Support Services

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated: 1/19/2022

The safety of our Les Turner ALS family, especially those living with ALS, is our top priority through the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Testing for COVID-19

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Visit: COVIDtests.gov

At-⁠home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-⁠home tests are available.

Your health insurance company will pay you back for 8 at-⁠home tests per month for each person on the plan. Please check with your insurance company to learn more.

No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-⁠19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide.

Vaccination Information

Eligibility

Anyone ages 5 years of age and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccination.

Should I Get Vaccinated?

Our Lois Insolia ALS Clinic at Northwestern Medicine recommends all people living with ALS and their caregivers receive the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shots. If you have any questions, please consult your physician.

Vaccine Locations in Illinois

We encourage you to learn more about vaccine distribution in your local area and to sign-up for any notifications systems or updates for your local county or health department. Where applicable, we suggest you state that you are living with ALS or are a caregiver for someone living with ALS.

COVID-19 vaccine appointments can be scheduled at any available site. The following sites offer vaccination locations in Illinois.

Government locations: City of Chicago, Cook County, DeKalb County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, State of Illinois, Will County

(Note that Cook County Health Department does not include: Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, Stickney and Oak Park, who have their own state-certified health departments)

Chicago COVID-19 Vaccination Finder
Chicago has partnered with Zocdoc to streamline Chicagoans’ access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Evanston Health and Human Services Department
Skokie Department of Health and Human Services
Stickney Township Public Health District
Oak Park Department of Public Health

Retailers and other public locations: CVS, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, Kroger, Mariano’s, Meijer, United Center, Walgreens, Walmart. Other helpful resource: VaccineFinder.org

Vaccine Information for Veterans: Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital

Chicago has partnered with Zocdoc to streamline Chicagoans’ access to COVID-19 vaccines. You can visit zocdoc.com/vaccine to confirm eligibility, see nearby vaccination locations, show their real-time appointment availability, and receive notifications when new appointments are available.

Vaccine Locations in Indiana

Anyone age 5+ can be vaccinated in Indiana. To register in Indiana, go to the Indiana Department of Public Health website or call 866-211-9966 if you do not have access to a computer or need assistance.

Vaccine Resources for the ALS Community:

Please note that during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic all Les Turner ALS Foundation support service coordinator visits and programs, and all support groups are being conducted virtually. We have expanded our online education offerings to provide additional information and resources for individuals and families. Visit ALSLearningSeries.org and lesturnerals.org/resources or ALSDecisions.org.

As always, we will remain a phone call away and will continue to provide personalized support services via teleconference and phone calls to ensure people living with ALS and their families continue to receive all the help they need.

Latest News:

March 9 - In-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home health care vaccination services to reach home-bound individuals who are unable to go to the City’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to get the vaccine. Click here to see if you are eligible and to fill out a registration form.

March 3 - The Biden administration announced last week that Chicago's United Center will soon open as a mass vaccination center with the capacity to administer 6,000 shots per day. The site is expected to be up and running by March 10. At first the site will be open only to seniors, and then later open to any eligible Illinois residents. Illinois residents 65+ will be able to sign up beginning March 4 at Zocdoc.com/vaccine.

March 2 - Chicago residents with at-risk medical conditions, including ALS, will be eligible for vaccinations in phase 1c in Chicago, which is scheduled to being on March 29. Click here for more details.

On February 11, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that his administration is making plans to expand COVID-19 Phase 1B vaccination eligibility on February 25 to people who have comorbidities and underlying conditions as defined by the CDC, including those living with ALS.

Please note that the City of Chicago along with the rest of Cook County, however, will not yet join the rest of the State of Illinois in expanding Phase 1B eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine, due to limited vaccine supply. Read more from our blog post by clicking here.

Caregivers for those living with ALS (including Chicago and Cook County) can already register for vaccinations under Phase 1A.

On January 6, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that the state was lowering the age to 65 of those eligible to get vaccinated in Phase 1B.

Care Recommendations for Respiratory Issues During Outbreak

How to Prepare for a Telehealth Visit

Tips for Preventing the Spread of Respiratory Disease

COVID-19 & ALS: Frequently Asked Questions

CARES Act & Charitable Giving

Les Turner ALS Foundation Special Events

Do you have a specific question you need answered?

Email Us Your Question

Or call 847 679 3311

If you require emergency medical attention, please call 911 to access your local emergency services.

For all other urgent medical matters and if you are seen at the Lois Insolia ALS Clinic, please call Northwestern Medicine at 312 695 7950 and ask to page the neuromuscular physician on call.