Ascension Illinois opens free pharmacies in Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village

A new partnership is providing access to free medications for low-income, uninsured people at Ascension Illinois’ three hospital campuses in Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village and Chicago.

A ribbon-cutting was held Thursday at Ascension St. Alexius in Hoffman Estates for the new association with the national nonprofit medication distributor Dispensary of Hope.

“A key component of our mission is to serve everyone in our community regardless of their ability to pay,” Ascension Illinois Chief Clinical Officer David Bordo said in a statement. “Our ministry’s use of the Dispensary of Hope is just the latest example of our commitment to that community promise.”

Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod attended the ribbon-cutting along with Village Clerk Patty Richter and state representatives Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg and Anna Moeller of Elgin.

“I think it’s a huge benefit,” McLeod said of the program. “There’s a stereotype still attached to the suburbs that it’s just rich white people out here. That hasn’t been true for decades. There’s a huge need for this.”

To qualify for Dispensary of Hope, patients must complete an application process, be uninsured and not make above three times the national poverty level.

Hospital officials said the nonprofit reported a 20% reduction in hospital stays and a 27% decrease in utilization costs through its program. Medications help prevent unnecessary hospital visits by managing health conditions, reducing flare-ups and easing symptoms.

Ascension Illinois cited data from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and the Cook County Department of Public Health showing there are more than 400,000 people in the county without health insurance.

Dispensary of Hope's distribution network for donated medications filled 1.2 million prescriptions nationwide for 164,000 patients in 2025, delivering more than 3,000 prescriptions daily.

The nonprofit has been recognized with the American Pharmacists Association’s Foundation Pinnacle Award for its efforts to eliminate barriers to health care.

Though St. Alexius was the only location to host a ribbon-cutting, the program is already available at Ascension Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village and Ascension St. Joseph serving Chicago’s Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods.