Frequently Asked Questions

What is Guest House?

Guest House is registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Guest House is strictly a lodging facility for patients and supportive loved ones. Outpatients must be accompanied by a caregiver or be fully able to care for themselves while staying with us.

Mission
Guest House builds community and healing by providing comfortable, affordable accommodation for patients and their families throughout their treatment.

Vision
Patients and families seeking treatment away from home can access caring, comfortable, affordable accommodation.

Guest House is a registered member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network.
No medical services are provided.
Guest House is not licensed to provide medical services or to monitor individual guests for medical health needs.

Where is Guest House Located?

Guest House is located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago, on the south side of Polk Street between Damen and Winchester Avenues

Our address:
1933 W. Polk Street, SSR- 214
Chicago, Illinois 60612

Who Can Stay at Guest House?

We welcome outpatients accompanied by their caregivers, and families and friends of inpatients with a referral from a patient’s medical team, including social worker, receiving care at the following hospitals and organizations:

  • The American Cancer Society
  • Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
  • John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • UI Health
  • The University of Chicago Medical Center

Guest House provides temporary lodging to patients of all ages from our hospital partners, organ transplant and cancer patients from any Chicago area hospital, and veterans receiving treatment for PTSD in a specialized program. Families are never turned away for financial hardship. This is made possible through your support of the Comfort Fund.

Not included in any of these groups? Please contact us at 312-996-1167 for information about our Pay As You Go Program. Guests staying through this program are not eligible for financial assistance through the Comfort Fund.

Guest House is strictly a lodging facility for patients and supportive loved ones. All guests must be able to care for themselves or be accompanied by a caregiver who is fully able to care for them at all times while staying at Guest House.

Guest House is a registered member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network.
No medical services provided.

How Can I Stay at Guest House?

All guests wishing to stay at Guest House must be referred by a hospital or social worker where you are being treated, and meet all eligibility requirements.

If you are interested in staying at Guest House, please speak to your hospital or social worker; or contact us, and we will provide information to your hospital or social worker.

Steps:

  1. Contact your hospital or social worker for a referral; they can help make sure it is a good fit for you

If an apartment is available, upon receiving a referral from a hospital or social worker, our staff will confirm your reservation and contact you to make arrangements. If an apartment is not available, we will add you to the wait list and contact you or your social worker as soon as a suite becomes available. Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm future apartment requests because each guest’s stay is different.

If you have difficulty determining the right medical personnel at a hospital to refer you, please contact our staff who can offer guidance. A referral request is required for all guests for each request, even if you have previously stayed with us.

  1. Our staff will reach out and confirm your referral and discuss availability

Stay is based on medical need and referral from hospital prior to check in. We will do our best to accommodate requests, however sometimes we are unable to accommodate all requests due to limited availability.  One room is allowed per patient. All suites can sleep up to 4 adults.

Credit or debit card information is taken during the reservation and referral process. All guests must provide credit or debit card information in order to check-in.

What is the Nightly Rate and Any Fees?

The nightly rate is $72

There is a one-time $45 cleaning fee for stays of 5 nights or longer. This fee is included with your first payment. The cleaning fee is not eligible for financial assistance.

No guest referred through our hospital partners is turned away for inability to pay a nightly rate.

When is Check In?

Guests may check-in between 4:00 pm and midnight.

Front Desk staff is available between 8:00 am and midnight daily.

In some instances, we may honor other check in requests made to our office with at least 24 hours notification.

To assure suite availability, and for the comfort of all of our guests; if you would like to request an early check in, you must contact our office (#211) at 312-996-1167 at least 24 hours before your scheduled check in day.

When is Check Out?

Guests must check out by 10:00 am

Front Desk staff is available between 8:00 am and midnight daily.

In some instances, we may honor other check out requests made to our office with at least 24 hours notification.

To assure suite availability, and for the comfort of all of our guests; if you would like to request a late check out, you must contact our office (#211) at 312-996-1167 at least 24 hours before your scheduled check out day.

Information About Accommodations & Stay

IMD Guest House offers provide fully furnished apartments one-and two-bedroom apartments, which can sleep four to six people. Our services and amenities include:

    • Already reduced nightly rate is $72
    • We offer financial assistance to qualified guests based upon need
    • 24-hour secured building
    • Fully-furnished with kitchen
    • Private bath
    • Queen size bed
    • Queen size sleeper sofa
    • Building climate-controlled temperature
    • Basic cable television
    • Wireless internet access (Guest must provide valid email address at referral)
    • Community Room which includes: periodical lending area, computer with printer
    • Free volunteer lead bi-monthly meal programs (vary each month) – (COVID-19 Suspensions)
    • Free common area laundry room
    • Linen and towel exchange service (Guests staying more than 6 consecutive nights)
    • Accessible apartments or zero barrier shower (Limited availability)
    • Small safe
    • Limited number of clothes hangers and laundry basket
    • Dry/Wet Swiffer

What items should I bring?
You should pack:

  • Clothes
  • Personal toiletry items
  • Medicine
  • Robe, a set/s of towels if you prefer not to launder

Also plan to bring or acquire upon arrival:

  • Groceries
  • Disposable tableware, if you prefer not to wash dishes
  • Laundry detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets
  • Cleaning supplies

Guests are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their apartment. We do not provide cleaning services or daily towel exchanges. If a guest is staying more than 6 consecutive nights, a bed and bath linen exchange occurs once a week.

Other important stay information:

  • Check in is between 4:00 pm and midnight
  • Check out is by 10:00 am
  • Referrals should be made at least 24 hours in-advance. We will do our best to accommodate same day requests
  • Once registered, you and your family may come and go as needed
  • Anyone under the age of 18 must be chaperoned by their legal guardian at all times
  • A maximum of 4 guests per one-bedroom apartment and a maximum of 6 guests per two-bedroom apartment
  • Non-smoking facility, smoking is not permitted on University of Illinois property
  • Guests must maintain the cleanliness of their suite either by themselves or with the assistance of their caregiver (Including kitchen and bathroom)
  • We do not provide maid service or daily towel exchanges
  • Proper attire is required at all times in common areas
  • Footwear is required at all times
  • Referral registered, well behaved certified service dogs welcome; no pets of any type

All guests must maintain the cleanliness of their apartment either individually or with the assistance of their caregiver, including the kitchen and bathroom. We do not provide cleaning services or daily towel exchanges. If a guest is staying more than 6 consecutive nights, a bed and bath linen exchange occurs once a week.

A complete house rules document is available upon request. Signature of receipt of house rules is required at time of check in.

Other Amenities

Near to University of Illinois at Chicago Student Center West including:

  • Situated within walking distance of public transit options
  • Central location on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago
  • On-site ATM and vending machines
  • A la carte Market Place
  • Starbucks
  • Subway Restaurant
  • Amazon Hub / locker located in the University of Illinois at Chicago Center East building

IMD Guest House is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. IMD Guest House is a registered member of the Healthcare Hospitality Network. No medical services are provided. IMD Guest House is not licensed to provide medical services or to monitor individual guests for medical health needs.

Parking & Getting Around

IMD Guest House does not have dedicated onsite parking.

Street parking is available in the area. Parking may be available at a patient’s respective hospital. Guests are responsible for their transportation to and from IMD Guest House and their care provider. If you are receiving care outside of the Illinois Medical District you will receive additional information about parking at check in.

More Information about partner hospital parking:

  • John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County Parking Services: Click Here
  • Rush University Medical Center Parking Services: Click Here
  • UI Health Parking Services: Click Here
  • The University of Chicago Medicine Parking Services: Click Here
  • University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Parking Services: Click Here

Temporary Metered Parking is located just south of the entrance located at 809 S. Damen Avenue. The meters only accept quarters. This can be accessed through the service drive located immediately before Damen Avenue on the south side of the street and is market with a white gate that will go up when a vehicle pulls up.

Guests are responsible for any fees or tickets incurred while staying at IMD Guest House.

Rush University Medical Center Shuttle Service
Guests going to Rush University Medical Center are able to access a free on call shuttle service between select Rush University Medical Center destinations and IMD Guest House.

Public Transportation
Many local destinations are accessible by public transportation. For specific directions to your destination please visit the CTA website.

IMD Guest House is located near the Illinois Medical District Blue Line Stop and Polk Street Pink Line Stop. It is also accessible by several bus routes, including public transportation from Union Station (225 S. Canal Street), Ogilvie Transportation Center (500 W. Madison Street) & Greyhound Bus Station (630 W. Harrison Street).Click here for a Google Map

Airports
Chicago is served by O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. As well as other regional airports.

How Far are you From Hospitals?

We are directly across the street from John H. Stroger Jr., Hospital of Cook County

We are within a short walk of the UI Health

We are about a 10-15 walk to Rush University Medical Center

We are about 10 miles from the University of Chicago Medical Center

We are about 5 miles from Northwestern Memorial Hospital

We are about 11 miles from Loyola University Medical Center

Please use an application such as google maps to determine exact distances:

Can I Send a Card or Care Package to a Guest?

To help ensure your loved one is able to receive your card or package, please be sure your card or package is addressed as follows:

Guest Name
c/o IMD Guest House
1933 W. Polk Street,#214 (SSR Bldg.)
Chicago, IL 60612

If you are sending flowers, please call our office at 312-996-1167 for further instructions.

Can I Send Flowers to a Guest?

If you would like to send flowers, please call our office at 312-996-1167 for further instructions.

Why Do you Require a Copy of My Drivers License and Credit Card?

For security and verification of identity, a copy of your driver’s license and a credit card must be placed on file.

Credit, or Visa and Mastercard debit card information is taken during the reservation and referral process. All guests must provide credit or Visa/Mastercard debit card information in order to check in and stay with us.

What About Security?

We are located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago, with 24-hour on-premises security.

Anyone under the age of 18 must be chaperoned by their legal guardian at all times.

Visitors are welcome. All visitors, including medical or social workers must check in at the front desk, 1933 W. Polk Street, and sign in upon arrival. Visitors should remain with their host family at all times. All guests over the age of 18 require a photo ID for registration.

Do you Offer Cleaning or Linen Exchange Services?

All guests must maintain the cleanliness of their apartment either individually or with the assistance of their caregiver, including the kitchen and bathroom. Guests are responsible for trash removal from their room. Trash shoots are located on floors 2, 3, and 4 for our guests.

We do not provide cleaning services or daily towel exchanges. If a guest is staying more than 6 nights, a bed and bath linen exchange occurs once a week.

Staff may have to come into your apartment to conduct a maintenance check, confirm occupancy, and respond or attend to any necessary maintenance requirements.

Will I Have Access to a Laundry Room?

The building has a common laundry room with washing machines and dryers. The machines are available to our registered guests free of charge. Guests should bring detergent, fabric softener and dryer sheets.

Accessible Entrance

Building entrance and exit accessibility ramps are located at:
1933 W. Polk Street
809 South Damen

The accessibility ramp located 809 S. Damen street, is situated alongside a loading zone driveway. Guests may not block the loading zone. It is a 5 minute loading and unloading zone only.

The building is equipped with elevators.

Limited availability of wheelchair accessible apartments, and zero barrier showers, please share your need with staff when discussing your stay request.

Are Service Animals Welcome?

IMD Guest House may welcome a certified, well behaved, trained service dog.

A request for a certified, well behaved, trained service dog must be indicated on your referral at time of referral request. Guests must contact our office (#211) at 312-996-1167 for information on what documents are accepted and required for a service dog.

No pets of any type are allowed, including from caregivers and visitors.

Rush University Medical Center Only Shuttle Service

Guests receiving care at Rush University Medical Center are able to access a free on call shuttle service between select Rush University Medical Center destinations and IMD Guest House. Speak with your medical team for more information about the service.

Guest House is a Registered Nonprofit Organization

Guest House Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Contributions to Guest House are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law under IRS guidelines.

How Can I Help Support Guest House?

Your kindness is greatly appreciated. Every donation makes a difference! Thank you in advance for your support.

To make a charitable gift now, please click: DONATE

For more information about how you can support our mission, please visit Ways to Give and Volunteer.

The Comfort Fund provides financial assistance to qualified guests for a nightly rate.  Guest House can only achieve its mission of providing the comforts of home and the care of community for families in need with your support. Because of your support, no patient is turned away for inability to pay.

What Do you Mean by Affordable?

IMD Guest House provides temporary lodging to qualified guests at an already reduced nightly rate of $72.

The difference in cost to what guests pay nightly and the unreduced cost of an apartment is made through the generous support of our hospital and program partners, and supporters like YOU.

A nightly rate, may be further reduced based on substantial financial need. Not all applicants may qualify for financial assistance through the Comfort Fund. Financial assistance forms must be completed during the referral process.

No patient referred through our partner hospitals is turned away because of inability to pay a nightly rate.

What is the Relationship between Guest House and the Illinois Medical District Commission?

Guest House has a cooperative relationship with The Illinois Medical District Commission (IMD).

The IMD is located at 2100 West Harrison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612

What is the Relationship Between Guest House and Partner Hospitals?

Guest House has a cooperative partnership with the following hospitals and organizations:

  • The American Cancer Society
  • Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
  • John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County
  • Rush University Medical Center
  • UI Health
  • The University of Chicago Medicine 

Do You Conduct Tour Requests?

Please call in advance to request a tour to ensure availability. Tours can only be conducted based upon availability.

Tours are conducted Monday through Friday between 10:30 am and 3:00 pm.

Due to availability limitations, we are unable to accept referral requests, current or future.

What If I'm a Visitor to the Illinois Medical District?

If you are a visitor to the Illinois Medical District such as a prospective student, doctor, or parent or friend of a student, please contact UIC Campus Housing Guest Services for accommodations. More information can be found here.

Scroll to Top