Governor JB Pritzker and IDHS Celebrate One-of-a-Kind Community Partnership in Lawndale

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Secretary Grace B. Hou joined the Lawndale Christian Health Center CEO Bruce Miller today to celebrate a new, one-of-a-kind local IDHS office partnership that is making health care and traditional public benefits available in one location.

The IDHS office is co-located with the Lawndale Christian Health Center (LCHC) at 3910 and 3920 W. Ogden Ave in Chicago. This innovative co-location provides traditional IDHS services like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, Medicaid and cash assistance, along with a range of healthcare services including immediate care, dental services, women's health services, a pharmacy and many other services for children, seniors and everyone in between.

"This innovative, unique partnership is rethinking and rebuilding the way we serve low-income families in the state of Illinois," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This framework serves Illinoisans with efficiency, dignity, and respect - and it's a model and an approach that we intend to apply to our future endeavors as I work to advance health care as a right for everyone."
 
IDHS is working to enhance customer service for Illinoisans who receive state assistance, prioritizing quicker response times on applications, and making more caseworkers available. In addition, IDHS was recently awarded over $650,000 from the US Department of Agriculture to develop a new, centralized case management call center so customers aren't waiting for hours on the phone to get help.

"Providing equitable access to social services, supports and resources to enhance the lives of those we serve is our mission at IDHS," said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou. "I want to thank Lawndale Christian Health Center for their work to enhance the customer experience for low income families served by both of our organizations."

"It's really been wonderful to work with IDHS to develop this concept and see it through together," said Lawndale Christian Health Center CEO Bruce Miller. "We're excited to be part of such a unique opportunity to provide so many important services in one place. We think a lot of people will be helped by this partnership."

IDHS and LCHC continue to work together to benefit both IDHS customers and LCHC patients in the Lawndale and greater Chicago communities. 

Lawndale Christian Health Center is dedicated to providing quality, healthcare services for low-income families. Annually, they serve over 62,000 patients in the Chicagoland area. Last year LCHC served over 20,000 uninsured people, and over 31,000 on Medicaid. 95% of their patients live 200% below the poverty line.