Community Resources

If you’re having a heat related illness and need medical attention, call 911.

Cooling Centers

Cooling centers are air-conditioned public spaces where you can cool down during hot weather. Cooling centers are open to everyone.

• Cooling centers in Chicago.
• Cooling centers in Central Illinois
• Cooling centers in Southern Illinois
• Illinois tollway cooling centers

Preparing for Extreme Heat

• Prepare your home to stay cool during heat waves by adding insulation and air sealing. Learn some DIY ways to seal and insulate your home in our blog.
• If you don’t have central air conditioning, install window air conditioning units and insulate around them.
• If paying for utility bills and cooling costs is a challenge, contact LIHEAP or other utility assistance programs to learn how you can save on your energy bills.
• Identify places you can go if you need to leave your home to get cool, like libraries, stores, or cooling centers (see below for Illinois cooling center locations).

Staying Safe During Extreme Heat

• If you don’t have air conditioning at home, go to a cooling center (see below for locations).
• Use your oven and stove less to prevent more heat in your home.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and avoid high-energy activities.
• Learn and watch for the signs of heat-related illness.

Illinois Solar for All

Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) is a program that provides incentives to help make solar installations more affordable for income-eligible Illinois residents. Solar energy can help Illinois residents save money, protects them against increases in future energy costs, and is good for the environment!

Find out if you’re eligible for ILSFA incentives.

Eligible participants can find out what ILSFA opportunities are right for them by visiting this page.

Illinois Shines

If you’re not eligible for ILSFA, you can still take advantage of solar opportunities in Illinois through Illinois Shines, a state-administered program to encourage the growth of solar and renewable energy production in Illinois. Get started here.

Smart Electricity Options

Whether you rent or own your home, smart electricity options can help you save money on your electricity bill. In Illinois, ComEd and Ameren Illinois offer residential electricity options that allow you to save money by shifting your energy use to lower-priced times. Learn more about the available programs.

LIHEAP (Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

LIHEAP provides a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The program is designed to assist eligible low income households pay for winter energy services.

Community Action Agencies administer LIHEAP and provide a variety of other services, including but not limited to, assistance with rent, mortgage, food, water and sewer payments, employment training and placement, financial management, and temporary shelter. To apply for LIHEAP, contact your local Community Action Agency. The LIHEAP application period is September 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022, or until funding is exhausted.

LIHWAP (Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program)

LIHWAP  is a limited, one-time, assistance program designed to help households that are facing the threat of imminent water disconnection, have already been disconnected or have past due (arrearage) balances over $250 for their water and wastewater services combined. Customers may apply one time for water and one time for wastewater for the life of the program, which is December 1, 2021 – August 31, 2023.

Visit www.helpillinoisfamilies.com for more information on how to apply for water and other assistance this season.

CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County)

CEDA offers a variety of services to low-income families and individuals throughout the Chicagoland area including utility bill assistance, furnace repair and replacement, water assistance, and home weatherization. Find CEDA services.

Chicago Utility Billing Relief Program

Utility Billing Relief (UBR) provides Chicago residents with lower incomes a reduced rate on their water, sewer, and water-sewer tax, no late payment penalties or water shut-offs, and debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year of payments with no past due balance. Find our if you’re eligible and apply for UBR.

Utility Bill Assistance

If you are behind on paying your energy bill, most utilities have payment plans and energy assistance options to help you get back on track with your bills. Visit your utility’s site to learn more.

• Ameren payment assistance
• Peoples Gas (Peoples North Shore) payment arrangements and energy assistance
• ComEd payment assistance
• Nicor Gas payment assistance programs

Eviction Help Illinois

Eviction Help Illinois provides free legal aid, mediation services, and connections to other resources including rental assistance to increase housing stability. Find out if you’re eligible and get started.

Rental and Mortgage Assistance

Community Action Agencies provide a variety of services, including but not limited to, assistance with rent, mortgage, food, water and sewer payments, employment training and placement, financial management, and temporary shelter. To find resources in your area, locate your agency on the map.

Mobile Crisis Response and Shelter Referral Program (MCRSRP)

The MCRSRP program provides 24/7 response to non life-threatening requests for residents experiencing homelessness and crisis – including connecting clients to homeless shelters and wraparound services for behavioral health, substance abuse, domestic violence and more.

Anyone can call 311 at any time to request shelter, transportation, well-being checks, and other services.

Learn more on the MCRSRP website.

City of Chicago Homeless Services

The City of Chicago has multiple programs and services for rental assistance to prevent homelessness, as well as services for people experiencing homelessness. Learn more on their website.

Feeding Illinois

Feeding Illinois offers a variety of services including grocery payment assistance, tax credits, and other food benefits. Learn more on their website.

Illinois Department of Human Services Food Connections

This website shows a list of food assistance locations in Illinois, as well as resources that can connect you to food pantries and soup kitchens.

Small Accessibility Repairs for Seniors (SARFS)

Elevate is one of several organizations that administers home accessibility repairs through the SARFS program. Repairs may include installing grab bars in the bathroom, adding handrails, replacing doors, repairing stairs, and more. Find out if you’re eligible here.

Illinois Department on Aging

The Illinois Department on Aging provides information of a variety of benefits, services, and programs for Illinois older adults. Learn more on their website.

You can also call the Senior HelpLine to connect with someone who can help you locate services in your community and answer your questions. Call 1-800-252-8966, or call 1-888-206-1327 for a teletypewriter connection if you are hard of hearing.

Agencies and Organizations Serving Illinois Seniors

This directory lists agencies, organizations, and support groups that serve Illinois seniors and their caregivers in a variety of ways. See the directory here.

LIHEAP (Illinois Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

LIHEAP provides a one-time benefit to eligible households to be used for energy bills. The program is designed to assist eligible low income households pay for winter energy services.

Community Action Agencies administer LIHEAP and provide a variety of other services, including but not limited to, assistance with rent, mortgage, food, water and sewer payments, employment training and placement, financial management, and temporary shelter. To apply for LIHEAP, contact your local Community Action Agency. The LIHEAP application period is September 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022, or until funding is exhausted, and priority is usually given to seniors and persons with disabilities.