ASL INTERPRETING SERVICES
CHICAGO, IL

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. 

REQUEST A CHICAGO INTERPRETER

5 STAR INTERPRETING SERVICES

Most assignments call for one of three service types. The right choice depends on the setting, the complexity of the conversation, and how quickly coverage is needed.

ON-SITE SIGN INTERPRETING

An interpreter is physically present for the appointment, meeting, or event. Best for complex, sensitive, or extended interactions where presence and adaptability matter. A common starting point for healthcare systems, courts, and organizations with recurring needs.

BOOK ON-SITE INTERPRETING

VIDEO REMOTE INTERPRETING (VRI)

A qualified interpreter joins via secure video connection. Available 24/7 nationwide. Best for same-day or urgent requests, telehealth visits, short structured interactions, and organizations covering multiple locations across Utah.

REQUEST A VRI INTERPRETER

CERTIFIED DEAF INTERPRETERS (CDI)

A Deaf interpreter works alongside the hearing interpreter when language needs are complex or communication barriers are significant. CDI's are often used in medical, legal, mental health, and law enforcement settings.

SCHEDULE A CDI INTERPRETER

ADDITIONAL SERVICES & AUXILIARY AIDS

Trilingual ASL/English/Spanish interpreting, tactile interpreting for DeafBlind individuals, oral interpreting, PSE, and CART real-time captioning coordination.

BOOK AN INTERPRETER NOW

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE IN CHICAGO

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.
BOOK YOUR INTERPRETER

MEDICAL INTERPRETING

Patient visits, intake, discharge, imaging, mental health sessions, ER, surgical consent, specialist consultations, and ongoing care. HIPAA-aware interpreters selected for subject-matter familiarity and accuracy.

LEGAL INTERPRETING

Attorney-client meetings, depositions, court hearings, mediations, probation meetings, and government proceedings. Accuracy in legal settings is not a preference. It is a requirement.

EDUCATION INTERPRETING

K-12 classrooms, IEP and 504 meetings, early intervention programs, parent-teacher conferences, tutoring, campus events, university support. DHH programs demand consistent, qualified coverage.

DENTAL INTERPRETING

Cleanings, orthodontics, oral surgery consultations, procedures, and post-treatment instructions where patient understanding matters.

WORKPLACE INTERPRETING

Onboarding, HR conversations, staff meetings, training sessions, interviews, and presentations. Supports ADA compliance in employment settings.

CONFERENCES & LARGE EVENTS

Multi-interpreter coordination for conferences, seminars, corporate events, expos, and gatherings throughout Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front.

INDUSTRIES WE SERVE IN CHICAGO

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

Medical interpreting Patient visits, intake, discharge, imaging, mental health sessions, specialist consultations, surgical consent, and ongoing care. ADA compliance support included.

LEGAL INTERPRETING

Attorney-client meetings, depositions, hearings, mediations, and court proceedings. Interpreters selected for neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality.

EDUCATION INTERPRETING

K-12 classrooms, IEP and 504 meetings, parent-teacher conferences, tutoring, counseling, campus events, and support for higher education and universities.

DENTAL INTERPRETING

Cleanings, orthodontics, oral surgery consultations, procedures, and post-treatment instructions where patient understanding is essential.

WORKPLACE INTERPRETING

Onboarding, HR conversations, staff meetings, training sessions, interviews, and presentations. Supports ADA compliance in employment settings.

CONFERENCES & LARGE EVENTS

Multi-interpreter coordination for conferences, seminars, corporate events, expos, and community gatherings. Stage, breakout, and audience covered.

SCHEDULE INTERPRETING SERVICES

WHY ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS CHICAGO WORK WITH 5 STAR INTERPRETING

Deaf- and Interpreter-Owned

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.

Matched to the Setting

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.

Responsive When it Matters

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.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING AN ASL INTERPRETING AGENCY IN CHICAGO

Not all interpreting providers are the same. These are the factors that matter most.

  • Certification and professional standards: look for interpreters who meet recognized credentials such as RID certification or BEI, with relevant training for your setting
  • Setting-specific experience: a qualified interpreter for a legal deposition is not the same as one for a mental health session or a large conference
  • Service flexibility: the right agency offers on-site, VRI, CDI, and urgent scheduling, not just one format
  • Clear coordination: you should know who your interpreter is, when they will arrive, and what to do if something changes
  • Community standing: feedback from Deaf consumers and community organizations is one of the strongest indicators of quality and cultural awareness

Not sure what questions to ask?

See 4 questions to ask every ASL interpreting agency.

REQUEST AN INTERPRETER IN CHICAGO

CHICAGO SERVICE AREAS

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.

RESERVE A CHICAGO INTERPRETER NOW
ASL services Atlanta

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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.

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.

1,000+ SATISFIED CUSTOMERS

LEAVE A REVIEW