Web Links
Websites of local interest, chosen by the Grande Prairie Public Library staff.
- Housing Assistance
- Energy Assistance
- Food Pantries
- Grants and Financial Aid
- Social Services
- Emergency Information
- Consumer Information
- Legal Information
- Jobs and Education
- Genealogy and Local History
- Taxes
- Hospitals and Health Care
- Federal Government
- State Government
- County Government
- Local Government
- Local Schools
- Local Colleges
- Local Churches
- Newspapers
- Transportation
- Elections
Housing Assistance
Hope Now - Free foreclosure prevention assistance.
Illinois Housing Development Authority - Assistance information for homeowners, renters, landlords and senior citizens.
Housing Authority of Cook County - Rental assistance for low-income housing in Cook County. Check here to find out about Section 8 Waiting List applications.
Housing Choice Voucher Program - Low income rental assistance (Section 8).
Chicago Housing Authority - Public housing assistance for the City of Chicago.
South Suburban PADS - South Suburban shelters and services for the homeless.
MRSH - Suburban Cook County services for the homeless.
National Fair Housing Alliance - National association with local affiliates dedicated to ending housing discrimination.
Mortgageloan.com - An independent website providing information on Green/Energy Efficient Mortgages, with a free and anonymous mortgage loan and rate calculator.
Energy Assistance
LIHEAP - Illinois Low Income Energy Assistance Program.
IHWAP - Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program.
Nicor Gas - Links to programs with assistance for gas bills.
Peoples Energy - More links to programs with assistance for gas bills.
Exelon (Com Ed) - Assistance programs for electric bills.
Keep Warm Illinois - Home energy information from the Governor's office.
Food Pantries
Thornton Township Food Assistance Program - Located in Harvey
Greater Chicago Food Depository - Search over 600 Chicago area food pantries.
Catholic Charities Nutrition Services - Food services for Cook County.
CEDA - Community Economic Development Association of Cook County.
Grants and Financial Aid
Grants.gov
- A central storehouse of information on over 1000 federal grant programs.
GovBenefits.gov - Information on agencies providing assistance programs such as Social Security/Supplemental Security, Medicaid and State Social Services.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance - Search the database of all Federal assistance programs
Small Business Administration Financial Assistance- Find programs offering financial assistance to small businesses.
Student Aid on the Web- A guide to federal student aid programs.
Social Services
Learning Ally - Accessible Audiobooks for students with visual impairment, dyslexia, or learning disabilities. Formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.
Voices of Vision Talking Book Center - Services for people with visual or reading disabilities.
Chicago Lighthouse - Programs and services for the blind and visually impaired.
South Suburban Family Shelter - Programs and services for families suffering from domestic violence.
Metropolitan Family Services - Metropolitan is a source for counseling, parenting programs, after-school programs, legal assistance, respite care, or mental health services.
Aunt Martha's Youth Service and Health Center - Offers a variety of programs and services for children, teens and families in Illinois. Services include child welfare, community based healthcare, juvenile justice and prevention services.
South_Southwest Suburban United Way - Sponsors a variety of health and human services agencies in the Southland.
Family Guidance Centers - A not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization that treats and prevents substance abuse. Download their latest Resource Guide.
Illinois Identification Cards - Illinois-issued identity cards for non-drivers including seniors, disabled persons and the homeless.
Social Service Connector - From the Cook County Sheriff, a directory of social service organizations that may be useful when facing an eviction.
Emergency Information
Emergency Closing Center - Find out if your school, library or daycare center is closed due to weather or other emergencies.
IDOT Winter Road Conditions - Find current winter road conditions across the state.
Consumer Information
Fuel Economy Guide
- Find gas mileage and emissions ratings for new and used cars
Institute for Consumer Credit Education - Assists low-to-moderate income consumers with issues such as housing, bankruptcy and foreclosure
Gazelle - Sell or recycle your used electronic gadgets
Cash4Books - Sell your used books and textbooks
Valore Books - Buy/Sell your used and new college textbooks
Chegg.com - Low-priced (not free) college textbook rentals
Bookrenter.com - Another resource for semester-long textbook rentals
Recycle Place - Sell your used toner and ink cartridges
Charity Navigator - A resource for charitable giving
Annual Credit Report - AnnualCreditReport.com is the ONLY authorized, secure source to get your free annual credit report under federal law.
Legal Information
Free Court Dockets - Free access to over 33 million court case dockets
Find Legal Help - Get help finding a lawyer, seeking free legal services, or researching your legal problem on your own
Illinois Legal Aid - This extensive website features a variety of resources to assist patrons in answering legal questions. Se habla español.
Illinois Pro Bono - Training and practice support for volunteer attorneys. NOTE: This website is intended for use by attorneys; it is NOT intended as a resource for finding volunteer attorneys.
Illinois Legal Advocate - Those who assist others in navigating legal resources will find training and practice support here.
Gale Legal Forms: Find personal and business related legal forms to download.
Handbook on Workers' Compensation and Occupational Diseases - a general guide to the rights and obligations of employees who have experienced work-related injuries or diseases, as well as the rights and obligations of their employers, under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Diseases Acts.
Jobs and Education
Job Search Resources - Resources on the internet and in the library to help you with your job search
GED Testing Program for Cook County - Find test sites and dates for the GED
i-Pathways - Find GED and adult education resources
Khan Academy - Free videos on math, science, and business topics for students
Academic Earth - Pursue a world-class education for free. Download and view lectures and courses from some of the best universities in the country.
CriminalJusticePrograms.com - For those interested in a career in Criminal Justice, this website is a comprehensive resource for information on occupational outlook and educational opportunities nationwide.
Genealogy and Local History
South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society - Serving South Cook County and east Will County, including Chicago's Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods
Homewood Historical Society - Serving neighboring Homewood
Historic Pullman Foundation - Serving the Pullman Historic District in South Chicago
Illinois State Historical Society - Fosters awareness, understanding, research and preservation of Illinois history
Illinois State Genealogical Society - Research ancestors with an Illinois connection. Includes the Cemetery Location Project
Illinois State Archives - Historical depository of public records from Illinois state and local government agencies
National Archives - Historical depository of public records from the United States Federal government
Latter Day Saints Family History Records - You will find local Family History Centers located in Chicago Heights and Orland Park
Newberry Library Genealogy - Extensive genealogy collections. Includes Chicago Ancestors which shows history based on map locations
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society - A national organization located in Washington D.C.
Illinois African American Genealogy - Links to relevant records and databases
Afrigeneas - A resource for African ancestored genealogy
Taxes
IRS Tax Forms
- Download your federal tax forms
Illinois State Tax Forms- Download Illinois state tax forms
Free Tax Help- Find Center for Economic Progress Tax Sites for low-income families and individuals
IRS Offices - Find your nearest IRS office for tax assistance
IRS Free File - Find out if you qualify for free federal tax filing online
IL-1040 Web File - Find out if you qualify for free Illinois tax filing online
Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board - Check the status of your appeal
Indiana Department of Revenue - Download Indiana state tax forms
Hospitals and Health Care
Illinois Hospital Report Card - Consumer ratings for health care choices in Illinois.
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Ingalls Health System - Information on Ingalls Memorial Hospital and other South Suburban health centers.
All Kids Healthcare for Kids - Illinois program covering immunizations, lead screenings, hearing and vision screenings, and more.
Cook County Immunization Program
Immunization Clinics - List of free and low-cost options for school immunizations.
Federal Government
USA.gov
- The Federal Government's web portal to a vast array of information and services.
WhiteHouse.gov - Information and programs from the Administration of 44th President Barack Obama.
State Government
Illinois Blue Book - The official State of Illinois manual
Illinois Secretary of State - Find services for motorists, small businesses, seniors and persons with disabilities
Illinois Department of Revenue
Find Your Districts and Elected Officials
Illinois Cash Dash - Search for unclaimed property
Illinois Benefits - Sign up for Illinois Cares RX
Find-It! Illinois - Services from the Illinois State Library
University of Illinois Extension - Includes information on Horticulture, Parenting & Seniors, Nutrition, Schools, 4-H, Environmental Stewardship and more
Recovery Illinois - Get information on state use of federal stimulus funds and projects associated with stimulus investment
County Government
Cook County Department of Public Health
Local Government
Hazel Crest Chamber of Commerce
Country Club Hills Chamber of Commerce
Local Schools
District 144 - Prairie Hills Elementary School District.
District 152 1/2 - Hazel Crest School District.
District 160 - Country Club Hills School District.
District 228 - Bremen High School District.
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Local Colleges
Illinois Virtual Campus - Distance education through Illinois colleges and universities.
Illinois Harvest, University of Illinois - Collection of digital resources about Illinois, including maps, books, photographs, posters, and manuscripts.
Local Churches
St. John's Lutheran Church and School - Country Club Hills
St. Emeric Catholic Church - Country Club Hills
Full Gospel Christian Assembly - Hazel Crest
All Nations Community Church - Hazel Crest
St. Anne Catholic Church - Hazel Crest
Newspapers
Transportation
Pace Buses - Serving suburban Chicago
Metra - Chicago suburban commuter railway
Chicago Airports - Flight information for Midway and O'Hare
Illinois Tollways - Tollway information including IPASS
South Shore Line Passenger Service - Commuter trains from Northwest Indiana
Megabus - Inexpensive bus transportation from Chicago's Union Station
Amtrak - Long distance train service, with a station in Homewood
Elections
Cook County Clerk Election Site - Register to vote, find your polling place and sample ballots
Vote for Judges - Nonpartisan information about Cook County judicial elections
Illinois State Bar Association - Judicial evaluations
League of Women Voters of Illinois
League of Women Voters of Cook County
Illinois State Board of Elections District/Official Search - Find contact information for your elected officials


