Community Resources for Illinois Families

This list provides information about community resources for families in Illinois.
Web Resources
-
Baby Safe Haven Law Information
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
This page provides links to brochures and posters regarding the baby safe haven law.
-
Crisis Nursery Programs
Source: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
When families are in the process of figuring out emergency housing, they may find temporary child care for their young children to be a helpful support. Families in Illinois with children under the age of six may call for assistance or be referred by a friend, family member, school, or social services agency for child care help during a short-term crisis situation. This tab provides contact information for the nurseries located in Urbana, Springfield, Rockford, Bloomington, Chicago, and Peoria. Call the local nursery listed for direct assistance.
-
Early Intervention Office Locator
Source: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
This early intervention office locator allows you to search by your Illinois county to find your local Child and Family Connections office.
-
Education Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Special Education in Illinois
(also in Spanish)Source: Illinois State Board of Education
This guide (found on the Parents’ Rights page of the State Board of Education website) is for parents, teachers, administrators, and others to help them learn about the educational rights of children who have disabilities and receive special education and related services.
- Chapter 3 – Referral and Evaluation (PDF) Page 18 of this document clarifies that in Illinois, the law states that school districts have up to 60 school days (as opposed to calendar days) to complete an evaluation for special education.
-
Food Banks
Source: Feeding Illinois
This graphic map shows the coverage areas of Illinois Food Banks by County.
-
Food Connections
Source: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
This directory lists agencies that provide supplemental food, emergency meal, and other feeding programs in Illinois. Listings are by region and county.
-
HUD Resource Locator
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
This web page provides a map-based search for affordable housing, local public housing authorities, homeless resources, and HUD offices across the United States.
-
Illinois Department of Human Services
Source: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
The Department of Human Services provides Illinois residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving to move from welfare to work and economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.IDHS provides equitable access to social/human services, supports, programs, and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve.
-
Illinois Housing Search
(also in Spanish)Source: ILHousingSearch.org
This web site provides an online search for affordable housing in Illinois. In addition, it provides detailed information and links to housing resources, helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and information about renter rights and responsibilities.
-
Illinois Public Libraries
Source: Public Libraries
This page contains a list of public libraries in Illinois.
-
La Leche League of Illinois
Source: La Leche League USA
La Leche League helps parents, families, and communities to breastfeed, chestfeed, and human milk feed their babies through parent-to-parent support.
-
Member Diaper Banks
Source: National Diaper Bank Network
This page provides links to community-based diaper banks throughout the U.S.
-
Rental Assistance Program
Source: Illinois Housing Development Authority
This website has information about rental assistance through the Illinois Housing Development Authority and links to various programs that provide rental assistance and subsidized housing.
-
Summer Food Service Program
Source: Illinois State Board of Education
This is a listing of sites where children can receive a nutritious meal when school is not in session.
-
Utility Bill Assistance
Source: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
This web page provides information about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Illinois and a link to a directory of Community Action Agencies that administer the program.
-
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Source: Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS)
This program provides supplemental nutrition resources, including infant formula or breastfeeding supports through supplemental food and breast pumps to infants and children under age five and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding mothers.
About this resource
Setting(s) for which the article is intended:- Home
Intended audience(s):
- Parents / Family
Age Levels (the age of the children to whom the article applies):