Web Links | University Park Library

Web Links !

Websites of local interest selected by the University Park Library staff.

Index

Housing Assistance
Energy Assistance
Food Pantries
Grants, Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Social Services
Emergency Information
Consumer Information
Legal Information
Jobs and Education
Genealogy and Local History
Taxes
Hospitals and Health Care
Federal Government
State Government
County Government
Local Government
Local Schools
Local Colleges
Local Churches
Newspapers
Transportation
Elections

Housing Assistance

Hope Now – Free support and guidance for Homeowners.
Illinois Housing Development Authority – Assistance information for homeowners, renter landlords and seniors.
Housing Authority of Cook County – Rental assistance for low-income housing in Cook County. Also check here to find out about section 8 waiting list application.
Housing Choice Voucher Program – Low income rental assistance and section 8 information.
Chicago Housing Authority – Public housing assistance for the city of Chicago.
South Suburban Pads – South Suburban shelters and services for the homeless.
National Fair Housing Alliance – National Association with local affiliates dedicated to ending housing discrimination.
Mortgage Loan – An independent website providing information on Green Energy, Efficient Mortgages, with a free and anonymous mortgage loan and rate calculator.

Energy Assistance

LIHEAP – Illinois low-income energy assistance program.
IHWAP – Illinois home weatherization assistance program.
Nicor Gas – Links to programs with assistance for gas bills.
Peoples Energy – More links to programs with assistance for gas bills.
Exelon (ComEd) – Assistance program for electric bills.
Keep Warm Illinois – Home energy information form the Governor’s office.

Food Pantries

Rich Township Food Pantry – Located in Richton Park
Thornton Township Food Assistance Program – Located in Harvey
Greater Chicago Food Depository – Search over hundreds of food pantries located in the Chicago land area.
Catholic Charities Nutrition Services – Food services for Cook County.
Together We Cope – A program that gives assistance opportunities to low-income families.
CEDA – Community Economic Development Association of Cook County.

Grants, Financial Aid, & Scholarships

FAFSA – A website that helps students pay for college.
Grants.gov – A central storehouse of information on over a thousand federal grant programs.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance – Search the database of all federal assistance programs.
Small Business Administration Financial Assistance – Find programs offering financial assistance to small business.
Student Aid on the Web – A guide to federal student aid programs.
FastWeb – Scholarships, Internships, Colleges, and more.
Scholarships.com – Find FREE scholarship money and bring your college dreams to life!

Social Services

Learning Ally – Accessible Audiobooks for students with visual impairment, dyslexia, or learning disabilities. Formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.
Illinois Talking Book Outreach Center – Services for people with visual or reading disabilities.
Chicago Lighthouse – Programs and services for the blind and visually impaired.
South Suburban Family Shelter – Programs and services for families suffering from domestic violence.
Metropolitan Family Services – Metropolitan is a source for counseling, parenting programs, after-school programs, legal assistance, respite care, or mental health services.
Aunt Martha’s Youth Services and Health Center – Offers a variety of programs and services for children, teens and families in Illinois. Services include child welfare, community based healthcare, juvenile justice and prevention services.
South_Southwest Suburban United Way – Sponsors a variety of health and human services agencies in the Southland.
Family Guidance Center – A not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization that treats and prevents substance abuse.
Illinois Identification Cards– Illinois-issued identity cards for non-drivers including seniors, disabled persons and the homeless.
Social Service Connector -From the Cook County Sheriff, a directory of social service organizations that may be useful when facing an eviction.

Emergency Information

Emergency Closing Center – Find out if your school, library or daycare center is closed due to weather or other emergencies.
IDOT Winter Road Conditions – Find current winter road conditions across the state.

Consumer Information

Fuel Economy – Find gas mileage and emissions rating for new and used cars.
Institute for Consumer Credit Education – Assists low-to-moderate income consumers with issues , such as housing, bankruptcy and foreclosure.
Gazelle – Sell or recycle your used electronic gadgets.
Recycle Place – Sell your used toner and ink cartridges.
Annual Credit Report – This is the ONLY authorized, secure source to get your free annual credit report under federal law.

Legal Information

Free Court Dockets – Free access to over 33 million court case dockets.
Find Legal Help – Get help finding a lawyer, seeking free legal services, or researching your legal problems on your own.
Illinois Legal Aid – This extensive website features a variety of resources to assist patrons in answering legal questions. Se habla español.
Illinois Pro Bono – Training and practice support for volunteer attorneys. NOTE: This website is intended for use by attorneys; it is NOT intended as a resource for finding volunteer attorneys.
Illinois Legal Advocate – Those who assist others in navigating legal resources will find training and practice support here.
Handbook on Workers; Compensation and Occupational Diseases – a general guide to the rights and obligations of employees who have experienced work-related injuries or diseases, as well as the rights and obligations of their employers, under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Diseases Acts.

Jobs and Education

Job Search Resources – Resources on the internet and in the library to help you with your job search
GED Testing Program for Cook County – Find test sites and dates for the GED
i-Pathways – Find GED and adult education resources
Khan Academy – Free videos on math, science, and business topics for students
Academic Earth – Pursue a world-class education for free. Download and view lectures and courses from some of the best universities in the country.
CriminalJusticePrograms.com – For those interested in a career in Criminal Justice, this website is a comprehensive resource for information on occupational outlook and educational opportunities nationwide.
Medical Assisting Programs-For those interested in a career as a Medical Assistant, this website is a comprehensive resource for information on this program Statewide.

Genealogy and Local History

South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society – Serving South Cook County and east Will County, including Chicago’s Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods
Homewood Historical Society – Serving neighboring Homewood
Historic Pullman Foundation – Serving the Pullman Historic District in South Chicago
Illinois State Historical Society – Fosters awareness, understanding, research and preservation of Illinois history
Illinois State Genealogical Society – Research ancestors with an Illinois connection. Includes the Cemetery Location Project
Illinois State Archives – Historical depository of public records from Illinois state and local government agencies
National Archives – Historical depository of public records from the United States Federal government
Latter Day Saints Family History Records – You will find local Family History Centers located in Chicago Heights and Orland Park
Newberry Library Genealogy – Extensive genealogy collections. Includes Chicago Ancestors which shows history based on map locations
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society – A national organization located in Washington D.C.
Illinois African American Genealogy – Links to relevant records and databases
Afrigeneas – A resource for African ancestors genealogy

Taxes

IRS Tax Forms – Download your federal tax forms
Illinois State Tax Forms –Download Illinois state tax forms
IRS Offices – Find your nearest IRS office for tax assistance
IRS Free File – Find out if you qualify for free federal tax filing online
TurboTax – Easily prepare your tax return and file income taxes online.
IL-1040 Web File – Find out if you qualify for free Illinois tax filing online
Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board – Check the status of your appeal
Indiana Department of Revenue – Download Indiana state tax forms

Hospitals and Health Care

Illinois Hospital Report Card – Consumer ratings for health care choices in Illinois.
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Ingalls Health System – Information on Ingalls Memorial Hospital and other South Suburban health centers.
Franciscan St. James Health – Information/ Locations on St. James Hospital
All Kids Healthcare for Kids – Illinois program covering immunizations, lead screenings, hearing and vision screenings, and more.
Illinois Immunization Program
Cook County Immunization Program
Immunization Clinics – List of free and low-cost options for school immunizations.
Health-E Illinois – Find health services and providers in Illinois.
Handbook on Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Diseases – a general guide to the rights and obligations of employees who have experienced work-related injuries or diseases, as well as the rights and obligations of their employers, under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Diseases Acts.

Federal Government

USA.gov– The Federal Government’s web portal to a vast array of information and services.
WhiteHouse.gov – Information and programs from the Administration of 44th President Barack Obama.

State Government

State of Illinois
Illinois Blue Book – The official State of Illinois manual
Illinois Secretary of State – Find services for motorists, small businesses, seniors and persons with disabilities
Illinois Department of Revenue
Find Your Districts and Elected Officials
Illinois General Assembly
Illinois Lottery
Illinois State Police
Illinois Cash Dash – Search for unclaimed property
Illinois Benefits – Sign up for Illinois Cares RX
Circuit Breaker
Find-It! Illinois – Services from the Illinois State Library
University of Illinois Extension – Includes information on Horticulture, Parenting & Seniors, Nutrition, Schools, 4-H, Environmental Stewardship and more
Recovery Illinois – Get information on state use of federal stimulus funds and projects associated with stimulus investment

County Government

Local Colleges

Governors State University
Prairie State College
South Suburban College
Illinois Virtual Campus – Distance education through Illinois colleges and universities.
Illinois Harvest, University of Illinois – Collection of digital resources about Illinois, including maps, books, photographs, posters, and manuscripts.

Local Churches

Newspapers

Transportation

Pace Buses – Serving suburban Chicago
Metra – Chicago suburban commuter railway
Chicago Airports – Flight information for Midway and O’Hare
Illinois Tollways – Tollway information including IPASS
South Shore Line Passenger Service – Commuter trains from Northwest Indiana

Elections

Cook County Clerk Election Site – Register to vote, find your polling place and sample ballots
Vote for Judges – Nonpartisan information about Cook County judicial elections
Illinois State Bar Association – Judicial evaluations
League of Women Voters of Illinois
League of Women Voters of Cook County
Illinois State Board of Elections District/Official Search – Find contact information for your elected officials