Rental Help: Illinois
    Tenant Rights      Legal Assistance      Utility Bills

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    COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

    State and local organizations are distributing money to help landlords and renters struggling to keep up with rent and other bills. Many programs take applications from both landlords and renters. Use the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s tool or the table below.

    Learn more about the State of Illinois, Cook County, and City of Chicago COVID-19 rental assistance programs, including eligibility requirements and documents you will need to apply.

    ProgramProgram StatusCommunities ServedProgram Information
    IDHS Illinois Housing HelpOpenState of IllinoisApply by contacting an IDHS Provider Agency in your area.
    Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP)OpenState of Illinois (outside Cook County)Apply online. Assistance for tenants and landlords with pending cases in eviction court. More information online or call (866) 454-3571.
    Rental Assistance Program (RAP)OpenChicagoApply online. Assistance to Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless. To apply in person or receive application assistance call or visit a City of Chicago Community Service Center.
    Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)ClosedChicagoProgram is currently closed.
    Apply for Illinois Housing Help or contact Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt at (855) 956-5763.
    Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)ClosedSuburban Cook County (not Chicago)Program is currently closed.
    Apply for Illinois Housing Help or contact Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt at (855) 956-5763.

    For questions, call (833) 221-9821.
    Champaign County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA)ClosedChampaign CountyProgram is currently closed.
    Apply for Illinois Housing Help.

    For questions, call (217) 328-3313.
    Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (FERA)ClosedLake CountyProgram is currently closed.
    Apply for Illinois Housing Help.

    For questions, call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 899211. FAQs are available online.
    Madison County Rent & Mortgage AssistanceClosedMadison CountyProgram is currently closed.
    Apply for Illinois Housing Help.

    For questions, call (618) 296-4396.
    McHenry County Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramOpenMcHenry CountySubmit form online. For questions, call (815) 338-7752.
    Winnebago County Rental Help (WCERA)ClosedWinnebago CountyProgram is currently closed.
    Apply for Illinois Housing Help.

    For questions, call (815) 972-7368 or email contact@renthelp.wincoil.us.

     

    Other Rental and Utility Assistance Programs

    • Community Action Agencies - Community Action Agencies provide a variety of services, including rental assistance, as well as mortgage assistance, food, utility bill assistance, employment training/placement, financial management, and temporary shelter.
    • Help Illinois Families - Online form to make it easier and faster to request emergency assistance to cover costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities.
    • Illinois Department of Human Services - Call (833) 234-6343 to be connected with rental/mortgage/utility assistance if you are at risk of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. You can also be connected with food, medical, shelter, recovery, and other resources.
    • 211 - Call 2-1-1 to be connected to local health and human service assistance.
    • Help with your utility bills

     

    Eviction

    1. Review resources before moving or choosing to self-evict
    2. Apply for emergency rental assistance
    3. Contact a legal assistance organization, such as:
    4. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or call (800) 569-4287
    5. Review local tenant rights, laws and protections
    6. Review other eviction resources:

     

    Find Affordable Housing

    Federal, state, and local governments help privately-owned properties offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.

    You can use the links below to find privately-owned, affordable housing. For more information and to apply, directly contact the properties that interest you.

     

    Contact a housing counseling agency

    • HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process, including rental housing counseling.
    • A housing counseling agency can:
      • Help you identify an affordable unit.
      • Provide information on tenant rights and fair housing issues.
      • Counsel you on household budgeting and good rental practices.
      • Connect you with community resources.
    • Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.

     

    Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers

    Information on Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers Programs
    Local public housing agencies (PHAs) administer the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs.

    How to apply
    To apply for either program, contact your local PHA. Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA.

    Report an issue or concern
    If you have an issue, concern, or a question, follow these steps.

    1. Report the issue to your landlord, property owner, or manager.
    2. If they do not address the issue, contact your PHA.
    3. If your issue is still not resolved, contact your local HUD office.

    ​​Difficulty using your Housing Choice Voucher

     

    Other Resources

     

    Fair Housing Rights
    It is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. Learn more.

    • Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) organizations may be able to speak to a housing provider on your behalf; conduct an investigation, including testing, to help determine if you experienced discrimination; and provide you with assistance.
    • If you believe your rights may have been violated or are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to submit a complaint.
    • Because there are time limits on when a complaint can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should submit a complaint as soon as possible.
    • You may file a complaint online, call us toll-free at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339 (TTY), or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.