Last updated: May 20, 2026
Urgent help in Illinois
If you or your children are in immediate danger, call 911. If it is not safe to call, move to the safest place you can and ask a trusted person to call for you.
For domestic violence help anywhere in Illinois, call or text 877-863-6338. The Illinois hotline is 24/7, confidential, and can connect you with shelter, safety support, legal advocacy, and local services. Language help is available.
If you are outside Illinois or want national help, contact the National DV Hotline at 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use online chat. If a website or phone history could put you at risk, use a safer device if you can.
Bottom line
Illinois has real help for domestic violence survivors, but you may need more than one office. Start with the statewide hotline for safety and shelter referrals. Then use the court system for an Order of Protection, a domestic violence advocate for local help, and benefit programs for food, cash, child care, health care, and housing support.
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice, safety advice, medical advice, or a promise that a program will approve you. Domestic violence situations can change quickly. A trained advocate or attorney can help you think through choices in a safer way.
Quick contact table
| Need | Start here | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger | 911 | Emergency response for you and your children. |
| Domestic violence shelter or advocacy | IDHS domestic violence services or 877-863-6338 | Shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, children’s services, and safety support. |
| Find a local program | ILCADV provider directory | A domestic violence agency by county or service type. |
| General local help | 211 Illinois | Food, shelter, transportation, diapers, utility help, and local nonprofits. |
| Protection order forms | court protection forms | The statewide forms Illinois courts must accept. |
| Court navigation | Illinois Court Help | Basic court help by call or text during posted hours. |
| Crime-related expenses | crime victim compensation | Reimbursement for eligible costs after a violent crime. |
| Mental health crisis | 988 Illinois | Call or text 988 for crisis support. |
Where to start if you are overwhelmed
You do not have to handle every problem at once. Pick the next safest step.
If you need a safe place tonight
Call or text 877-863-6338 and say you need shelter or emergency housing. Ask if the advocate can search outside your county if nearby programs are full.
If you need court protection
Use the ILAO Easy Form or ask a local advocate to help you prepare Order of Protection papers.
If you need food or cash
Apply through the ABE portal for SNAP, cash assistance, and health coverage. Ask about emergency SNAP if food is urgent.
If you need a local plan
Use the emergency help guide with the hotline and 211 to build a short list of nearby options.
Domestic violence advocates in Illinois
Illinois domestic violence programs can provide free and private services. The state says services can include a 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, temporary food and housing, and other support. You do not have to leave your home or the person harming you before asking for help.
Start with the state’s domestic violence help page or call the hotline. An advocate may be able to help with a shelter referral, a court accompaniment, child-related concerns, transportation ideas, or a referral to legal aid.
What to say first
“I am in Illinois. I have children. I need help figuring out shelter, court protection, and benefits. I may not be safe receiving calls. What is the safest way to stay in contact?”
Orders of Protection in Illinois
An Illinois Order of Protection is a court order for domestic abuse involving a family or household relationship, spouse, former spouse, dating partner, person you share a child with, or certain other relationships. The Attorney General explains that you can seek one through a domestic violence program, an attorney, divorce case, criminal case, or your local circuit court clerk.
For forms, use the official Illinois Courts packet. If you are in Cook County, the Cook County DV court page explains local help and points survivors back to the Illinois hotline.
| Question | Careful answer | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Do I need a police report? | Not always. Ask a court advocate or legal aid if you are unsure what proof to include. | Illinois Legal Aid Online |
| Can the order cover children? | A judge may be able to address temporary parenting, contact, school, or home issues depending on the facts. | Illinois Courts forms |
| Can firearms be addressed? | Firearm terms can be part of some orders. Ask the advocate or lawyer how to raise this safely. | Illinois Courts forms |
| Can my address stay private? | Ask the clerk or advocate about keeping sensitive contact details confidential in court paperwork. | Illinois Court Help |
If you are not sure which protective order fits, Illinois Legal Aid Online has a protection order guide for domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault situations.
Housing safety: shelter, locks, leases, and vouchers
If you need shelter, the Illinois hotline is usually the fastest starting point. Beds may be limited. Ask whether the advocate can check nearby counties, hotel options, transportation help, or a safe place for children.
If you rent from a private landlord, the Illinois Safe Homes Act may help with lock changes or ending a lease early when domestic or sexual violence creates a safety issue. The Illinois Department of Human Rights has a Safe Homes Act summary that says a landlord may need to change locks within 48 hours after proper notice and documentation.
If you live in public housing, a Housing Choice Voucher unit, project-based Section 8, or certain other federally covered housing, VAWA may protect you from being denied housing, evicted, or punished because of abuse against you. Start with HUD VAWA rights, then ask your housing provider for its emergency transfer process.
For Illinois-specific housing rights, the housing rights guide from Illinois Legal Aid Online explains Safe Homes Act and VAWA issues in plain language. You can also use ASMOM’s housing help guide for broader rental, shelter, and voucher next steps.
Food, cash, health coverage, and bill help
Leaving abuse can mean losing access to money, documents, transportation, and child care. Apply for help as soon as it is safe. If you already applied before leaving, update your household and contact information with the agency when you can do it safely.
| Program | What it may help with | Illinois starting point |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Food benefits on an EBT card. Emergency SNAP may be ready in five days or less for eligible households. | Emergency SNAP |
| TANF | Cash assistance for some families with children or pregnant people. Domestic violence can affect some TANF rules. | family violence exclusion |
| Medicaid | Health coverage for eligible adults, children, and pregnant/postpartum people. | ABE portal |
| CCAP | Child care help while working, in school, or in approved activities. | CCAP page |
| Crime victim compensation | Reimbursement for some crime-related costs, such as medical care, counseling, lost earnings, relocation, and locks. | Attorney General |
The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program can reimburse up to $45,000 for eligible expenses from crimes on or after August 7, 2022, but it is not the same as immediate cash. Keep receipts, police or court documents, medical records, and advocate letters if you can do so safely.
For benefit details by topic, use ASMOM’s SNAP help, TANF help, health care help, and utility help pages.
Work, leave, and keeping income
Illinois workers may have rights when domestic violence affects work. VESSA can allow unpaid leave, depending on employer size, for medical help, legal help, counseling, relocation, safety planning, and related needs. Start with the Illinois Department of Labor VESSA page before you talk to HR.
If you are worried about being fired, losing hours, or explaining court dates, get help first from a domestic violence advocate or legal aid office. You can also read ASMOM’s legal help page for Illinois legal-aid starting points.
Children, school, and child safety
If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. If you suspect child abuse or neglect by a parent, caregiver, or person in a position of trust, the DCFS reporting page lists the 24-hour Illinois Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873.
If abuse affects school pickup, contact, or records, ask your advocate or attorney what paperwork the school should receive. Do not rely on a verbal request if a court order says something different. Keep a copy of current orders in a safe place.
For related needs, ASMOM has Illinois guides for child care help, mental health help, and child support. If sexual assault is part of the situation, ICASA crisis centers can help you find a rape crisis center.
Documents and information to gather, if safe
Do not risk your safety to collect paperwork. If you cannot safely get a document, tell the advocate, caseworker, court clerk, or attorney. Many offices can accept other proof or tell you what to do next.
| Type | Helpful examples | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID, birth certificates, Social Security numbers, immigration documents if used for a program | Benefits, school, housing, and court forms. |
| Children | School records, medical cards, custody orders, daycare details | Enrollment, pickup limits, child care, and benefits. |
| Housing | Lease, voucher papers, rent receipts, landlord contact | Safe Homes Act, VAWA transfer, shelter, or rental help. |
| Income | Pay stubs, benefit letters, bank records, unemployment notices | SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CCAP, and rent help. |
| Abuse records | Police reports, court orders, medical records, photos, messages, advocate letters | Court, housing rights, work leave, or compensation claims. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for perfect proof. Ask an advocate what you can use now.
- Assuming shelter is only local. Ask the hotline to check nearby counties when your area is full.
- Ending a lease by text only. Safe Homes Act steps can be specific. Use legal aid or an advocate.
- Using unsafe devices. Phones, browsers, shared accounts, cars, and apps can leave records.
- Missing benefit interviews. If you applied for SNAP or TANF, watch for calls and letters if it is safe.
If the first place cannot help
If a shelter is full, ask about hotel support, transportation, nearby counties, and another call-back method. If a legal aid office is full, ask the domestic violence program about courthouse advocates, the ICADV Virtual Legal Clinic, or another agency. If a benefits office is slow, ask whether your case can be marked urgent because of homelessness, no food, or domestic violence.
For a broader list of assistance categories, use the Illinois grants guide, ASMOM’s emergency help hub, and the local 211 guide. These pages can help you look beyond one program when you need several supports at the same time.
Phone scripts you can use
Domestic violence hotline
“I am in Illinois and I have children. I need help with safety, shelter, and legal options. It may not be safe to leave messages. What is the safest way to talk?”
Court clerk or court help
“I need to ask for an Order of Protection. Where do I file, and how can I keep my address or phone number private in the court papers?”
Housing provider
“I am a survivor of domestic violence and I need to ask about VAWA protections or an emergency transfer. What form or contact person should I use?”
Benefits office
“I left a domestic violence situation with my children. I need SNAP, cash, medical, and child care help. Can you explain urgent options and what proof I can provide later?”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para ayuda por violencia doméstica en Illinois, llame o mande texto al 877-863-6338. La línea puede ayudar con refugio, seguridad, consejería, ayuda legal y recursos locales.
También puede pedir una orden de protección en la corte, solicitar ayuda de comida por SNAP, ayuda en efectivo por TANF, cobertura médica y ayuda con cuidado infantil. Si no puede conseguir documentos de forma segura, dígalo al trabajador, defensor o abogado.
FAQ
What is the main domestic violence hotline in Illinois?
The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline is 877-863-6338. You can call or text. It is available 24/7 and can connect you with shelter, advocacy, legal referrals, and local domestic violence services.
Do I have to leave my home to get help?
No. Illinois domestic violence services can help you talk through options even if you are not ready or able to leave. An advocate can help you think about safer next steps.
Where do I get Illinois Order of Protection forms?
Use the official Illinois Courts Order of Protection forms or Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Easy Form. A domestic violence advocate or legal aid office may also help you prepare paperwork.
Can domestic violence affect housing rights?
Yes. The Illinois Safe Homes Act may help some renters with lock changes or lease termination. VAWA may help survivors in many federally covered housing programs. Ask an advocate or legal aid before taking action.
Can I get SNAP or TANF after leaving abuse?
You can apply through Illinois ABE. Eligibility depends on your household, income, and other rules. Ask about emergency SNAP if you need food quickly and about domestic violence-related TANF rules if safety affects program requirements.
What if my child is being abused or is in danger?
Call 911 for immediate danger. For suspected child abuse or neglect in Illinois, DCFS lists the 24-hour hotline as 800-25-ABUSE or 800-252-2873.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.