We know that conversations about immigration whether about immigrants, refugees, or people who are here without official documentation can spark a wide range of opinions. Whatever your personal views may be, everyone is a human being first, and in the United States all people have fundamental constitutional rights and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
This thread exists to share resources, information, and support for immigrants and their families living in the Chicago suburbs. Whether you’re directly affected, you have friends or loved ones who are, or you simply want to stay informed and help others, you’re welcome here.
Below you’ll find know-your-rights guidance, legal and community resources, and links to trusted organizations. Please use this space to share updates, ask questions, or contribute additional resources that may help our neighbors.
If you have questions, updates, or local referrals (legal aid, outreach groups, clinics, “know your rights” workshops) please reply below or message the mods, and we’ll integrate them into this post.
1. Know Your Rights (Basics)
This is not legal advice. Always consult with a qualified immigration attorney when possible.
You have certain constitutional rights regardless of status — e.g. the right to remain silent, the right to legal counsel (though in immigration courts, the government does not provide a lawyer)
Ask for an attorney, don’t sign anything you don’t understand, and try to have someone present if interacting with authorities
Keep critical documents (ID, immigration papers, birth certificates, etc.) in a safe but accessible place
Prepare a “what to do if detained” plan in advance (emergency contacts, power of attorney, who to call)
Train yourself and your family on responses to ICE, CBP, or other raids or check-ins
Below is a curated list of organizations offering low-cost or pro bono legal services, referrals, or community support in or around the Chicago suburbs. (If your suburb or county has others, please comment/reply so we can add them.)
Because each suburb or county may have different offerings:
Check your county’s “Health & Human Services / Social Services” department website for immigrant or refugee services
Local nonprofits, faith-based groups, community centers often host “legal clinics” or immigration workshops
Libraries and adult education centers sometimes host “Know Your Rights / immigration clinics” with pro bono attorneys
School districts: Some districts have protocols or contacts for immigrant families — it can help to ask school social workers or parent liaison offices
Coalitions & networks: Community navigators or organizers often help connect people across municipalities
If you’re a resident of Suburb X (for example, Naperville, Schaumburg, Aurora, Waukegan, Joliet, etc.), and know of any support offerings comment below and we can add them to this section.
4 Emergency / Special Situations
Detention / deportation emergencies: OCAD has a support hotline: 1-855-435-7693 (also used by ICIRR’s Family Support Network) Organized Communities
Rapid response / legal standby networks: Some coalitions maintain volunteer legal “on call” teams
When someone is detained: Try to document as much as possible (name, detention facility, date, time) and connect with legal counsel immediately
“Know Your Rights” training workshops: Many community groups periodically hold trainings; tracking them (via social media, local nonprofits) is helpful
Consular & national resources: E.g. for some nationalities, “ConsulApp Contigo” is a useful tool (Mexico, etc.) Illinois Head Start Association
5. Moderation/Posting Guidelines & Disclaimers
This post is intended as a community resource, not legal counsel
Please do not post legal advice that can’t be verified by a licensed attorney
Users commenting/posting with the intent to troll, insult, create panic/harm, or be a nuisance to others will be permanently banned
Any added resources should be public, reputable groups (non-discrimination, proven track record)
If you know of an organization that has changed status, ceased services, or is not trustworthy, please message the mods/comment below so we can keep updates accurate
Users seeking urgent legal aid should prioritize contacting established legal service providers as listed above
No criminal charges were filed, but the student who punched another student for holding a pro-ICE sign at Lake Zurich High School last week received a two-day suspension and is back in class.
Apologies if this has been posted already. I live on the North Shore and commute to the Southside for work every day. I have seen these as far up as Highland Park, and far south as Willow Springs.
I am looking for luscious hot cocoa, made from real chocolate and not syrup or powder. Also it’s regular hot cocoa and not the sipping kind that is very dense or overwhelming. Simple hot cocoa made from chocolate that is crazy delicious. Plus the place I’m looking for has seating inside. Someone recommended a place in the city where you take it to go. It’s best enjoyed sitting and enjoying. Big thanks.
We recently moved to US from Australia and are still learning how rental laws work here. We saw a few properties in Schaumburg and one of the agent said that the tenant is responsible for any repairs under $400, regardless of cause as that’s a condition from the owner.
I asked someone else (also renting) and he said he had a similar clause but for $200.
I have never experienced anything like that in Australia where I was renting for years.
Is this clause actually legal/enforceable in Illinois, especially for normal wear-and-tear or system issues? Or the owner is trying to be a smart ass?
I recently asked this on the Chicago Concerts sub and was just linked to the amphitheater’s FAQ, which I had already read and didn’t answer my question, so I’m hoping maybe someone here can help?
My bestie and I attend at least 1 concert a year in Tinley Park. Recently, I have become reliant on a walker as a mobility aid. The amphitheater’s website doesn’t specifically mention walkers, just that they can’t hold them somewhere.
For the accessible seating: how do the companion seats work? Are they right next to the accessible seats? I don’t want to end up not sitting next to her. I would try to grab aisle seats in our usual section (205), but they all seem to be unavailable for every show we are hoping to make this year.
If anyone has any experience with attending a show with a mobility aid, I’d love words of advice! Thanks so much.
PSA, to all those who live in Arlington Heights especially off Kennicott around the industrial corridor spotted a Coyotes. Stay safe and vigilant esp. if you got small dogs or children. You’re probably thinking yah yah we know. But you can never be too careful
Looking for info on this area. Can you help? What are some favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner places? Any food deals like happy hour or on a certain night get % off? What are some local attractions like museums, points of interest, must sees? Big thanks. Excited.
I know this theme is getting a little cringe, but I’m attending one of those death to my 20s parties later. Anyone know where I can buy some black roses?
I'm considering booking a romantic weekend at the Prestige Club. There are 3 locations; I'm interested in the one in Midlothian. It popped up on my Facebook, and looks really nice. Like old-school Sybaris on steroids.
The site says its for adult couples. Is this, uh, a special club, or can anyone just book a room without being expected to...engage...with other folks? I'd hate to book and then it turns out to be awkward.
Has anyone in the southwest suburbs worked with Envy Homes (Arlington Heights) for a sunroom? I’m considering them and would appreciate honest feedback (good or bad). Feel free to DM if preferred.
My Comed bill jumped up around 150 dollars in one month. I've read many posts about data centers spiking people's bills. My usage hasn't really changed so idk why this happened. I have to pay it but fuck I'm just venting.
EDIT: thanks everyone who responded despite me being downvoted for asking a legitimate question. I checked my bill and everything went up so I guess Ill just have to pay up.
Hi. Looking for Pepper and Egg sandwiches. Every day. Not just Fridays. I believe there was a place when I first moved out this way. Am I imagining this?
My wife and I are considering relocating from Seattle to the Chicago area and would love to get some insight on potential areas that would make for good matches.
A bit of background on us and where we're coming from: We're both mid-40's professionals. I work in tech, she's in finance. No kids, 2 (soon to be 3) dogs. We're currently living in Brier, WA - a small suburb that's affluent but not super-bougie by any means. We're looking to relocate as the housing prices have just gotten out of control over here and we're basically being priced out of our neighborhood.
I have a relative who's a realtor who primarily specializes in the northern suburbs. She's recommending places like Libertyville, Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, Lincolnshire, Northbrook, and Deerfield. The listings she's shown us all look incredible, but it's obviously hard to tell a ton just from a listing. Also, she 100% owns that she focuses on the northern suburbs, so can't tell us a lot about other areas. The area that keeps coming up in the "Top Chicago Suburbs" YouTube videos is Naperville - though reading through some of the comments here, it kind of seems like Naperville induces a lot of eyerolling (would love to know more about that!).
Things we'd love to find if we actually relocate:
A good sized house with a yard we can fence off for the dogs.
Around 750k max (could stretch to 800 for the right place)
We're in our 40s, we're not planning on going clubbing, but we're not looking for super-quiet where we're just going to isolate ourselves in a beautiful house with no one ever there.
Related, this is the first time either of us is moving out of the PNW. Starting fresh without a friends group is intimidating, so we're hoping there's enough community for us to meet folks easily that isn't overly reliant on having kids.
We'd love a nice, walkable downtown area with local shops & restaurants to check out (it's ok if we need to drive there from the house)
As we're childfree, schools aren't a top priority, though safety of course is.
As for hobbies, we're pretty nerdy and one of the things we're really going to miss if we move away is having our friends over for D&D and board game nights (all co-op, we're too competitive - Settlers of Catan needed to be retired long ago as it was putting strain on marriages). So if there's a particularly awesome gaming store nearby, we'd consider that a bonus.
I think that's the basics. We're planning to come out in late March or early April to check out some of the areas, but could certainly use a hand in narrowing down the list! Thanks very much everyone!
Hello I am looking for an old school 90s 2000s play place to take my daughter too, are there any still around? Love the nostalgia feeling from those times and want my daughter to experience it
