What legal topics and issues can I get help with on Illinois Legal Aid Online?

Illinois Legal Aid Online (illinoislegalaid.org) organizes free legal information, forms, and referrals by topic area. If you have a legal question about family, housing, money, work, school, health benefits, immigration, civil rights, crime, or court procedures in Illinois, you can start by picking the topic that matches your situation. The site is built for people who need to understand Illinois law and take action on their own — not just read general explanations.

Main topic areas on the site

The homepage presents a "pick a topic" menu. The categories below reflect what is listed there, along with examples of the specific issues under each.

Family & Safety

• Human trafficking
• Divorce
• Parental responsibilities (custody and visitation)
• Child support and child care
• Elder abuse or neglect

House & Apartment

• Eviction
• Tenants' rights and rental housing
• Mortgage foreclosure
• Owning a home
• Fair housing

Money & Debt

• Financial wellness
• Identity theft and coerced debt
• Credit reports and background checks
• Debt collection
• Car loans and repossession

Business & Work

• Getting paid
• Getting time off work
• Being fired unfairly
• Working as a child
• Workers with health or disability issues

School & Education

• School residency or enrollment
• Discipline, expulsion, or suspension
• Bullying
• Paying for school
• Students with disabilities

Health & Benefits

• SNAP benefits (food stamps)
• TANF benefits
• General Assistance
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Immigrants & Immigration

• Immigration arrests and detention
• Deportation and removal proceedings
• Lawful permanent residency (green card holder)
• Asylum and refuge
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

Voting & Civil Rights

• LGBTQIA+ issues
• Voting rights
• Open records
• Reproductive rights
• Other rights

Crime & Traffic

• Cannabis
• Human trafficking
• Driver's licenses, state ID, or permits
• Car accidents
• Parking or traffic tickets

Court & Hearings

• Appeals
• E-filing
• Fees
• Starting a new case
• Responding to an existing case

Estates & Powers of Attorney

• Powers of attorney
• Living wills and other health directives
• Preparing an estate

How to use the topic list to find your answer

1. Identify the broad area first. Ask yourself which category your problem falls under — for example, a landlord withholding a security deposit belongs under House & Apartment, while unpaid wages belong under Business & Work.
2. Open that category and scan the sub-issues. The site breaks each area into narrower questions (e.g., "Eviction" vs. "Tenants' rights and rental housing") so you land on the page closest to your facts.
3. Use the search box if you already know your issue. The site includes a Google custom search block, so you can type a phrase like "security deposit" or "wrongful termination" instead of browsing.
4. Check the language switcher. A language switcher is available in the user account menu, so you can view content in a language other than English if needed.
5. Look for forms and referrals, not just articles. The site's stated purpose includes free legal forms and referrals, so once you find your topic page, check whether it links to a fillable form or a legal aid office near you.

What the site is and is not

Illinois Legal Aid Online is an information and self-help resource. It covers the topic areas listed above and points you toward free forms and referrals. It is not a law firm, and the topic pages are organized to help you understand the law and take action yourself. If your issue falls outside the listed categories — or if you need someone to represent you — the referral function is the next step.

Quick reference: match your problem to a topic

If you are not sure where your question fits, start with the search box or the "Ask ILAO" option shown on the homepage, then move to the matching topic page for details and forms.