Rent Assistance in Illinois

Last checked: November 2026. Benefits Explorer is a directory. We do not provide rent money or decide who gets help, and each program makes its own decisions.

Illinois splits rent help by whether an eviction case has been filed. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) runs the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program for renters already in eviction court over unpaid rent. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) funds Homeless Prevention through local providers for people who are behind but may not have a court case.

Legal help also splits by geography. Cook County residents use Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt, and everyone else uses Eviction Help Illinois. Chicago renters start with 311, and Illinois Legal Aid Online also lists township General Assistance offices as a statewide place to ask.

Where to Start in Illinois

Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP)

Run by IHDA for renters in a court eviction case over nonpayment, with household income at or below 80% of area median income. Per the program site, it can pay up to $10,000 toward past-due rent, up to $700 for court costs, and up to two months of future rent. Proof of citizenship is not required. The tenant applies first, then the landlord is invited to complete a section. It is a one-time benefit per household, with a waiting period before applying again. The program site shows it as open but lists no deadline, so call 866-454-3571 to confirm applications are being taken today.

Visit website · Phone: 866-454-3571 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

IDHS Homeless Prevention

For people who need rental or utility help or are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness. It works through local providers, so you call the provider listed for your county. The FY26 provider list on the IDHS site gives phone numbers by agency and county. Ask the provider whether funds are available now.

Visit website · Phone: 1-800-843-6154 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Eviction Help Illinois

Free help for lower-income renters facing eviction outside Cook County, and you do not need a court case to call. Answers a few questions by phone or text, then offers legal information, a connection to a legal professional, or referrals. Services listed include representation, document review, and help with rental payment programs and rent disputes. You can also text the word eviction to 85622.

Visit website · Phone: 855-631-0811 · Accepting applications when last checked

Township General Assistance

Illinois Legal Aid Online lists General Assistance through your township office as a statewide place to ask about help with unpaid rent. Rules and funds are set locally, so ask your township office what is available.

Visit website · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Local Rent Help in Illinois

City of Chicago 311 and Department of Family and Support Services (City of Chicago)

Illinois Legal Aid Online directs Chicago renters to 3-1-1 for emergency financial assistance. The city's Department of Family and Support Services also appears on the IDHS FY26 Homeless Prevention provider list. Ask 311 what is currently funded and how to apply.

Visit website · Phone: 312-743-0300 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

All Chicago, Making Homelessness History (Chicago and Cook County)

Listed by IDHS as an FY26 Homeless Prevention provider serving the Cook County area. Call to ask whether prevention funds are available now.

Visit website · Phone: 312-379-0301 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (Cook County, including Chicago)

Free help for Cook County tenants facing eviction and small landlords with eviction issues, at no cost to county residents and property owners. The eviction and consumer debt helpline runs weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visit website · Phone: 855-956-5763 · Accepting applications when last checked

Housing Forward (West suburban Cook County)

Appears on the IDHS FY26 Homeless Prevention provider list for this area. Confirm current funding and eligibility by phone.

Visit website · Phone: 708-338-1724 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

South Suburban Council on Homelessness (South suburban Cook County)

An IDHS FY26 Homeless Prevention provider for the south suburbs. Ask about rent or utility help and what paperwork to bring.

Visit website · Phone: 1-877-426-6515 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Rockford Health and Human Services (City of Rockford, Winnebago County)

The city's human services department is listed by IDHS as an FY26 Homeless Prevention provider for Winnebago County.

Visit website · Phone: 779-348-7169 · Call or check the website to confirm it is open

Facing Eviction in Illinois?

A written notice for unpaid rent, often called a 5-day notice, usually comes first. Private housing tenants get at least 5 days to pay, Evanston tenants at least 10, and public housing tenants 30. Only the sheriff can carry out an eviction, and only with a judge's order, so a notice alone does not remove anyone. Chicago and suburban Cook County tenants may have a one-time right to pay what is owed and stay even after a case is filed, with exceptions for some buildings. Read the official guidance

Free or low-cost legal help: Illinois Legal Aid Online. Statewide legal information and a Get Legal Help tool for Illinois residents, including plain-language guides on eviction notices, unpaid rent and defenses. Visit website

This page is general information, not legal advice. Don't ignore a notice or court papers, because eviction deadlines can be short.

Illinois Programs That Have Closed

You may still see these programs online. Check before you spend time on an application.

  • Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP): An earlier statewide rent program with an application round from December 6 through January 9, 2022. The Illinois Housing Help site states it is now closed for new applications.

More Help in Illinois

Want other options? See our full rent assistance guide, including how to spot a scam, or see your options. That form is not an application for rent assistance. If you submit it, Benefits Explorer and its partners may contact you.

Illinois Rent Assistance Questions

Who helps with rental assistance in Chicago?

Illinois Legal Aid Online points Chicago renters to 3-1-1 for emergency financial assistance. If a court case has been filed, CBRAP may also apply, and Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt can help with the case at 855-956-5763.

Is the Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program still open?

The program site shows it as open but lists no deadline. Because that page carries no date, call IHDA at 866-454-3571 to confirm before relying on it. You need an active eviction case over nonpayment to be eligible.

How long does CBRAP take, and is it a loan?

IHDA says its goal is to notify applicants within 45 days of starting application review, and warns that high demand can slow this down. Its FAQ describes the money as a grant agreement and does not mention repayment.

Can I get help if my landlord has not filed in court?

CBRAP requires a court case, but IDHS Homeless Prevention does not list that requirement. Call the provider for your county on the IDHS list. Outside Cook County, Eviction Help Illinois also takes calls before a case is filed.

Rent Assistance in Nearby States

Most programs only help people who live in their state. If you are moving or live near a state line, you can also check:

Sources: