Your fastest path to free PrEP in Illinois
Step 1: If you earn under 138% FPL, enroll in Medicaid — PrEP covered at $0. Call 866-311-1119 or visit getcovered.illinois.gov.
Step 2: Apply for PrEP4IL — the state's PrEP assistance program with no income limit. No citizenship or SSN required. Phone: 1-833-PREP4IL (1-833-773-7445).
Step 3: Visit a pharmacy — any trained Illinois pharmacist can prescribe oral PrEP under the April 2025 statewide standing order. No doctor visit needed.
Step 4: Use MISTR for free home-delivered PrEP or visit Howard Brown Health in Chicago.
MISTR delivers free PrEP across Illinois.
MISTR provides $0 PrEP including consultation, at-home labs, medication, and delivery for Illinois residents through 340B partnerships.
Start Free PrEP with MISTR →Illinois PrEP programs
PrEP4Illinois — no income limit
PrEP4IL — the state's PrEP DAP with no published income threshold
Covers generic TDF/FTC, Truvada, Descovy, and Apretude (injectable, since July 2023). Functions as a last-resort program for insured and uninsured alike. No citizenship or SSN required — residency can be proven with utility bills or school records. Homeless individuals can use an Affidavit for Residency Verification.
Medicaid
Illinois expanded Medicaid. PrEP covered at $0 as preventive service. MCOs include Molina, CountyCare (Cook County: 312-864-8200), and Meridian. Enrollment: getcovered.illinois.gov or 866-311-1119.
Pharmacist PrEP prescribing
HB 4430 (2022) authorized pharmacist PrEP/PEP prescribing. In April 2025, the IDPH Director issued a statewide standing order enabling any trained pharmacist to dispense oral PrEP — potentially expanding access to thousands of pharmacy locations. Insurers must reimburse at ≥85% of the physician rate.
Clinics & community resources
Chicago
Midwest's largest LGBTQ+ FQHC. Key locations: Sheridan/Uptown (4025 N. Sheridan), Clark/Rogers Park (6500 N. Clark), Halsted/Boystown (3245 N. Halsted), 55th St/Hyde Park (1525 E. 55th).
⚠️ Faced $6.6M+ budget gap in 2023-24 — verify current operational status.
Free HIV care and PrEP regardless of ability to pay
PrEP, free HIV/HCV testing, food pantry, syringe services. Mobile van Tues-Fri 9am-3pm.
Downstate Illinois has significant provider deserts. The new pharmacy standing order could transform rural access. Use the PrEP Locator (preplocator.org) for rural providers.
Telehealth PrEP in Illinois
These platforms ship PrEP medication directly to your door.
HIV in Illinois
EHE jurisdiction
Cook County/Chicago is Illinois's EHE priority jurisdiction, accounting for the vast majority of the state's HIV burden. Getting to Zero Illinois (GtZ-IL) targets zero new transmissions by 2030. AIDS Foundation of Chicago: (312) 922-2322.
Know your rights
Minors
Minors aged 12+ may consent to STI testing and treatment without parental consent (410 ILCS 210/4). PrEP4IL accommodates minors on parent's insurance by waiving insurance documentation requirements.
Undocumented residents
PrEP4IL requires no citizenship or SSN. Residency proven with utility bills, payroll stubs, or school records. Howard Brown Health and all FQHCs serve regardless of status.
Transgender individuals
Illinois has strong protections via the Human Rights Act and enacted shield laws for gender-affirming care. Howard Brown Health provides comprehensive trans-affirming care.
HIV criminalization
Illinois fully repealed its HIV-specific criminal law in 2021 (SB 655) — only the second state to do so. This is a model for the nation.