Who do I call first for disability services in Cook County, Illinois?

Start with early intervention (children under 3), your school district's special education office (ages 3–21), and Illinois vocational rehabilitation for employment. This guide points to the right front door for Cook County.

Is help available in Spanish in Cook County?

Yes. This Cook County guide includes Spanish-language support, and most Illinois agencies provide interpretation on request.

What should I do in a disability-related crisis in Cook County?

For an immediate emergency call 911. For mental health crisis support call or text 988 (the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. This page also lists local crisis resources where available.

Disability Services in Cook County, Illinois

A free, plain-language guide to disability services in Cook County, Illinois. Find who to call first for early intervention, special education, Medicaid waivers, transition planning, employment supports, and crisis help — with Spanish-language support. Always call to confirm details, which can change.

Services covered in Cook County

Early intervention (under 3) and special education / IEPs (ages 3–21)
Medicaid waivers and home- and community-based services
Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment
Transition planning, guardianship, and benefits
Crisis support — 911 for emergencies, 988 for mental health crisis

Key contacts in Cook County

Cook County, your local ISC agency (via Illinois DDD) — Your front door for developmental-disability services in Cook County is your regional Independent Service Coordination (ISC) agency. Contact: 1-888-337-5267 (1-888-DD-PLANS) · TTY 1-866-376-8446 · enter your ZIP for your ISC.
Access Living, Center for Independent Living — Chicago/Cook County's Center for Independent Living: peer support, independent-living skills, housing and benefits advocacy, personal-assistant services, and y… Contact: 312-640-2100 · 800-613-8549 · accessliving.org.
NAMI Chicago Helpline — Free helpline for mental-health support, navigation, and referrals across Chicago and Cook County, call or text 833-626-4244. Contact: 833-626-4244 · namichicago.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Cook County (24/7) — Free, confidential 24/7 mental-health, substance-use, and suicide crisis support for Cook County residents through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the Il… Contact: 988 · CARES 1-800-345-9049 · text TALK to 552020 · 24/7.
2-1-1 Illinois — Free, confidential information and referral to health and human services across Illinois, Early Intervention, your ISC, Medicaid, aging services, and more. Contact: Dial 2-1-1 · 211illinois.org.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Free, confidential crisis support 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises. Contact: 988.
Illinois DDD Hotline, Find your ISC & enroll in PUNS — Statewide hotline. Contact: 1-888-337-5267 (1-888-DD-PLANS) · TTY 1-866-376-8446.
Illinois Early Intervention (Child & Family Connections) — Statewide early-intervention program for babies and toddlers (birth–3) with delays or disabilities, through regional Child & Family Connections offices. Contact: 1-800-843-6154.
Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) — Helps people with disabilities prepare for, get, and keep a job: counseling, training, assistive technology, job placement, and transition services for student… Contact: 877-581-3690 · TTY 866-324-5553.
Equip for Equality — Illinois's federally designated protection and advocacy agency. Contact: 800-537-2632 · TTY 800-610-2779 · equipforequality.org.

These listings are a navigation aid, not endorsements — always call first to confirm current details. The full interactive Cook County directory on this page lists 10 local and statewide resources with filters by category, age, and payer, plus registry-listed providers nearby.

See more Illinois disability resources or browse other counties from the Illinois portal.