Step One: Call 3-1-1.
When you don’t know who to call or how to get started, call 3-1-1.
Alderman’s Office
Animal Control and Rescue
Call 3-1-1 or go online to report stray animals or inhumane treatment, find animal shelters and more.
Birth Certificates
Get a certified copy of your birth certificate (if you were born in Chicago or suburban Cook County) from the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
Child Care
The Chicago Public Schools and Department of Family and Support Services offer an early childhood program locator.
Circuit Breaker Forms
The Circuit Breaker program, sponsored by the Illinois Department of Aging, offers grants to senior citizens and persons with disabilities to help them reduce taxes and prescription costs.
Civil Unions
- Apply for a civil union license at the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
- Find information on the county’s Domestic Partnership Registry. The registry was sunsetted on May 31, 2011, because of the introduction of civil unions in Illinois, but the Cook County Clerk’s Office continues to maintain it.
Death Certificates
Obtain a death certificate for a death in Chicago or suburban Cook County from the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
Divorce
- Get answers from the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- The clerk’s office also offers a Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage form, which includes filing instructions.
Domestic Violence
Call the City of Chicago’s Domestic Violence Help Line for referrals for shelters, counseling and legal advocacy.
Driver Services
- For driver’s licenses, see the Secretary of State’s Driver Services page.
- For license plates, see the Secretary of State’s Vehicle Services page.
- If you’re new to driving in Illinois, check out this list of frequently asked questions.
- The Rules of the Road is available online.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
The Chicago Public Library’s Especially for ESL Students has resources for people learning to speak English.
Food Pantries
Search by ZIP code for food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters using the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s agency locator.
Food Stamps
Get information on the Food Stamp Program from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Foreclosure Assistance
- Call 3-1-1 to be connected to a counselor.
- The Chicago Public Library’s Popular Topics: Housing Market & Foreclosure has resources about financing a home, foreclosures and the housing market.
Health Insurance for Children
Comprehensive health insurance is available to all uninsured children in Illinois through All Kids.
Health Services
- Find neighborhood health clinics, medication assistance clinics, mental health centers and more through the Chicago Department of Public Health’s clinical health program.
- The Cook County Department of Public Health offers clinical services and has information on other low-cost health resources.
Immigration and International Visitors
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services offers information for a number of immigration situations as well as “How Do I” Customer Guides.
- Learn about citizenship and find study materals for the naturalization test.
- The local immigration office for the Chicago area is the Chicago Field Office.
- Contact your Foreign Consular Office if you have lost your passport or for other services offered to citizens.
Income Taxes
The Chicago Public Library’s Popular Topics: Income Taxes has information to help during tax season.
Lawyers
- See Finding an Attorney and A Guide to the Legal Services in Cook County from the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
- Illinois Legal Aid and Illinois Legal Aid (Spanish) provide contact information for local organizations that may be able to offer assistance.
Marriage Licenses
Apply for a marriage license at the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
Parking Permits
Get information on residential parking from the City Clerk’s Office.
Passports
- Passports for U.S. citizens are handled by the U.S. Department of State. (Read about the new rules regarding passports effective June 1, 2009.)
- Passports for non-U.S. citizens are handled by their local Consular Office (click on Foreign Consular Offices).
Public Housing
See the Chicago Housing Authority’s frequently asked questions page.
Re-Entry Services
- Find information on re-entry resources offered to ex-offenders by the Safer Foundation. Its guide to Getting Started with Safer answers frequently asked questions.
- Use Re-Entry Illinois to access information about services, housing and employment.
Senior Services
Learn about services offered by the city’s Senior Services Area Agency on Aging and the Illinois Department of Aging.
Shelters
Call 3-1-1 for information and referrals.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Find information on TANF, which provides financial assistance to help pay for food, shelter, utilities and other non-medical expenses.
Tenants and Landlords
- Request information from the City of Chicago regarding the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance.
- The city’s Rents Right campaign provides mediation for landlords and tenants to resolve disputes.
- The Metropolitan Tenants Organization provides assistance to tenants.
Unemployment
Illinois’ unemployment insurance program is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Utility Bill Help
The Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA) offers assistance in paying your heating and electricity bills as well as assistance in making your home more energy-efficient.
Vital records (Birth Certificates, Death Certificates, Marriage Licenses)
Learn how to request records from the Cook County Clerk’s Office.
Voter Registration
- Print an Illinois Voter Registration Application from the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
- Check to see if you are registered to vote in Illinois.
Voucher Program (Public Housing)
The Chicago Housing Authority offers general information about the Housing Choice Voucher Program on its website.
Additional Information
The Chicago Public Library’s Popular Topics: Government Research has resources to help find government information.