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Living in Chicago

Campus parking and transportation

You have a number of options for transportation to campus and around the Chicago area.

  • A commuter shuttle bus runs daily between the Metra train stations and the University, parking is available across the street from the main academic building and there are bike share stations on and near campus.
  • Parking is available for students in either of the two parking garages (1641 W. Harrison St. or 711 S. Paulina St.) for $40 per month (plus a $30 deposit for an electronic transponder). Parking is also available for $25 a month (plus a $30 deposit for an electronic transponder) in the Ogden-Wood lot located between Ogden Avenue and Wood Street. If you have any questions, contact the parking offices at (312) 942-6594.
  • You can make use of Rush’s free shuttle service. The shuttle, which serves areas close to campus, runs during the evening from 6 p.m. – 1 a.m., Monday to Sunday. The service is free for all Rush University personnel who present a Rush ID. One guest can ride free with a Rush student or staff member.

Additional information about parking and transportation can be found via the Parking link on Inside Rush, or by calling the Parking Office at (312) 942-6594.  The Parking Office is located inside the main parking garage, on the fourth floor near the skywalk to Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.

Off-campus resources

Garbage and recycling

If you live in Chicago, visit the city of Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation website for information about garbage pickup days and recycling. If you live in a suburb, check your local municipality’s website.

Apartment hunting

Rush currently has a leasing agreement with Tailor Lofts, for students wanting to live in an apartment near campus and have their housing added to their university bill, along with tuition. Additionally, Rush has partnered with two brokerage companies who provide award-winning customer service and work with students to secure off-campus housing.  If you prefer to search on your own, there are a few companies you can use to find an apartment in Chicago, including Chicago Apartment Finders, Apartment People, Domu and Trulia. One month prior to your desired move-in date is the ideal time to look for an apartment.  For additional information and housing resources, check out our housing page.

Safety

As is the case in most large cities, Chicago has its share of crime. Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night or if you are by yourself. For more information, please reference the Chicago Police Department’s safety tips.

Tenant rights

As a tenant in Chicago, make sure you know your rights. The city of Chicago website has a page on the rights of renters, so check it out to familiarize yourself with your rights as a tenant in Chicago.

Weather

  • Chicago’s climate is classified as humid continental, meaning wet springs, hot and humid summers, pleasant autumns and cold winters. While that is the norm, the weather in Chicago can be fickle and change quickly.
  • To be prepared for quickly changing weather, you can download various weather apps on your phone or tune in to radio weather reports on WBBM (780 AM or 105.9 FM), or watch the weather report on WGN, or the local CBS, NBC and ABC affiliates.
  • In the event of a snowstorm, it helps to be familiar with the different snow routes in Chicago and winter parking bans. You can learn about both on the city of Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation website. Apps are also available to help you track winter parking restrictions and street plowing progress in the city.

Getting around

Though it is a large city, Chicago is very easy to get navigate, depending on traffic. The following are some different ways you can get around in the city of Chicago:

Biking — Chicago is very bike-friendly, offering paths along the Lake Michigan shore and the 606 (connecting the Humboldt Park to Bucktown neighborhoods) and bike lanes on many major streets, such as Lincoln Avenue. Visit the city of Chicago’s website for a bike map.

Divvy — Chicago has a bike-share system called Divvy. For a $75 yearly membership, students gain access to thousands of bikes throughout Chicago for easy transportation around the city. Visit the Divvy website to find out how it works and to register. You will need your Rush University email address and the Rush password, which can be found on the Student Life and Engagement page of the University Portal, in the “Announcements” section on the lower right side of the page.

Parking — If you own a car in Chicago, you will need to purchase a parking permit. All the information you need can be found on the Chicago City Clerk’s website.

Shuttles

The shuttle bus service is sponsored by Rush University Medical Center as a benefit to students, faculty and staff who use the commuter rail lines to get to the Medical Center. Students, faculty and staff may ride the shuttles for free by showing their student or employee IDs to the shuttle driver. For additional information about campus shuttles, commuter shuttles, or parking and transportation in general, check out the Parking link on Inside Rush.  If you have questions or comments regarding the service, please contact the Parking Office at (312) 942-6594.

Please note the following commuter shuttle departure times to Ogilvie and Union Stations (for Metra trains):

  • Morning pickup (all times are a.m.) — 6:05, 6:20, 6:35, 6:50, 7:05, 7:20, 7:30, 7:40, 7:50, 8:00, 8:10, 8:20, 8:35, 8:50, 9:05, 9:20, 9:35.
  • Evening pickup (all times are p.m.) — 3:05, 3:20, 3:35, 3:50, 4:05, 4:20, 4:30, 4:40, 4:50, 5:00, 5:10, 5:20, 5:35, 5:50, 6:05, 6:20, 6:30.

Public transit

  • CTA — The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) maintains the El train system and buses around the city. For information about routes, delays and arrival times, check out the CTA website. Two CTA train stations are adjacent to the Rush campus: Illinois Medical District (Blue Line) and Polk (Pink Line).
  • Metra — It is easy to get to the suburbs from downtown Chicago via the Metra commuter trains. For more information about train lines, stops, ticket prices and schedules, please refer to the Metra website.
  • Pace — To find more information about Pace suburban bus routes and times, please visit the Pace website.