Solutions and Resources · Chicago / Cook County
You deserve safety. Start with the help you need right now.
24/7 · Illinois
Call or text the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, 24/7. Free and confidential, with language assistance in over 240 languages. Ask about safety planning, emergency shelter referrals and legal advocacy. Placement depends on availability.
01 / Get protection
In Illinois, an Order of Protection addresses abuse involving a qualifying family, household or dating relationship. Stalking No Contact Orders and sexual-assault Civil No Contact Orders are other options. An advocate can help you understand which process fits.
For Chicago: file at 555 W. Harrison Street. Cook County lists weekday e-filing before 3 p.m. or in-person filing before 4:30 p.m., excluding court holidays. Suburban residents should check their district courthouse. A hearing with a judge is required; forms alone do not create an order.
Cook County filing instructions ↗
Prepare protection-order forms ↗
The statewide ILAO Easy Form prepares documents; it does not e-file them. The interview and forms are in English.
Cook County lists remote emergency hearings Monday–Friday, 9 p.m.–3 a.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 1–6 p.m., Chicago time. National and court holidays are excluded. Confirm availability with the hotline and court.
Cook County after-hours request tool ↗
Official court hours ↗
Court holiday calendar ↗
Daytime and after-hours services are closed Monday, October 12. Regular hours resume Tuesday, October 13 at 8:30 a.m. The hotline remains available 24/7.
02 / Find shelter
Tell the hotline advocate you need emergency housing and mention any children, access needs or language needs. The hotline connects survivors to housing and support options; a referral does not guarantee a bed.
Call 877-863-633803 / Prepare for court
Write down what happened, approximate dates, threats, injuries and witnesses. Ask an advocate about safely preserving messages or photos and protecting your location on court papers. Do not delay immediate safety to gather documents.
04 / Find legal help
Ascend Justice assists survivors seeking protection orders at the Domestic Violence Courthouse, 555 W. Harrison Street, Suite 1900. Intake availability varies.
If someone may monitor this device, consider a safer device. Calls, texts and website visits may leave records. Quick Exit cannot remove those records.
Call SnR to discuss support and appropriate referrals. SnR does not issue court orders, operate this hotline or guarantee shelter, legal representation or a court result.
Talk with SnR · 872.702.1313