2763 (press option 1)
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-10pm; Sat-Sun, 7am-3:30pm
Delivery: All ordering is done on line, via the Internet Delivery is the day after the order is placed—orders can be placed up to 14 days in advance. Delivery charges based on amount of purchase with a minimum purchase of $50: $50-$75, fee = $9.95; $75-$100, fee = $7.95 over $100, fee = $6.95
Potash Brothers
875 North State Street
312-266-4200
Hours: Mon-Sat, 7am-10pm; Sun, 8am-9pm
Delivery: Delivery charge of $7 within Streeterville, with no minimum purchase.
Personal shopper service: Phone in your order, add $6 shopping fee.
On-line ordering, no shopping fee—http://www.potashbros.com.
Parking: 15 minute free parking in front of store.
Treasure Island
680 North Lake Shore Drive
312-664-0400
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-9pm; Sat, 7am-8pm; Sun, 8am-7pm
Delivery: Delivery charges within Streeterville based on amount of purchase:
- under $25, fee = $4; $25-$125, fee = $6; $125-$175, fee = $8.
Personal shopper service: Phone in your order, add $10 shopping fee.
Parking: Parking in building, free with minimum purchase of $10.
Gordon’s Ace Hardware
24 West Maple Street
312-787-6887
FAX: 312-787-9725
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-8pm; Sat, 8:30am-6pm; Sun, 10am-6pm
Delivery: Free local delivery with minimum purchase of $50
Streeterville Ace Hardware
680 North Lake Shore Drive
312-266-0900
FAX: 312-266-6260
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 8am-7pm; Sun, 10am-6pm
Delivery: Free local delivery with minimum purchase of $10
Carnegie-Sargent’s Pharmacy
Water Tower Place, 9th Floor
845 North Michigan Avenue
312-787-3046
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-6pm; Sat, 8:30am-3pm; Sun, closed
Delivery: Free within Streeterville
Parkway Drug
680 North Lake Shore Drive
312-943-2224
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm; Sat, 8am-6pm; Sun, 10am-4pm
Delivery: Free within Streeterville. Limited deliveries on week-ends.
Walgreens
342 East Illinois Street
312-476-0428
Pharmacy hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm; Sat, 9am-6pm, Sun, 10am-6pm
Delivery: Before 5pm, $6.50; after 5pm, variable.
Walgreens
933 North State Street
Pharmacy
312-943-0671
Pharmacy hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-10pm; Sat, 9am-6pm; Sun, 10am-6pm
Delivery: $6.25
Walgreens
1200 North Dearborn Street
312-943-0971
Pharmacist on duty 24 hours
No delivery
Walgreens
757 North Michigan Avenue
312-664-4000
Pharmacist on duty 24 hours
No delivery
Walgreens
641 North Clark Street
312-585-1416
Pharmacist on duty 24 hours
No delivery
Transportation: short term car sharing
Zipcar
Current Zipcar local pick up and drop off locations:
• 321 East Erie
• Columbus and Illinois
• Navy Pier
• 275 East Chestnut
• 777 North Michigan
• Clark and Superior
• Dearborn and Ohio
The basic idea is that you can join Zipcar and then reserve and rent cars by the hour or by the day, using a Zipcar card to pick up and drop off the car at any of these local locations. Your credit card is billed for your usage.
Costs vary with the size of the car, but the cars available in this area are predominantly $9 per hour or $66 per day with some at $10 per hour or $73 per day.
Included in these charges are gas, insurance, parking at these locations and 180 free miles per 24-hour period.
One must have access to the Internet to enroll and make reservations. Start up costs are: $50 annual fee plus a $25 one-time application fee. Any additional drivers absolutely must also enroll.
Enrollment is completed and information provided at the Zipcar website: http://www.zipcar.com. Information can also be obtained by phone at: 866-494-7227
I-GO Car Sharing
Current I-GO local pick up and drop off locations:
• 400 East Randolph
• 201 East Randolph
• 512 North McClurg Court
• 345 East Ohio
• 1 West Superior
• 50 East Bellevue
• 17 West Hubbard
I-GO works very similarly to Zipcar. You join the organization and then reserve and rent cars by the hour. You pick them up and drop them off at any of these local locations. Your credit card is billed for your usage.
Hourly prices seem somewhat lower than Zipcar, but there are fewer cars available at each location. There are two plans. On the plus plan, one pays $8.25 per hour with 25 free miles for each reserved hour. On the standard plan, one pays $6 per hour plus 50 cents per mile. Gas and insurance are included in the price of rental.
Having access to the Internet is advantageous for enrolling and information, but I-GO is friendly to phone transactions, including reservations. The website is: http://www.igocars.org. Phone: 773-278-4446
AARP Drivers’ Safety Program
1-888-227-7669
When taking a driver’s test is necessary, or when an older driver notices more problems while driving, AARP offers a refresher program to help seniors prepare for the test and otherwise learn safety skills needed as drivers begin to age. To find out when and where courses are available, call the phone number above. For those with Internet access, a quicker search can be made on the website: http://www.aarp,org/drive
Most courses are offered in two four-hour sessions. Cost is $10.
CTA/RTA Senior Fares
165 North Jefferson Street, 1st floor
312-664-7200
Hours: Mon-Fri. 8am-4:30pm
Both the CTA and the RTA provide reduced fares for those 65 years of age and older. There are no income restrictions to qualify. Authorization and a photograph ID are required. These can be obtained at the Jackson address indicated above or at a senior center. Proof of age must be shown at the time of the application.
There are two methods of pre-payment: With one method, the rider has a reduced fare permit with photo ID that can be loaded with any amount of money. On each ride the machine on the bus deducts the appropriate fare from the amount on the ID card. The fare is $1 per ride. With the other method, the rider buys 20 fare cards for $17.50 and inserts one fare card for each ride. When using the fare cards, the photo ID must be shown to the driver. Fare cards can be purchased at subway stations and currency exchanges. Money can be added to the reduced fare permit at subway stations. With the reduced fare permit, the rider gets senior fares on the RTA but pays the fare in cash.
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Minivan Service
312-926-8267
For patients going to or from Northwestern Hospital or the doctors’ offices at the hospital, the hospital provides a minivan which carries patients between home and hospital and vice versa. The area covered includes all of Streeterville.
Cost is $2 each way. For pick up at home, phone the number listed above. When returning from the hospital, ask office staff in the hospital or doctor’s office to call to arrange the ride.
PACE Program
Customer relations
550 West Algonquin Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
1-847-364-7223
PACE assists in providing transportation for those whose disabilities make it difficult for them to use public transportation. There are no income restrictions to qualify, but there are medical qualifications to be met.
To begin the qualification process, call the phone number above for information and ask that they send out the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) application for transportation. Once qualified by the PACE ADA program, the rider can purchase vouchers for the taxi program (TAP).
For $5 (subject to change by the Illinois legislature), the rider can purchase vouchers with a value of $13.50. One voucher can be offered to a taxi driver for any one trip. If the meter reads more than $13.50, the rider pays the difference in cash. Vouchers can be purchased locally at the currency exchange located at 777 N. LaSalle. The RTA ADA ID must be shown at the time. Vouchers can also be purchased by mail. Forms and envelopes for purchasing vouchers can be ordered by phone at the number above.
Riders can call any cab company to order special cabs suitable for the disabled. CTA vans are also available for door-to-door transportation.
Taxi discount for seniors
If a second or third person rides in a taxi, there is a $1 surcharge shown on the meter (on the right hand side).
If one of the riders is 65 years old or older, he/she is exempt from the$1 surcharge.
Tell the driver that you are 65 and exempt from that charge.
Occasionally, a driver will not know of this exemption. Most do and are prepared to allow it even if they have already entered the surcharge on the meter.