Lake Forest
Ask about Lake Forest
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Lake Forest and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Lake Forest
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Older adults · City office
Dickinson Hall Senior Center
100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Help here
- Senior programs and supportOlder adults can find social activities, classes, recreation, and help with aging-related needs.
- Medical transportationEligible older adults can arrange rides to medical appointments in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on dickinsonhall.com
Local office · City office
Lake Forest City Hall
220 E. Deerpath, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Help here
- City services and informationContact City Hall to get help finding city services and departments.
- Utility billingGet help with your city water and sewer bill.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityoflakeforest.com
Library · City office
Lake Forest Library
360 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Help here
- Library servicesGet a library card, borrow books and other items, and use library programs and resources.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on lakeforestlibrary.org
Parks and recreation · City office
Lake Forest Recreation Center
400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Help here
- Recreation programsResidents can get information about city recreation programs and activities.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityoflakeforest.com
Checked on October 9, 2026
Food near you
Food pantries and free meals, closest to the center of Lake Forest first. Hours change, so call first when you can.
Food pantry
Howard Area Community Center
18 miles from the center of Lake Forest7648 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
ICNA Relief USA Chicago
18 miles from the center of Lake Forest2809 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
18 miles from the center of Lake Forest2736 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
Free meals
Care for Friends
20 miles from the center of Lake Forest5749 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
Food pantry
New Seed Pantry
21 miles from the center of Lake Forest4716 N Malden St, Chicago, IL 60640
Hours
- Sat9 AM to 11 AM
Who can come: Cook County residents
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Free meals
St Thomas of Canterbury
21 miles from the center of Lake Forest4827 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
Hours
- Tue5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Fri5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Who can come: Cook County residents
Listed on chicagosfoodbank.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Lake Forest
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
Northern Illinois Food Bank
273 Dearborn Court, Geneva, IL 60134
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
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.
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
Community Action Partnership of Lake County
2424 Washington Street, Suite 207, Waukegan, IL 60079
Listed on nascsp.org, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of Lake County
Lake Forest is in Lake County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Public health · County office
Lake County WIC
2400 Belvidere Road, Waukegan, IL 60085
Help here
- Women, Infants and Children nutrition assistanceEligible pregnant or postpartum women, infants, and children under five can get food benefits, nutrition help, and health care referrals.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lakecountyil.gov
Local office · Nonprofit
211 Lake County
Help here
- Local help and referralsCall 211 or text your ZIP code to 898211 to find help with food, housing, health care, utilities, and other needs.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on 211lake.org
Housing help · Regional office
Lake County Housing Authority
33928 North Route 45, Grayslake, IL 60030
Help here
- Housing assistanceEligible households can apply for public housing and housing choice vouchers when waiting lists are open.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lakecountyha.org
Public health · County office
Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center
3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085
Help here
- Public health and health careGet health care, immunizations, and help with health and community services.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lakecountyil.gov
Mental health and recovery · County office
Lake County Health Department Behavioral Health Services
3010 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085
Help here
- Behavioral health careResidents can get counseling and other mental health services for emotional and substance use concerns.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on lakecountyil.gov
Courts and legal help · County office
William D. Block Memorial Law Library and Center for Self-Representation
18 N County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
Help here
- Court forms and legal research resourcesPeople representing themselves can use court forms, legal research resources, and procedural information.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on 19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us
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 Lake County
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