Chicago, IL Consumer Law: LegalConsumer.com

Free Tools and Information for Chicago, IL Consumers

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.
- Here are links to:
  - Illinois Probate Forms and the
  - Illinois State Probate Court Website.
Small Estates Procedures in Illinois: Learn how to use Illinois's Small Estate procedures that can save you time and money.
- You can use an Affidavit in Illinois for estates with less than $100,000, not counting liens or encumbrances (like a mortgage).
  
  755 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/25-1 and following.
  
  You can use a summary probate procedure for estates in which the value of the probate estate is less than $100,000. All heirs and benefiaries must consent in writing.
  
  755 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/9-8 and following.
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.
Avoiding Probate in Illinois. Find out what property bypasses probate death and goes directly to beneficiaries. such as:
- Transfer on Death Deeds (TODDs)

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.
- In Illinois, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of no less than $8.40 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $14 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

MEANS TEST CALCULATOR
- for Cook County, Illinois (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)
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.
- Federal Exemptions available in Illinois?:
  - No. 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/12-1201
- Illinois Homestead Exemption
  - Real or personal property including a farm, lot, & buildings, condo, co-op, or mobile home to $15,000 (husband and wife may double); sale proceeds exempt for 1 year
- Illinois Vehicle Exemption
  - $2,400
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.

Benefit Amounts in Illinois: Learn how unemployment works, how much you'll get, and for how long.
- Minimum:
  - $51 per week
- Maximum:
  - $578 per week
- Duration:
  - In Illinois, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.
Eligibility: >Whether you qualify for unemployment.
How to Apply: How to apply for unemployment in Illinois.
- Illinois Department of Employment Security
  - 800-244-5631
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.

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.
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