5 Star Interpreting provides on-site and video remote ASL interpreting services for healthcare providers, legal teams, schools, businesses, and event organizers throughout Chicago and the surrounding area. As a Deaf- and interpreter-owned agency, placements are determined by what is actually required to achieve effective communication, not just what is available.
On-site interpreting. VRI. CDI support.
Most assignments call for one of three service types. The right choice depends on the complexity of the conversation, the setting, and how quickly you need coverage.
An interpreter is physically present for the appointment, meeting, or event. Best for complex, sensitive, or extended interactions where presence and adaptability matter.
A qualified interpreter joins via secure video connection. Available 24/7 nationwide. Best for urgent requests, telehealth visits, and shorter structured interactions.
For more complex situations, we coordinate CDIs to work alonside the interpreter to improve clarity, accuracy, and understanding in high-impact conversations.
Tactile Interpreting, Pidgin Signed English (PSE), Oral Interpreting, Trilingual ASL / English / Spanish Interpreting, and Real-Time Captioning (CART) support.
Chicago’s healthcare systems, universities, legal teams, and corporate offices are among the highest-volume interpreting environments in the country. The settings are different. The standard is the same.
Medical interpreting Patient visits, intake, discharge, imaging, mental health sessions, specialist consultations, surgical consent, and ongoing care. ADA compliance support included.
Attorney-client meetings, depositions, hearings, mediations, and court proceedings. Interpreters selected for neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality.
K-12 classrooms, IEP and 504 meetings, parent-teacher conferences, tutoring, counseling, campus events, and support for higher education and universities.
Cleanings, orthodontics, oral surgery consultations, procedures, and post-treatment instructions where patient understanding is essential.
Onboarding, HR conversations, staff meetings, training sessions, interviews, and presentations. Supports ADA compliance in employment settings.
Multi-interpreter coordination for conferences, seminars, corporate events, expos, and community gatherings. Stage, breakout, and audience covered.
5 Star was founded by Ben Daniel and Cody Simonsen, both of whom have navigated the communication barriers this work is meant to solve. Every placement is made with that perspective. It is not a brand claim. It shapes how we assess every assignment.
Interpreters are selected based on subject matter, communication complexity, and the specific needs of the interaction. A medical appointment, a deposition, and a workplace training session all require different expertise. We match accordingly.
Confidentiality, professional ethics, and clear communication are non-negotiable on every assignment. We also support urgent and after-hours requests whenever possible, because language access cannot always wait.
Not all interpreting providers are the same. These are the factors that matter most.
Not sure what questions to ask?
We serve organizations throughout Chicago and the surrounding communities. On-site interpreting is available across the city and suburbs. VRI is available anywhere in Illinois.
Chicago neighborhoods and areas served include Downtown, The Loop, River North, South Loop, Hyde Park, Bronzeville, Uptown, Rogers Park, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview, along with Oak Park, Cicero, Evanston, Skokie, Naperville, Aurora, and communities throughout Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties.
BOOK A CHICAGO ASL INTERPRETER
On-site, VRI, and CDI services available. Serving Chicago and the surrounding area.
5 Star Interpreting provides on-site ASL interpreting, Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), and Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI) coordination for healthcare, legal, education, workplace, dental, and event settings throughout Chicago and the greater metro area. We also support trilingual ASL/English/Spanish interpreting, tactile interpreting for DeafBlind individuals, oral interpreting, and CART real-time captioning coordination.
For guidance on which format fits your specific situation, see the guide to on-site vs. VRI — choosing the right format.
Yes. VRI is available 24/7 for telehealth visits, virtual meetings, urgent same-day requests, and any situation where an on-site interpreter cannot be arranged in time. It connects you with a qualified interpreter via secure video from any computer or mobile device.
A CDI is recommended when the Deaf individual uses non-standard or regional signing, has had limited exposure to formal ASL, is DeafBlind, or when the conversation is complex enough that standard interpretation may not ensure full understanding. Common settings include mental health sessions, legal proceedings, medical consultations involving significant decisions, and law enforcement interviews. If you are not sure, tell us about the assignment and we will help you assess.
In most professional settings, yes. The ADA requires covered entities to provide effective communication for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing. A qualified ASL interpreter is typically the appropriate auxiliary aid for complex interactions in healthcare, legal, educational, and workplace settings. The key word is qualified: the interpreter must be able to interpret accurately, effectively, and impartially.
As early as possible for depositions, multi-day conferences, and assignments requiring a CDI or interpreter team. That said, we accommodate urgent and same-day requests depending on availability. VRI is typically available immediately.
Earlier is best for depositions, hearings, conventions, and multi-interpreter schedules, but we can often accommodate short notice, depending on availability.
On-site interpreting places the interpreter physically in the room, which supports complex, emotionally sensitive, or fast-moving conversations. VRI connects you with an interpreter via secure video and works well for shorter structured interactions, telehealth visits, and urgent requests. The right choice depends on what the conversation actually requires.
Yes. We coordinate multi-interpreter teams for conferences, seminars, corporate events, and large community gatherings. Coverage includes stage and podium interpreting, breakout sessions, audience interaction, and transitions between formats. Early scheduling is recommended for large events.