Carbondale Reporter

Rep. Paul Jacobs shared on Facebook that the city of Carbondale opened a temporary no-cost healthcare clinic.

“Important information about free healthcare available to local residents at Carbondale city hall happening through the end of the month,” Jacobs wrote on Facebook.

Jacobs and Sen. Terri Bryant are co-hosting a free senior citizens health and wellness fair from 9 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 1 at the Rolland Lewis Building in Mt. Veron, Ill.

“Senior citizens who attend can have their blood pressure checked, pick up useful information from healthcare and elder care providers, check for unclaimed property that the state may be holding for them, and enjoy coffee, donuts and fruit free of charge,” Jacobs wrote on his website.

The residents of Carbondale were able to go to city hall for no-cost healthcare after a new clinic opened at Carbondale City Hall on July 21.

“We are providing medical services, we’re providing mental health and wellness and Chaplin services,” said Lieutenant Colonel Slade Lindquist, Field Hospital Commander of the 325th and Mission Officer in charge of the Innovative Readiness Training Program. “We’re providing optometry services as well as dental services for the community.”

Rockford Register Star reported the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation hosted a free dental care event over the previous weekend.

The opportunity was called the Southern Illinois Wellness Mission, and the clinics will be open through July 31.

Community members three years of age and older were able to get wellness exams, dental exams, extractions and fillings, vision exams and single vision glasses, at no cost. 

“These Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) missions offer the Army invaluable training opportunities while giving back to the community and creating strong relationships,” TC Slade Lindquist, 325th Field Hospital, said. “We are looking forward to a memorable and enjoyable mission with our community partners.”

For more information about IRT, visit its website.

IRT is training for military personnel that has, in the past, included projects across the country.

For example, in 2021 military personnel completed 55 missions in 34 states and territories. This included 12 medical missions, 35 civil engineering missions, and more.