For tax information, check our Tax Forms page. For information about wills and estate planning, check our Personal Finance Information Guide. More information is available in these relevant databases.
Everyone, regardless of immigration status, has basic rights under the U.S. Constitution and civil rights laws. Learn more about what your rights are, how to exercise them, and what to do when your rights are violated.
- Print a "Know Your Rights" card
- Civil Rights Hotline: 877-581-3692
Per the State of Illinois Office of the Attorney General, you have the right:
- To remain silent.
- Not open doors for police or immigration officers unless they have a warrant.
- Request to see a warrant signed by a judge.
- Request to speak to an attorney.
- Request an interpreter.
The First Amendment protects your right to protest. Learn more about protesters' rights, recording and documenting, and more from the ACLU.
If you need legal advice or representation, there are many community resources for finding a lawyer, including free and low-cost options.
- The CARPLS Cook County Legal Hotline, which you can call at 312-738-9200, will provide free legal advice and referrals to other organizations.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online has an online referral service to help you find legal assistance.
- Attorneys working with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services may be able to assist you. You can call them at 312-332-1634.
- The Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services has a hotline you can call at 312-986-4105.
Some official forms are available from government websites, but others are harder to find. Beware of predatory websites which will let you fill out a form for free but charge you to save or print it. Here are reliable resources for legal forms.
- The Form Library at Illinois Legal Aid Online has downloadable forms, as well as their Easy Forms, which the website will walk you through.
If you’re looking for information to help you understand how the law works, there are a lot of resources you can use.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online has quick, easy-to-understand guides about different legal topics, including immigration, bankruptcy, and divorce.
- If you prefer physical books, those are also available to check out from the library.
