Medical/Health Resources
Illinois Spina Bifida Association Vision Referral Program
The Illinois Spina Bifida Association (ISBA) offers a vision referral program in partnership with the Illinois Eye Institute (IEI), which provides specialized services for pediatric patients and people with developmental disabilities.
If anyone in your family needs vision care, ISBA can help you set up an appointment at IEI in Chicago or refer you to other statewide providers offering affordable care regardless of insurance or financial status.
Illinois Transformative Justice Law Project
The Illinois Transformative Justice Law Project (TJLP) provides free information, training resources and life and gender-affirming legal services to everyone on the gender spectrum regardless of financial status. TJLP also provides:
- Workshops for organizations and groups wanting to learn more about allyship for trans and gender-expansive communities
- Free in-person and virtual name change services
- Name change guides
- Educational resources
Illinois Warm Line
If you or one of your family members has mental health and/or substance use challenges and would like to receive support by phone, call the Illinois Warm Line at (866) 359-7953.
Wellness support specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health and/or substance use recovery in their own lives. They are trained in recovery support, mentoring and advocacy.
The Illinois Warm Line is not a crisis hotline but is a source of support as you recover or help a family member to recover. Illinois Warm Line hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except holidays.
The Immune Deficiency Foundation is a nationwide organization that can assist with finding specialists, providing financial assistance and providing educational materials. Primary immune deficiency diseases are a group of relatively rare conditions caused by intrinsic or genetic defects in the immune system.
A public health program that offers free optometric exams in the first year of life.
Informational Classes by Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
The hospital offers a broad range of informative classes such as gluten-free cooking and how illness impacts teenagers.
June Jessee Memorial Foundation
The June Jessee Memorial Foundation (JJMF) provides events, information, financial assistance and mental health services to children with medically complex neurological conditions and their families in the St. Louis area and beyond. JJMF resources include:
- Uncomplicated financial assistance for out-of-pocket medical needs
- Free mental health services
- A welcoming, understanding community
- Information to help make journeys easier
Created by medical experts, KidsHealth has accurate, up-to-date information about growth, fitness, lab tests, medical and surgical conditions, and the latest treatments.
LifeLine Pilots is a non-profit group providing free air transportation to patients seeking a second opinion or in need of treatment at a clinic far from home for non-emergency medical needs.
The organization serves individuals who may not be able to travel long distances any other way or have financial or health-related needs. Volunteer pilots fly passengers in need within a 10 state region. Lifeline Pilots also works with other volunteer pilot organizations to arrange flights beyond their service area.
If you have questions or need to determine if you qualify for services, call 800-822-7972 or fill out the mission request form.
Local Health Department Directory
The Illinois Department of Public Health provides a directory of local health departments at www.idph.state.il.us/LHDMap/HealthRegions.aspx.