Resource Guide

Access Living is a cross-disability organization governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities that fosters satisfying lifestyles. Access Living offers peer-oriented independent living services, community organization and outreach, policy analysis, public education, awareness and development and individual and systemic advocacy and enforcement of civil rights on behalf of persons with disabilities.

Phone: (312) 640-2100
Toll Free: (800) 613-8549
TTY: (312) 640-2102

Toll Free TTY: (888) 253-7003

115 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654

Serving suburban Cook County, the purpose of this agency is to connect older adults, aged 60 and over, with resources and options for care so that they can have a full range of choices and live their lives to the fullest. AgeOptions funds, coordinates and advocates for older adults and their family caregivers.

Phone: (708) 383-0258

Toll Free: (800) 699-9043
TTY: (708) 524-1653

1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL 60301

CDEL Coordinates the provision of quality legal services, pro bono, to low-income seniors and/or persons with disabilities in Cook County.  CDEL focuses its legal services on systemic issues which have a disparate impact on their clientele, specifically, issues related to financial stability, housing, end of life planning, and financial exploitation and abuse.

Note: CIF is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

Phone: (312) 376-1880

79 West Monroe Street, Suite 919
Chicago, IL 60603

Center for Independent Futures is a not-for-profit organization that helps individuals with disabilities and their families access the skills and opportunities to realize full lives. This website contains information on products and services available to establish sustainable solutions through community living options, personal networks and lifelong planning and education. CIF is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

Phone: (847) 328-2044

1015 W. Davis Street

Evanston, IL  60201

This website provides information on special housing initiatives, REDI, Adopt-A-Senior program, and the CHA Alumni Association. The agency works toward providing affordable housing for lower-income residents.

Phone: (312) 742-8500

60 East Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60605

Information is available on this website for all city services available in Evanston including services for seniors and people with disabilities such as the Long Term Care Ombudsman, Handyman Program, Subsidized Taxicab Service, Circuit Breaker Program and many others.

Levy Senior Center
300 Dodge Avenue
Evanston IL 60202
Phone: (847) 448-8250

Audrey L. Thompson
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Phone: (847) 448-8173

CJE offers a comprehensive network of housing, healthcare, community services, education and applied research to older adults and their families throughout Metropolitan Chicago. CJE’s Linkages program is an information and referral service for families of adults with disabilities.

Phone: (773) 508-1000
3003 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645

Clearbrook provides services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities. This organization works with more than 3,400 children and adults clients each year, and their families, in more than 160 communities throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Clearbrook’s unique approach offers a customized goal plan for each client, based on the desires and wishes of both client and family.  Programs for adults include specialized day programs, employment services, and residential facilities.

Phone: (847) 870-7711
1835 West Central Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

This organization grew out of the need for a statewide cross-disability rights organization that advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. For over twenty years CCDI has worked to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and teach the skills needed to affect change through our grassroots advocacy efforts. This website provides information on CCDI’s advocacy and education programs.

Phone/TTY: (217) 522-7016

Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 433-8848

3 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 1
Springfield, IL 62701

This website is designed to assist caregivers in locating resources for clients of all ages. It is easy to use and contains information on approximately 5,000 community programs that provide in-home services, health care, legal advocacy, benefits assistance, vision or hearing evaluations, home delivered meals, counseling, vocational programs, and many other services.

This website provides links to eligibility and application information for state residential, in-home support, and day service programs. The site also includes information about other services, such as Support Services Teams (SSTs), which provide technical assistance and training response to persons with a developmental disability in a medical or behavioral situation that challenges their ability to live and thrive in the community.

Toll-Free: (800) 843-6154

TTY: (312) 793-2354

401 South Clinton Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
 

DHS Help Line:

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 843-6154

Toll-Free TTY: (800) 447-6404

Information on services provided through this nonprofit agency are on this website. The mission of Equip for Equality is to advance the human and civil rights of children and adults with physical and mental disabilities in Illinois. It is the only statewide, cross-disability, comprehensive advocacy organization providing self-advocacy assistance, legal services, and disability rights education while also engaging in public policy and legislative advocacy and conducting abuse investigations and other oversight activities.

Phone: (312) 341-0022

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 537-2632

Toll-Free TTY: (800) 610-2779

20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602

This not-for-profit agency promotes the availability of assistive technology services and programs for people with disabilities. IATP serves all people with disabilities in the state of Illinois, their families, service providers, state agencies, private industry, educators, and other interested individuals, regardless of age or income. This website can be used to apply for the IATP device loan program, cash loans for assistive technology and employment, home ownership, AT classifieds to sell assistive devices, access to the DRS reutilization program where used assistive devices that are available are catalogued, information on AT assessments (can be done in home) and much more useful information on how to access assistive technology.

Phone: (217) 522-7985

TTY: (217) 522-9966

Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 852-5110

1 West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 100
Springfield, Illinois 62701

IDPH sets the standards for hospital, assisted living and nursing home care, and maintains the state’s vital records. This site has copies of state forms for advance directives (living will, DNR, mental health directives and power of attorney).

IDPH has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.

Downtown Chicago:
Phone: (312) 814-2793
122 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60603

Springfield:
Phone: (217) 782-4977
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761

This program helps people of modest means buy houses and the agency also builds decent, safe apartments that are available at reasonable rents.

Phone: (312) 836-5200

TDD: (312) 836-5222

401 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60611

The Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living is a statewide association representing the 23 Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in Illinois. INCIL is a source of information about Illinois CILs and issues critical to promoting independent living for all persons with disabilities. The purpose of INCIL is to facilitate the collaboration of all CILs in Illinois for promoting equal opportunities and civil rights for all persons with disabilities through the Independent Living Movement.

Phone/TTY: (217) 525-1308

Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 587-1227

One West Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 501
Springfield, IL 62701

JCFS provides services to children, adults and families who have an array of disabilities. This website provides information on programs including residential care, professional consultation, developmental play groups, assessment, social and education programs, respite, counseling and specialized camp experiences.

Note: CIF is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

JCFS has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.

Toll-Free Phone:  855-ASK-JCFS  (855-275-5237)

Central Office:

216 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606

This website has information on JVS programs which include training programs to build skills needed to succeed in the workforce, and one-on-one job search assistance is specifically tailored to meet the needs of clients who can be anyone but especially focused on services to youth and adults with disabilities, the transgender community, older workers and the Jewish Community.

Note: JVS is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

JVS has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.

Phone: (312) 673-3400

Main Office:
216 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 700
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Keshet provides of educational, recreational, vocational and social programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities operating according to traditional Jewish values. Our mission is to enhance independence and integration to optimize personal potential.  Keshet’s GADOL Program (Giving Adults Daily Opportunities for Living) offers programming, volunteer, and vocational opportunities to enable adults with developmental disabilities to reach their potential.

Note: Keshet is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

Phone: (847) 205-1234

617 Landwehr Road
Northbrook, IL 60062

Life's Plan, Inc. assists families in addressing the very difficult and universal question: "Who will care for my family member when I am gone?" Life’s Plan operates as a pooled trust program meeting the supplemental support needs of people with disabilities while not jeopardizing state and federal entitlements.

Phone: (630) 628-7169

901 Warrenville Road, Suite 500
Lisle, IL 60532

LINKAGES is a unique program that assists seniors who are the primary caregivers of adult children with disabilities to address the issues, needs and concerns of their family. Professional staff explore resource options and offer expertise and advice on service coordination, advocacy, future planning and government benefits. A family support group meets twice monthly and allows families to come together to discuss the similar situations they face.

Phone: (773) 508-1694

3003 West Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645

Misericordia offers a continuum of care to meet the diverse needs of persons with mild to profound developmental disabilities to allow them to live as independently as possible in the highest level of community integration feasible. Residential settings include CILAs, On-campus apartments, Group homes and a skilled nursing residence.

Phone: (773) 973-6300

6300 North Ridge
Chicago, IL 60660

This website provides information on services and resources available through the local Chicago branch office of National Alliance on Mental Illness which is a grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families.

Phone: (312) 563-0445

1536 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

PACT, Inc. is committed to assisting individuals with disabilities live engaged and meaningful lives through independent service coordination throughout the life span. PACT offers programs that help link people to the service and supports they choose and assist in their ongoing satisfaction with those services and supports. The Life Management Services program advises and assists families, trust officers, attorneys and other professionals in meeting the current and future needs of individuals with disabilities in Northeastern Illinois. Through this program, PACT offers advocacy, guardian of person and/or estate, and trustee or personal budgeting assistant services, all with the goal of ensuring that appropriate supports are present to ensure maximum independence with freedom from exploitation.

Phone: (630) 960-9700

TDD: (331) 481-4347

750 Warrenville Road, Suite 300
Lisle, IL 60532

Information and an events calendar about services available through Palatine Township Senior Center for anyone over 50 years of age.

Phone: (847) 991-1112

505 South Quentin Road
Palatine, IL 60067

This website provides information on the network of supportive living and senior apartments available through Pathway Senior Living.

Phone: (847) 768-5100

Toll-Free Phone: (888) 342-1111

701 Lee Street #500
Des Plaines, IL 60016

Progress Center directly assists persons with disabilities to establish lives in the community. Services are provided to people with disabilities of all ages to increase and maintain independence. Families and communities are also assisted. All Centers for Independent Living (CIL) provide four core service areas – information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills and peer counseling. Also administers Proviso Township Home Modification Program which can provide funds for home modifications to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including seniors.

Phone: (708) 209-1500

TTY: (708) 209-1826

7521 Madison Street
Forest Park, IL 60130

Located at 345 East Superior Street in Chicago, the Life Center is a library of resources (books, videos, magazines and multimedia learning resources) for persons with disabilities and their families. The Life Center website also offers virtual access to its resource collection and includes information on disability organizations, government agencies, support groups and health information on key areas of life.

Phone: (312) 238-LIFE (5433)

345 East Superior Street, First Floor
Chicago, IL 60611

Administered by the State of Illinois Department of Insurance, SHIP is a state sponsored counseling service provided at no charge. Volunteer counselors provide information on Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, retiree health plans, claims processing, and appealing claims denials.

Chicago Office:
Phone: (312) 814-2420
100 West Randolph Street, Suite 9-301
Chicago, IL 60601-3395

State Office:
Phone: (217) 782-4515
320 West Washington
Springfield, IL 62767

The Arc of Illinois is committed to empowering persons with developmental disabilities to achieve full participation in community life through informed choices. This website provides links to important advocacy and referral services, such as Illinois Life Span, Family to Family Health Information and Education Center, and The Family Support Network.

Phone: (815) 464-1832

20901 LaGrange Road, Suite #209

Frankfort, IL 60423

The ARK provides a multitude of free social and medical services to help distressed members of the Chicagoland Jewish family return to self-sufficiency. The ARK is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

Note: The ARK is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

The ARK:

Phone: (773) 973-1000

6450 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60645

The ARK Northwest:
Phone: (773) 973-0011

3100 Dundee Road, Suite 204
Northbrook, IL 60062

The Arts of Life is an organization which strives to involve people with and without disabilities in the creation of art and art culture. The organization has four core values which guide its collaborative work: promoting self-respect, inspiring artistic expression, building community, and developing independence. Participation is open to adults with a primary diagnosis of developmental disability who have an interest in creating art.

Two studio locations:

North Shore StudioPhone: (847) 486-0808
1963 Johns Drive
Glenview, IL 60025

Chicago Studio
Phone: (312) 829-2787
2010 West Carroll
Chicago, IL 60612

Members of the Academy of Special Needs Planners are attorneys who devote a significant part of their practices to working with individuals with special needs and their families. The site provides a national registry of attorneys who are members and also provides resources and a general overview of strategies parents and others can use to plan for their own futures and for those of family members with special needs.

Toll-Free Phone: (866) 296-5509

150 Chestnut Street, 4th Floor
Providence, RI 02903

Website provides information on services available across the country to people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families including a 24 hour hotline, community resources and support groups, basic information in the form of fact sheets and videos as well as a virtual library.

24/7 Helpline:
Phone: (800) 272-3900
TDD: (866) 403-3073

National office:
Phone: (312) 335-8700
TDD: (312) 335-5886

225 North Michigan Avenue, Fl. 17
Chicago, IL 60601-7633

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the country's largest cross-disability membership organization, organizes the disability community to be a powerful voice for change – politically, economically, and socially in implementing the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This website contains copies of all AAPS newsletters and information on current activities of this dynamic advocacy organization.

Phone/TTY: (202) 457-0046

Toll-Free Phone/TTY: (800) 840-8844

2013 H Street NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20006

This website provides lots of information and tools for making difficult decisions about aging related issues including retirement, benefits, health care, insurance, long term care, and care giving.

Toll-Free Phone: (888) OUR-AARP (687-2277)
Toll-Free TTY: (877) 434-7598
Toll-Free Spanish: (877) 342-2277

601 E Street NW
Washington DC 20049

This website provides important information and technical assistance on implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 514-0301

Toll-Free TTY: (800) 514-0383

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Civil Rights Division
Disability Rights Section - NYA
Washington, D.C. 20530

Find and enroll in federal, state, local and private programs that help pay for health care, prescription drugs, utility bills, meals and other needs.

Phone: (202) 479-1200

National Council on Aging
1901 L Street NW, 4th Floor 
Washington, D.C. 20036 

ILRU provides research, education and consultation in the areas of independent living, the Americans with Disabilities Act, home and community based services and health issues for people with disabilities. The ILRU website can be used to provide training and information dissemination including web casts and teleconferences, in addition to information on a myriad of projects led by ILRU and breaking news and useful information. The website also contains discussion boards with the latest perspectives on important independent living, home and community based services, health and wellness, and other disability issues.

Phone/TTY: (713) 520-0232

2323 South Shepherd, Suite 1000
Houston, Texas 77019

This is the official U.S. government site for Medicare beneficiaries that provides access to information about Medicare, including eligibility, health plans, prescription drug plans, long term care, billing, and the appeals process.

Toll-Free Phone: (800) MEDICARE (633-4227)

Toll-Free TTY: (877) 486-2048

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

This website is designed to give answers about Medicare benefits. It was created and is maintained by the Medicare Rights Center which works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling, educational programs and public policy initiatives.

Toll-Free Helpline: (800) 333-4114

Phone: (202) 637-0961

Medicare Rights Center
1224 M Street NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20005

Aging In Place connects seniors, families, and caretakers with the information and professional support they need to make the best decision for their physical, emotional, and financial well being. Our resources and network of experts help ensure your home evolves to best accommodate your changing budget, mobility, and health.

Phone: (877) 664-6140

1530 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22209

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. This website offers links to local organizations and groups for families and consumers in your area.

Toll-Free Phone: (800) 346-4572

218 West Lawrence Avenue
Springfield, IL 62704

The NCOA is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization which works to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, especially in the areas of health, economic security, and public policy.

Phone: (202) 479-1200

1901 L Street NW, 4th Floor 
Washington, D.C. 20036 

The National Organization on Disability (NOD) researches, develops, and demonstrates creative approaches to disability employment issues. This website includes links and information on employment resources, transportation resources, and emergency preparedness for persons with disabilities, in addition to research and publications about these topics.

Phone: (646) 505-1191 ext. 122

77 Water Street, Suite 204
New York, NY 10005

This website provides information on the latest research, model programs and policy issues pertaining to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. It describes training and technical assistance opportunities, conferences and available resources. These resources are available as written products, videotapes and CDs. Many of the products can be downloaded at no cost. This website is designed for researchers and professionals, as well as families and persons with disabilities.

Note: RRTCADD is a member of the Linkages Workgroup.

Phone: (312) 413-1520
TTY: (312) 413-0453
Toll Free Phone: (800) 996-8845

1640 West Roosevelt Road, M/C 626
Chicago, Illinois 60608-6904

Online resource center that provides the most comprehensive and current information for service providers and patients confronted with medication access issues. Staff are available to answer questions via e-mail to assist in identifying specific resource options.

Email: info@rxassist.org

This website provides information and applications to all social security programs and benefits, including disability programs, Social Security Disability Insurance/Supplemental Security Income (SSDI/SSI) and the Ticket to Work Program.

The Social Security Administration has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.

Toll-Free Phone (24/7): (800) 772-1213

TTY (7am-7pm): (800) 325-0778

This website is loaded with information and tools on how to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act. Steve is an attorney located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and he believes that Information is power so he wants everyone to have access to this information and to advocate for change.

The Arc is the world’s largest community-based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 730 state and local chapters across the nation. This website provides links to local organization chapters which are essential tools in finding local resources of all sorts.

The Arc has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.

National Office:
Phone: (202) 534-3700
Toll-Free Phone: (800) 433-5255
1825 K Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20006

ICDRI’s website includes information on disability resources and best practices.

Phone: (919) 349-6661

4312 Birchlake Court
Alexandria, VA 22309

This Federal agency is responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, that improve and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws. Site contains HUD News, program information, HUD Handbooks and Regulations, and more. This website also provides listings and information on local subsidized housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

HUD has multiple office locations. Please see the above website for a complete listing.

Chicago Regional Office:

Phone: (312) 353-5680
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604-3507

Fair Housing Resource Center:
Toll-Free Phone: (800) CALL-FHA (225-5342)