Domestic Violence Safety and Housing

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. If someone is hurting you, scaring you or controlling you, please hear this: it is not your fault, and you deserve to be safe. There are people in Illinois ready to help, any time, day or night.

Here is the easy first step: call or text the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877.863.6338. It's at no cost, private and multilingual, open 24 hours a day, and they can help you find a local program near you.

A few things to know

• You choose. You are the expert on your own safety. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Be careful with your phone and computer. If someone checks your devices, use a phone or computer they can't see, like at a library or a friend's house.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Who can I call right now?

You can call even if you're not sure it's "bad enough." Advocates listen, help you think through your choices, and never judge.

• Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline: call or text 877.863.6338 (TTY 877.863.6339). IDHS says it's , multilingual and confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• IDHS says services are at no cost and private, and you do not have to leave the abuser or your home to get help.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: call 800.799.7233, text START to 88788, or chat at thehotline.org.
• Your county's 24 hour line is in the county list later in this guide.

Sources: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30275 and https://www.thehotline.org/

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A quick exit

Many hotline websites have a quick exit button that takes you off the page fast. On a shared device, you can also use a private or incognito window. Little things like that can help you stay safe.

How do I know if it's abuse?

Abuse isn't only hitting. The National Domestic Violence Hotline says abuse is about power and control, and that even one or two of these behaviors is a red flag:

• Telling you that you never do anything right.
• Extreme jealousy, or keeping you away from friends and family.
• Insulting or shaming you, especially in front of others.
• Stopping you from making your own choices, like working or going to school.
• Taking your money or refusing money for things you need.
• Pressuring you into sex, drugs or alcohol.
• Threatening looks or actions, or threats to hurt or take your kids or pets.
• Scaring you with weapons, or destroying your things or your home.

If any of this sounds familiar, you can call an advocate just to talk. No one deserves abuse of any kind, for any reason.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/domestic-abuse-warning-signs/

How do I make a safety plan?

A safety plan is a simple, personal plan for staying safer, whether you stay, are thinking about leaving, or have already left. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers no cost help making one with a live advocate.

You don't have to have it all figured out to reach out. One call is enough for today, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Where can I stay if I need to leave?

Illinois has domestic violence programs throughout the state. IDHS says they offer a 24 hour hotline, counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, children's services, and temporary food and housing.

Some also help with emergency medical care, transportation, jobs and child care.

• Find your nearest program with the IDHS Office Locator. Choose "Domestic Violence Victim Services" and your county. The list shows each center's local hotline.
• Shelter locations are kept private for safety. Call the program's 24 hour line to get in.
• If a program is full, ask them to help you find another safe place, or call the Illinois hotline at 877.863.6338.
• The county list later in this guide has hotlines near you.

Sources: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30275 and https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12&officetype=17

How do I get an order of protection in Illinois?

In Illinois, a court order to keep an abuser away is called an Order of Protection. As of October 17, 2026, here's what Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) says:

• There is no fee to file a petition for an Order of Protection.
• You can file in the county where you live, where the abuser lives, where the abuse happened, or where you're staying to avoid abuse. If more than one fits, you can choose the safest and easiest one.
• There are different kinds of orders, like Emergency, Interim and Plenary orders. A judge can grant an Emergency Order without the abuser being told or being there.
• Questions about how long each order lasts? Check the official page below.
• ILAO has a no cost Easy Form program to make your court forms. In some counties, you can make and e file them online.
• If the person breaks the order after they've been notified, call the police.

This is general information, not legal advice. For help with your situation, talk with an advocate or a lawyer. See Guide 13 for no cost legal help.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/getting-domestic-violence-order-protection

Can I keep my new address private?

Illinois has an Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), run by the Illinois Attorney General. It gives you a substitute address to use instead of your home, school or work address with state and local government agencies.

• Adults who have good reason to believe they are a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking, and fear for their safety, can apply. A parent can apply for a child.
• You don't need a police report or protective order, and you don't have to have reported the violence to the police.
• It's at no cost, and you can leave the program any time. You can put the substitute address on your driver's license or state ID.
• The ACP works best if you move to a new address the abuser doesn't know. It can't remove addresses already in public records, and it can't help with moving or housing.
• Call 1.844.916.0295 or apply online. The Attorney General encourages you to work with an advocate on a safety plan too.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/safer-communities/supporting-victims-of-crime/address-confidentiality-program/

What housing help is there if I'm a survivor?

ILAO says survivors who rent may be able to end their lease early so they can leave and stay safe, even if the lease is only spoken, not written. In some cases, survivors can ask for an emergency lock change to keep the abuser out.

• Give your landlord written notice, and keep a copy. Check the timing on the official page below.
• Survivors of sexual violence may be able to end their lease too. You may need proof, like a police, medical or court record, or a statement from an advocate.
• This can cover private rentals and subsidized housing, like Housing Choice Vouchers. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/housing-protections-survivors-domestic-violence-dating-violence-stalking-and

If you live in HUD assisted housing, like public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher, HUD has extra protections for survivors through VAWA. HUD says:

• Survivors shouldn't lose their home or help because of abuse committed against them.
• Survivors shouldn't be turned away because of things the abuse caused, like an eviction record or bad credit.
• Can ask the housing provider for an emergency transfer for safety reasons.
• Survivors can ask that information about the abuse be kept confidential. Questions about the details? Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.hud.gov/vawa

Can I get help paying for costs from a violent crime?

The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program, run by the Attorney General, may pay you back for costs from a violent crime, up to $45,000 ($27,000 for crimes before August 7, 2022). It can cover things like:

• Medical, hospital and dental bills, and mental health counseling.
• Lost earnings, relocation costs and replacement costs.
• Crime scene cleanup, funeral and burial costs, and tuition.

The Attorney General's office encourages all victims of violent crime to apply. Call the Crime Victims Assistance Line at 800.228.3368 (711 relay) to learn more.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/safer-communities/supporting-victims-of-crime/crime-victim-compensation/

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Kids and pets, too

When you call a center, tell them about your kids and pets. Ask what support they have for children, and if they can help with a safe place for your pet. You're doing so great by asking.

Sources: https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/getting-domestic-violence-order-protection and https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30275 and https://www.hud.gov/vawa

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You are not alone

Reaching out takes so much strength. Whatever you decide, you deserve to be safe, and there are people ready to help. I'm so glad you're here.

Who can I call in my county?

Here are domestic violence programs with 24 hour hotlines near you. Shelter addresses are kept private, so call to get help.

If your county isn't listed, call 877.863.6338.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Illinois

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Chicago

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Suburban Cook County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

DuPage County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lake County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Will County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Kane County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

McHenry County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Winnebago County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Madison County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

St. Clair County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Champaign County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Sangamon County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Peoria County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Neighborhood and other counties

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My safety plan

Fill this in only if it's safe to keep. You can also just memorize it. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. You deserve to be safe and happy. Take care, friend.

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Every source was checked on October 17, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 17, 2026