Since the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian is essentially a law office and does not provide social services, the agencies listed below have been useful in providing assistance to the elderly or disabled. It might also be helpful to contact these agencies while the Office of the Public Guardian is investigating guardianship to ensure the safety and well being of the alleged disabled person. 

In the City of Chicago: 311 is Chicago's non-emergency hotline. The hotline responds rather quickly to requests for well-being checks of the elderly or disabled. They can be contacted when a person has inadequate housing, heating, cooling or non-emergency health care needs. If needed, the operator will direct the caller to the local police district. In the event of an emergency please call 911.

In the Suburbs surrounding Chicago in Cook County: Contact the local Police Department where the elderly or disabled person lives. They will conduct well-being checks or refer you to the proper local service agency. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

Elder Abuse Hotline investigates calls regarding abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of individuals older than 60 years of age: Call 1-866-800-1409 M-F (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) or 1-866-800-1409 evenings, weekends and holidays.

Office of the Inspector General at the Department of Human Services investigates abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of an adult with disabilities aged 18 to 60: Call 1-800-368-1463.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office investigates financial exploitation of the elderly whether they are competent or not. (312) 603-8600.

The Office of the State Guardian is appointed guardian in appropriate cases for individuals whose assets are $25,000 or less. Their intake department number to refer a case statewide (in any county) is (708) 338-7500. 

The Cook County Public Administrator's Office becomes involved to protect and secure estates of deceased individuals who die intestate (without a will) or where there is no person in Illinois with the right to administer the estate. The Office of the Public Guardian cannot petition the court to become guardian after an individual dies, nor can any individual for that matter. The appointment of a guardian ceases after a person dies. They can be reached at (312) 603-0100.

The Center for Disability and Elder Law assists low-income families with uncontested guardianship cases. They can be reached at (312) 908-4463.

The Chicago Bar Association provides a list of attorneys who specialize in Probate and Adult Guardianship cases. They can be reached at (312) 554-2000.

The Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago provides legal representation for low income persons with various legal issues including but not limited to mortgage foreclosures and tax deed cases. They can be reached at (312) 341-1070.

The Clerk of Circuit Court Cook County Probate Division assists individuals in filing the forms for adult guardianship in Cook County. For inquiries on fees, hours and Probate forms, please call (312) 603-6457.

The Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud Division investigates and litigates consumer fraud matters.  They can be reached at (800) 386-5438; their Spanish speaking number is (866) 310-8398; and their elder fraud division can be reached at (800) 243-5377.

Loyola University School of Law, Elder Law Clinic provides services in the community, education, public policy/legislative action and direct services. They can be reached at (312) 915-6775.

The City of Chicago Senior Services supports the elderly to live independently in their own communities and homes for as long as possible, ensures those who reside in institutions are treated with dignity and care, and ensures that the elderly have access to full and accurate information to participate in public policy: Call (312) 744-4016