Planned Parenthood of Illinois Opens New Health Center in Lake County

WAUKEGAN, Ill. – Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) is building on its 100-year history of providing essential health care by announcing the opening of a new, state-of-the-art, conveniently located health center in Waukegan that will enhance access to needed health care. Originally scheduled to open in mid-March, PPIL delayed the center’s opening in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of the new health center was made possible thanks to the generous financial support of many individuals throughout Illinois.

The Waukegan Health Center, 1601 N Lewis Ave, becomes PPIL’s newest Mission Site, joining six other health centers strategically chosen to meet growing patient needs statewide during this ongoing crisis. The Waukegan health center is seeing patients on a limited schedule for time-sensitive services, including birth control, STI and HIV testing and treatment, and abortion care. Lake County patients can also access safe, high-quality, affordable health care services through PPIL’s telehealth services, which includes secure, private video appointments and the Planned Parenthood Direct app.

“At PPIL, we believe ensuring access to high-quality health care is part of having a healthy community and our new Waukegan Health Center is a critical piece of that puzzle,” said Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of PPIL. “The Covid-19 pandemic created a growing urgency for increased access to essential health care in the region. I’m proud that PPIL is able to open our doors to help area residents seeking high-quality sexual and reproductive health care.”

PPIL selected Lake County because it is the third largest county in Illinois, the fifth highest uninsured rate of all counties in Illinois and rising rates of STI diagnoses. A large number of patients already travel from Lake County to access needed health care at PPIL’s Chicago and west suburban health centers. The Waukegan Health Center serves residents in McHenry County, northern Cook County, the city of Chicago, and Kenosha County, Wisconsin.

“The new Waukegan Health Center will help meet an urgent need in the community,” said PPIL Board Chair Laura Tucker. “By providing the full range of reproductive health services, community education, and other needed resources, PPIL is poised to improve the region’s overall health and wellness. We are honored to open our doors and serve the people of Lake County during this unprecedented time.”

PPIL takes its responsibility to protect patients and staff seriously during this ongoing pandemic. PPIL’s safety precautions include: a temporary consolidation of services to seven Mission Sites, a team-based approach to staffing with a modified work schedule that best supports social distancing, strictly limiting the number of patients in waiting rooms, enhanced disinfecting and cleaning practices, remote check-in procedures, universal masking policies, and enhanced telehealth options. PPIL continues to monitor and respond to guidelines and best practices from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Health.  

Services at the Waukegan Health Center include:  

• Contraceptive counseling and prescriptions
• Emergency contraception
• Medication abortion
• Cervical and breast cancer screening
• Urinary Tract Infection testing and treatment
• Sexually Transmitted Infection diagnosis and treatment
• Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
• Pregnancy options counseling
• HIV prevention (including PrEP and nPEP)

The Planned Parenthood Waukegan Health Center is accessible by public transportation and includes a parking lot with more than 100 spaces for those who choose to drive. The new health center includes two procedure rooms, five exam rooms, as well as a conference room and administrative space. The Waukegan Health Center was financed with the generous support of PPIL donors. 

Learn more by visiting www.ppil.org or calling 877-200-PPIL (7745).

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