Cook County

Local offices in Cook County

We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.

• Housing help · County office

  Housing Authority of Cook County

  10 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60603

  Help here

  • Affordable housing and rental assistanceFind affordable housing and rental assistance options for eligible households.Apply online
  Call 312-663-5447DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on thehacc.org

• Local office · Regional office

  211 Metro Chicago

  Help here

  • Community resource referralsCall or text 211 to find local help with housing, food, utilities, jobs, and other needs.
  Call 211Website

  Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211metrochicago.org

• Public health · County office

  Cook County Department of Public Health

  7556 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park, IL 60130

  Help here

  • Public health information and servicesGet information about public health programs, clinics, and health concerns in suburban Cook County.Read more
  Call 708-836-8600DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountypublichealth.org

• Courts and legal help · County office

  Cook County Law Library

  50 W. Washington St., Room 2900, Chicago, IL 60602

  Help here

  • Legal research resourcesUse legal research materials and get help finding legal sources, but library staff cannot give legal advice.
  Call 312-603-5423DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountyil.gov

• Child support · County office

  Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court Child Support Division

  28 N. Clark Street, Room 200, Chicago, IL 60602

  Help here

  • Child support court servicesGet information about child support cases and court services.
  Call 312-603-2000DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountycourtil.gov

• Older adults · Regional office

  AgeOptions

  1048 Lake St., Suite 300, Oak Park, IL 60301

  Help here

  • Aging services information and referralsGet connected to aging services and support for older adults and caregivers in suburban Cook County.Read more
  Call 708-383-0258DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ageoptions.org

• Veterans · County office

  Cook County Department of Veterans Affairs

  161 N. Clark St., Room 2400A, Chicago, IL 60601

  Help here

  • Veterans benefits and supportGet help connecting with benefits and support services for veterans, service members, and their families.
  Call 312-603-8384DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountyil.gov

• Emergency help · County office

  Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security

  69 W. Washington St., Suite 2600, Chicago, IL 60602

  Help here

  • Emergency preparedness informationGet information about emergency preparedness and public safety resources in Cook County.
  Call 312-603-8180DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on cookcountyil.gov

• Jobs and training · State office

  Maywood Job Center

  1701 S. 1st Ave., Suite 10, Maywood, IL 60153

  Help here

  • Job search and workforce servicesGet in-person help with job searches, workforce services, and unemployment questions.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ides.illinois.gov

• State office

  Illinois Secretary of State Chicago North Facility

  5401 N. Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60630

  Help here

  • Driver and vehicle servicesVisit for available driver licensing and state identification services.
  DirectionsWebsite

  Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ilsos.gov

Cook County Government website

Checked on October 8, 2026

Food near you

Food pantries and free meals in Cook County, closest to the center of Chicago first. Hours change, so call first when you can.

• Food pantry

  Our Lady of Fatima

  1 mile from the center of Chicago

  2751 W 38th Pl, Chicago, IL 60632

  Hours

  • Sat10 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60632, 60608 and 60609

  Call 773-575-2458Directions

  Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Pan de Vida Food Pantry

  1.7 miles from the center of Chicago

  2701 S Lawndale Ave, Chicago, IL 60623

  Hours

  • Tue8 AM to 12 PM
  • Wed3 PM to 6 PM
  • Thu8 AM to 12 PM
  • Sat9 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60623, 60624, 60612 and 60609

  Call 773-762-0270Directions

  Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Greater Garfield MBC

  2.4 miles from the center of Chicago

  3757 W Douglas Blvd, Chicago, IL 60623

  Hours

  • Fri10 AM to 12 PM

  Who can come: People in ZIP code 60623

  Call 773-277-1700Directions

  Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Safer Foods

  2.6 miles from the center of Chicago

  808 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

  Hours

  • Mon3 PM to 5 PM
  • Tue11 AM to 1 PM
  • Wed12 PM to 2 PM

  Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60612 and 60624

  Call 312-922-2200Directions

  Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Our Lady of the Holy Family

  2.8 miles from the center of Chicago

  1334 W Flournoy St, Chicago, IL 60607

  Hours

  • Fri1:30 PM to 3:30 PM

  Who can come: People north of Lake Street, south of 15th Street, east of Canal Street and west of Western Avenue

  Call 312-519-6200Directions

  Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

• Food pantry

  Christ Temple COG

  2.9 miles from the center of Chicago

  5252 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60609

  Hours

  • Tue12 PM to 2 PM
  • Wed11 AM to 1 PM

  Who can come: People north of 47th Street, south of 55th Street, west of Racine Avenue and east of Damen Avenue

  Call 773-776-3834Directions

  Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026

Nonprofits that serve Cook County

Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.

Cities and towns in Cook County

• Alsip
• Arlington Heights
• Barrington
• Barrington Hills
• Bedford Park
• Bellwood
• Berkeley
• Berwyn
• Blue Island
• Bridgeview
• Broadview
• Brookfield
• Burbank
• Burnham
• Calumet City
• Calumet Park
• Chicago
• Chicago Heights
• Chicago Ridge
• Cicero
• Country Club Hills
• Countryside
• Crestwood
• Des Plaines
• Dixmoor
• Dolton
• East Hazel Crest
• Elk Grove Village
• Elmwood Park
• Evanston
• Evergreen Park
• Flossmoor
• Ford Heights
• Forest Park
• Forest View
• Franklin Park
• Glencoe
• Glenview
• Glenwood
• Golf
• Hanover Park
• Harvey
• Harwood Heights
• Hazel Crest
• Hickory Hills
• Hillside
• Hodgkins
• Hoffman Estates
• Hometown
• Homewood
• Indian Head Park
• Inverness
• Justice
• Kenilworth
• La Grange
• La Grange Park
• Lansing
• Lemont
• Lincolnwood
• Lynwood
• Lyons
• Markham
• Matteson
• Maywood
• McCook
• Melrose Park
• Merrionette Park
• Midlothian
• Morton Grove
• Mount Prospect
• Niles
• Norridge
• North Riverside
• Northbrook
• Northfield
• Northlake
• Oak Forest
• Oak Lawn
• Oak Park
• Olympia Fields
• Orland Hills
• Orland Park
• Palatine
• Palos Heights
• Palos Hills
• Palos Park
• Park Forest
• Park Ridge
• Phoenix
• Posen
• Prospect Heights
• Richton Park
• River Forest
• River Grove
• Riverdale
• Riverside
• Robbins
• Rolling Meadows
• Rosemont
• Sauk Village
• Schaumburg
• Schiller Park
• Skokie
• South Barrington
• South Chicago Heights
• South Holland
• Stickney
• Stone Park
• Streamwood
• Summit
• Thornton
• Tinley Park
• Westchester
• Western Springs
• Wheeling
• Willow Springs
• Wilmette
• Winnetka
• Worth

Illinois programs by kind of help

These are run by Illinois and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.

• FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
• HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
• HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
• MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
• CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
• EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
• WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
• Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
• SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.

Checked on October 8, 2026

Federal help anyone can use

These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Social Security retirement benefits

  Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• Medicare

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.

  Call 1-800-633-4227
• Extra Help with Medicare drug costs

  Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• VA health care

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.

  Call 1-877-222-8387
• VA disability compensation and benefits

  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.

  Call 1-800-827-1000
• FAFSA, the federal student aid form

  U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Federal Pell Grant

  U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.

  Call 1-800-433-3243
• Lifeline phone and internet discount

  Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.

  Call 1-800-234-9473
• Head Start and Early Head Start

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.

  Call 1-866-763-6481
• IRS Free File

  Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.

• VITA and TCE free tax help

  Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.

  Call 1-800-906-9887
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

  Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.

  Call 1-800-829-1040
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.

• Replace a Social Security card

  Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.

  Call 1-800-772-1213
• FEMA disaster assistance

  Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.

  Call 1-800-621-3362

Checked on October 9, 2026