Where Can I Get Rent Assistance or Eviction Help in Illinois?

is a free website with plain-language legal information and court forms. Its Get Legal Help tool asks about your problem, your zip code, and your income. Then it sends you to the legal aid office that covers your area. Start at illinoislegalaid.org/get-legal-help.

Illinois Court Help is a free service from the Illinois courts for people without a lawyer. Court guides explain how to file papers, find your courthouse, and attend court by phone or video. They do not give legal advice. Call or text (833) 411-1121, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or visit ilcourthelp.gov.

The Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Finder refers you to a private lawyer if you do not qualify for free legal aid. The first 30-minute meeting costs no more than $25. After that you and the lawyer agree on fees. Call 217-525-5297, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., or search online at isba.org.

The Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud Bureau takes complaints about scams and unfair business practices. It says it has no authority over most landlord and tenant disputes. It can still point you to legal aid and publishes a landlord and tenant rights fact sheet. Call 1-800-386-5438 (Chicago), 1-800-243-0618 (Springfield), 1-800-243-0607 (Carbondale), or 1-866-310-8398 in Spanish.

The Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) investigates housing discrimination. It covers race, disability, family status, and source of income. This includes housing vouchers (help that pays part of your rent). It also covers immigration status and other protected groups. You must file within 1 year of the last act of discrimination. Fill out the Fair Housing complaint form and email it to IDHR.FairHousing@illinois.gov.

is a free, confidential helpline open 24 hours a day. It refers you to local help with housing, shelter, utility (water, electric, gas) bills, food, and health care. Call 211 from any phone, or text your zip code to 898211.

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Consumer Services Division handles complaints about utilities (gas, electric, and water) that it regulates. Its counselors work with the utility to fix billing and service problems, usually within 1 to 14 days. If you got a notice that your service will be turned off, call instead of filing online: 1-800-524-0795, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Spanish-speaking counselors are available.

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) runs a court-based rental assistance (money to help pay rent) program. It is for renters who have an eviction case in court. You can apply online at illinoishousinghelp.org. A HUD-approved housing counselor can also help you for free. Find a counselor at hud.gov/findacounselor or call 800-569-4287.

The Illinois Department of Human Services Emergency and Transitional Housing Program pays local shelters. The shelters house people who are homeless or about to lose their home. Shelters offer overnight beds, longer stays up to 2 years, and hotel vouchers (papers that pay for a hotel room) when shelters are full. Call the IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154 to find a provider near you.

LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) helps low-income households pay heating and other energy bills. The state sets the income limit each year, and it cannot be more than 60% of the state median income. For example, 60% of a $100,000 median income is $60,000. Apply through the local agency for your county. Call the Help Illinois Families line at 1-833-711-0374 or visit dceo.illinois.gov.