Legal Aid Chicago
Free civil legal help for low-income Cook County residents. All new clients register by phone with the Client Screening Unit, which checks eligibility before assigning a case.
Remedies Renewing Lives
Rockford agency combining a 24-hour domestic violence shelter and hotline with outpatient substance use and mental health treatment. Survivors call the hotline; people seeking treatment call the addiction line.
Prairie State Legal Services
Free civil legal aid across 36 northern and central Illinois counties including Winnebago and Peoria, with a dedicated domestic violence line and an eviction help line. Apply through your local office or online via Illinois Legal Aid Online.
Center for Prevention of Abuse
Central Illinois provider for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, with emergency safe shelter, long-term NextStep Housing, orders of protection, counseling, and medical advocacy. All victim services are free and confidential.
Division of Vital Records
State office for certified Illinois birth certificates. Order by mail with a copy of valid photo ID and a check to IDPH; mail processing takes about 12 weeks, so the county clerk where you were born is usually faster.
ABE – Application for Benefits Eligibility
Illinois's portal and call center for SNAP, cash assistance, and Medicaid. Apply online or by paper form IL444-2378B; applications are reviewed at a local Family Community Resource Center, and emergency SNAP can be ready within five days.
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline
Statewide line run by the coalition of more than 60 Illinois domestic violence agencies. Call to be connected with a local shelter, advocate, or legal help anywhere in the state.
211 Illinois
Free information and referral line for every Illinois resident needing non-emergency help with housing, utilities, food, mental health, or health care. Dial 211 or text your zip code any time of day.
National lines that work in Illinois
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.