Chicago, IL Consumer Law: LegalConsumer.com

Tools and Resources for Chicago, IL Consumers

Free Illinois MEANS TEST CALCULATOR for Cook County (applies the state and county income and expense standards into your means test calculation. Updated with the latest median income and expense standards for April 1, 2024)
Free Illinois BANKRUPTCY EXEMPTION FINDER: Search detailed listings of bankruptcy exemptions under Illinois law and Federal law, for use in filing out Schedule C, when you file for bankruptcy.
Illinois BANKRUPTCY COURT ESSENTIAL INFO: Get information about using your local bankruptcy court.
FREE BANKRUPTCY FORMS:
We'll tell you which bankruptcy forms you need and where to find them.

Illinois PROBATE COURT FINDER:
Probate Court for Cook County: Key information about your local probate court (Circuit Court in Illinois) for Cook County.
How Probate Works in Illinois: How to handle the probate of an inheritance at Cook County's probate court.
Small Estates Procedures in Illinois: Learn how to use Illinois's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.
Illinois Estate Taxes:
The state of Illinois imposes an estate tax on property owned in Illinois. If you are inheriting property from the state of Illinois, it may be subject to estate tax if the overall value of the estate is more than $4,000,000.
Ways to Avoid Probate in Illinois. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

Benefit Amounts in Illinois: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Illinois.
Unemployment Office Near Me? How to find your local unemployment office.
COVID-19 Benefits: We tracked the rise and fall of COVID-19 unemployment benefit payments.

Illinois Minimum Wage:
The minimum wage in Illinois is $14 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Illinois must be paid at least $14 an hour.

Cook County Minimum Wage

In Cook County, the current minimum wage is $14.00 an hour.

Chicago Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in the city of Chicago is currently $15.80 if you work for an employer that has more than 20 employees, or $15 an hour if you work for an employer with four to 20 employees.
Overtime Pay: Every state has rules about weekly maximum hours and overtime. Learn about the overtime laws in Illinois and whether they apply to you.
Wage Claims: If you're being unlawfully underpaid, you need to learn how to file a "Wage Claim" in Illinois.
Tips : Every state has special pay rates for tipped workers. Find out the rules for tipped workers in Illinois.

State Standards For Custody Decisions: How Illinois Courts make child custody decisions
Family Court for Cook County: Cook County Family Court information, including maps, forms and links.
Enforcement of Custody Orders: Can you enlist local police to help enforce a custody court order?
Child Custody Lawyers: To help you handle your child custody matters.

Sign Up: We have the latest on how to sign up for Obamacare Insurance for 2023 in Illinois!
Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Illinois? Learn about whether Illinois imposes tax penalties for not having health insurance.
Special Enrollment Periods: How to enroll because of a "special enrollment period."
Rates & Providers in Your County: Information and rates for providers for Cook County if you live in a state served by Healthcare.gov.

Elected Representatives: Find out the websites and phone numbers of those representing you at the Federal, State, County, and City levels of government.
How to Vote: Learn how to register and where and when to vote in Chicago, IL.
Gerrymandering in Illinois: Has your state been gerrymandered? Find out how to end gerrymandering and have voters pick politicians, not vice versa.
Tracking Issues: Organizations that track legislation you care about

Our Lawyers by Zipcode section allows users to find a local lawyer using the best online resources, including on topics we don't cover.
DUI, Criminal Defense
Auto Accidents & Personal Injury
Immigration