Joint Message from IEMA and IDPH

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is offering Potassium Iodide (KI) pills at no cost to Illinois residents living within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zones (EPZs) around the Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Dresden, LaSalle and Quad Cities nuclear power plants.

KI is a non-prescription drug used to help protect the thyroid when there is a risk that a person might be exposed to a potentially harmful amount of radioactive iodine.

A supply of KI pills for everyone in your household can be picked up at designated pharmacies in your area with a completed KI voucher that can be created through this application. A list of participating pharmacies is included below. Please visit the IEMA KI and dosage website for more information. guidance.

Please note that pills will be distributed only when no emergency has been declared at the nuclear power plant in your area. In the event an emergency is declared, please listen to the designated radio stations in your area for public safety instructions.

Radioactive iodine is just one of many radioisotopes that could be released during a nuclear power plant accident. While KI, when taken properly, can prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine into the thyroid, it cannot reduce or prevent the total body exposure that may occur as a result of being in the presence of radioiodine and other radioisotopes released during a nuclear incident. As such, evacuation and sheltering in place are the most effective and preferred recommended protective actions.

It’s important to remember that KI should not be used as a substitute for evacuation or sheltering in place when state and local authorities recommend those protective actions.

If you have questions regarding KI, please contact the Illinois Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222. If you have questions about the distribution process, please visit IEMA.Illinois.gov or contact IEMA at 217-782-1326.

Participating Pharmacies

You can redeem your Potassium Iodide (KI) pill at any of the pharmacies listed below.

Participating Walgreens Pharmacies

Participating CVS Pharmacies

Other Participating Pharmacies

Non-Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies Participating

*- Locations taking back expired KI