These locations offer accessible STI testing for students.
Center on Halsted
3656 N Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60613
Located in Lakeview, this center is about 45 minutes away, including a six-minute walk from the Addison Red Line stop.
The Center on Halsted is the Midwest’s most comprehensive community center dedicated to the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, with over 1,000 community members visiting the Center daily. It offers appointment-based and walk-in HIV testing for free, in addition to educational programs to help reduce transmission. It also offers a range of other programs and events, from film screenings to career development workshops.
“They may feel more comfortable here if they identify as LGBT. Perhaps they are not out on campus, or perhaps they don’t want to be seen or stigmatized as getting an HIV test or receiving treatment.” – Peter Johnson, director of public relations
Searle Health Center
633 Emerson St., Evanston, IL 60208
At Searle, the cost of a standard chlamydia and gonorrhea test is $55, while a confidential HIV test is $30. Student insurance can often cover these STI tests. Searle also provides other STI tests for trichomoniasis, HPV, syphilis and others at varying costs. Health Service maintains it will accommodate students that want to protect their privacy.
“We will try to work with students to maintain that confidentiality ... A lot of students feel embarrassed to come in [because they are] concerned about their parents learning about their sexual activity.” – Kimberly Seipel-Carrow, medical director of the Northwestern Health Service
Angles Clinic
1779 Maple St., Northfield, IL 60093
Using the Purple Line train and the 423 bus, this clinic is about 50 minutes away.
The clinic only offers tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV, but is far cheaper than Searle. At Angles, the cost of a standard chlamydia and gonorrhea test is $20, and an HIV test is an additional $20. It provides other services and resources including morning-after pills for $30 and other contraceptives, such as 10 condoms for $1. The clinic also provides support groups and community service programs for high school students.
“When it comes time to be tested for STIs, [students] prefer to come here because we don’t even take insurance, so their families won’t find out.” – Amy Skalinder, executive director