Benefits

Community Health Centers in Illinois — low-cost medical care for immigrants

FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) in Illinois: primary medical care with sliding fee scale, regardless of immigration status. Dental, mental health, pharmacy services.

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Community Health Centers (FQHC) in Illinois

Illinois at a glance

Illinois is home to about 1,833,810 foreign-born residents (14.4% of the state’s 12,692,653 people) and 2,348,118 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (18.5%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2023 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Illinois regardless of immigration status unless noted.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are the most important low-cost medical care network in US for uninsured or underinsured people. They serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status.

How FQHCs work — the short version

A Federally Qualified Health Center is a nonprofit clinic funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. Three things matter in practice: every site must serve you regardless of immigration status, fees follow a sliding scale based on income (a pay stub is usually enough proof), and most Illinois locations put primary care, pediatrics, dental, mental health, and a low-cost pharmacy under one roof. No insurance is required, and in areas with large Spanish-speaking populations, bilingual staff are the norm.

For the full guide — typical services, what to bring to a first visit, and how the sliding fee scale is calculated — see the national community health centers guide.

Important: Public Charge Rule

Using FQHCs does NOT affect your immigration case. Public Charge Rule doesn’t consider low-cost medical services. See Public Charge Rule.

FQHC locations in Illinois: the real numbers

Illinois has 479 active federally funded health center sites, per HRSA's Health Center Service Delivery Sites file. Every one of them is required to serve you regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. The cities with the most locations:

City	FQHC sites
Chicago	186
Aurora	12
East Saint Louis	12
Carbondale	11
Springfield	10

Coverage by county

County	Sites
Cook	240
St. Clair	28
Kane	18
Macoupin	14
Madison	14
Williamson	12
Jackson	11
Sangamon	10

Major health center sites you can call today

Health center site	City	Phone
West Suburban Medical Center	Oak Park	(708) 383-0113
SIU Medicine North Dirksen Express Care	Springfield	(217) 545-8000
SIHF Healthcare - Windsor II	East Saint Louis	(618) 332-0694
University of Illinois Mile Square Health Center - IMD	Chicago	(312) 996-2000
VNA Health Care - Weston Avenue, Aurora	Aurora	(630) 892-4355
Shawnee Health Care, Same Day	Carbondale	(618) 519-9200
ACCESS Hawthorne Family Health Center	Cicero	(708) 780-9777
ANNA MEDICAl CLINIC	Anna	(618) 833-4471

Source: HRSA Health Center Service Delivery and Look-Alike Sites (retrieved 2026-06-10; refreshed quarterly). Hours and walk-in policies change — call before visiting, or search every site at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General information, not medical advice. For specific care, talk to a medical provider.

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits

Frequently asked questions

Do FQHCs in Illinois ask immigration status?

NO. FQHCs are legally required to serve EVERYONE regardless of immigration status, ability to pay, or insurance. Your information is not shared with immigration authorities.

How much do FQHC services cost in Illinois?

FQHCs use ‘sliding fee scale’: families below Federal Poverty Level pay $0-$25 per visit; higher incomes pay based on income, but NEVER more than commercial price. Minimum fee usually $20-$30.

What services do FQHCs in Illinois offer?

Primary medical care (adults and kids), pediatrics, gynecology and prenatal, mental health and counseling, basic dental services, low-cost pharmacy, vaccines, school/work physicals, chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension).

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.