Des Plaines
Ask about Des Plaines
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Des Plaines and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Des Plaines
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Utilities · City office
Des Plaines Public Works and Engineering
1111 Joseph J. Schwab Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Help here
- Water, sewer, trash, and street service requestsContact Public Works about city water, sewer, trash collection, or local street maintenance.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desplainesil.gov
Human services · City office
Des Plaines Human Services
1420 Miner Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Help here
- Social services and referralsGet help with crisis support, case management, counseling, and referrals for food, housing, legal, and other needs.
- Senior services referralsAsk for referrals to senior services and other community resources.
- Emergency water bill assistanceApply for emergency help if you are at risk of having your city water disconnected.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desplainesil.gov
Local office · City office
DP311 Citizen Request Portal
Help here
- City service requestsSubmit a service request or report a concern to the city online.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on desplainesil.gov
State office
Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Facility
1533 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Help here
- Driver and vehicle servicesVisit for driver license and identification services, driving tests, and vehicle title or registration services.Read more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ilsos.gov
Library · Regional office
Des Plaines Public Library
1501 Ellinwood Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Help here
- Library services and programsGet a library card, borrow materials, use public computers and Wi-Fi, and attend programs or classes.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dppl.org
Parks and recreation · Regional office
Des Plaines Park District
2222 Birch Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Help here
- Parks and recreation programsFind and register for recreation programs, classes, sports, and activities at park district facilities.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on dpparks.org
Checked on October 8, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Des Plaines first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
ICNA Relief USA Chicago
11 miles from the center of Des Plaines2809 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Hours
- Thu10 AM to 1 PM
- Sat10 AM to 1 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60659, 60645 and 60625
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Agents of Hope Training and Information Center
11 miles from the center of Des Plaines2736 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
Hours
- Mon2 PM to 5 PM
- Tue2 PM to 5 PM
- Wed2 PM to 4 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60659 and 60645
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Helping Our People Excel Community Development Corporation
12 miles from the center of Des Plaines5912 W Iowa St, Chicago, IL 60651
Hours
- Fri12 PM to 2 PM
Who can come: Cook County residents
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Howard Area Community Center
12 miles from the center of Des Plaines7648 N Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60626
Hours
- Mon2 PM to 4 PM
- Wed10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60626, 60645, 60660 and 60659, and in ZIP codes 60202 and 60201
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Food pantry
Chicago Hope Inc.
12 miles from the center of Des Plaines2505 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Hours
- Mon4 PM to 6 PM
- Thu10 AM to 12 PM
Who can come: People in ZIP codes 60651, 60618, 60622, 60639, 60641 and 60647
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
Care for Friends
13 miles from the center of Des Plaines5749 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60660
Hours
- Mon10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Thu10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Sat10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Who can come: Cook County residents
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Des Plaines
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Greater Chicago Food Depository
4100 West Ann Lurie Place, Chicago, IL 60632
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Aid Chicago
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
City of Chicago
Serves the City of Chicago only
1615 W. Chicago Avenue, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60622-5127
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofit
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc.
Serves suburban Cook County
567 West Lake Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60661
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Cook County
Des Plaines is in Cook County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ageoptions.org
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
Talk to a person
- 211 Illinois
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988