Energy
Food
Health & Medicine
Housing
Investments & Pensions
Job Search
Job Training
Legal
Money
Transportation
Multiple forms of assistance
ENERGY
Energy Audit
A do-it-yourself audit of ways to save on energy use. Created by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Energy Audit, Part II
The U.S. Department of Energy’s version of a DIY audit.
Energy Tax Credits
Take advantage of the current tax incentives to upgrade your home or vehicle to save energy
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is designed to help eligible low-income households pay for winter energy services.
Save on Energy
The Federal Trade Commission’s tips on saving energy in every room of your house
FOOD
Eat Right When Money’s Tight
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recommended resources for eating well on a reduced budget
Fishing
Check out the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Illinois Fishing Information, apply for a license, look for a fishing site in the Batavia Park District, and search for ‘fish’ in the City of Batavia Ordinances to make sure you’re not fishing too close to a dam.
Food Stamps
Information on eligibility for food stamps and a link for online application
Food Pantries
A list of food pantries in the area with locations, times, and phone numbers
Gardening
Check out books on vegetable gardening and gardening in small spaces.
HEALTH & MEDICINE
AllKids: Health Insurance for Children
State sponsored insurance for uninsured children at rates below private insurance
Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center and Healthcare Network
Provides a full range of primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services. Three locations in Aurora
COBRA
If you do not qualify for insurance through your spouse/partner's employer or for Medicaid, you may qualify for a reduction of 65% of the cost of COBRA for up to nine months through a new government program.
Health & Wellness
Search for a State of Illinois program that might help you
Illinois Cares Rx
State assistance with drug costs for seniors and those with disabilities
Illinois Department of Human Resources
Provides a variety of services for people in need
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Provides services to veterans and their family members, including employment, education, and housing benefits
Medicaid
This page explains how to apply for Medicaid in Illinois and how it works.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Prescription medicine assistance
Tri-City Health Partnership Free Medical Clinic
Provides quality healthcare in an environment of mutual respect to those members of the community who are without medical benefits. Located in St. Charles
Visiting Nurse Association Health Care
A humanitarian, not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate, dependable and comprehensive primary care and community health services. VNA extends quality care to individuals regardless of their ability to pay for service.
HOUSING
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Foreclosure Resource Center
Links to assistance in Illinois—click on the IL tab under Resources.
Fix it yourself
Check out books on Plumbing, Wiring, Painting, Drywalling, and home repair.
Homeless Shelters:
Hesed House
((630) 897-2165; 659 S River St, Aurora IL 60506)
Lazarus House
((630) 587-2144; 214 Walnut St, St. Charles IL 60174)
PADS—Elgin ((847) 608-9744; 64 Division St, Suite 503 Elgin IL 60120) This office provides information on shelter available in area churches and an ID card for applicants (required for admission).
HUD
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s page of information and links to assistance
Illinois Treasurer Info Sheet
From buying a home to preventing foreclosure, this web page has information and links to possible help.
Mortgages
Check out books on mortgages or preventing foreclosure.
Making Home Affordable
The federal government’s program for assisting homeowners who are in danger of foreclosure
INVESTMENTS & PENSIONS
Protect Your Pension
The U.S. Department of Labor’s page about what to do about your pension and health insurance if you lose your job
Weathering Tough Financial Times
From the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA); a guide to managing your investments under difficult circumstances
JOB SEARCH
Chicago Job Talk
ChicagoJobs offers easy access to a comprehensive listing of regional resources, as well as networking opportunities, and feedback from area experts.
Illinois workNet Centers
Through a partnership of workforce development organizations, the Illinois workNet Centers in North Aurora, Elgin, & DeKalb (formerly Illinois Employment and Training Center) each offer a single convenient connection point for job seekers and employers to find each other and tap into a pool of education, training and employment opportunities.
Illinois Skills Match
ISM is a component of the Illinois Employment Service where thousands of Illinois-area employers already list their jobs and seek qualified workers. ISM maintains the fastest growing pool of an extensive variety of jobs at every skill level in hundreds of industries and occupations in Illinois. ISM allows you to identify your skills and then automatically matches you to the most suitable employers based on the requirements which you specify. You then have direct access to a list of those jobs for which you qualify.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
File for unemployment benefits, search for further help if your unemployment runs out, and find information about current workforce needs and news.
ReferenceUSA
Click on the ReferenceUSA link to go to a database that will allow you to search for businesses by type and location (must have a Batavia Public Library card).
StudentJobs
Jobs for high school and college students with the federal government
Tri-City Unemployment Group
The TUG (Tri-City Unemployment Group) provides career management services, job-seeking skills, education, and training in an environment that encourages and facilitates networking, mutual support, and maintaining a positive attitude, with the ultimate goal of meaningful employment.
USAJOBS
Search for jobs with the federal government.
Working in Illinois
An Illinois government page of links to state information for workers and job seekers
JOB TRAINING
Waubonsee Community College
Along with credit classes for those working towards a degree, WCC offers Adult Education, which offers basic education, Adult Education Special Programs, which includes classes in computers, supervision, licensing and certification, construction, manufacturing, and warehousing, as well as small business assistance. They also offer Career Services for jobseekers, and the Aurora Community Technology Center , which offers free computer classes and computer use.
Batavia Public Library
The Library offers beginning computer classes in Microsoft Office programs and navigating the Internet. It also provides free computer use for Batavia Public Library cardholders, and free Wi-Fi for all library visitors.
Kane County Department of Employment and Education
Offers services to eligible job seekers, adults and teens, based on individual plans
Job Corps
Job Corps is a free federal education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a job. For eligible youth at least 16 years of age, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.
LEGAL
Prairie State Legal Services
Prairie State Legal Services offers free legal services for low income persons and those over age 60 who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them.
MONEY
Bankruptcy
Check out books on bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy
Information on filing Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 Bankruptcy without an attorney from the United States Bankruptcy Court for Northern Illinois
Credit Cards
The Federal Reserve Board regulates credit cards. Its web site explains how to understand offers and statements you receive, and links to other information about credit cards.
Credit Cards
The State of Illinois page of information regarding credit cards
Credit Repair
The Federal Trade Commission guide to repairing your own credit, with a link to government-approved credit counselors
Credit Reports
This Federal Trade Commission page explains how to get the free credit reports which are yours by law.
FDIC
The FDIC is the government agency that insures bank deposits. On this page, you can check to be sure than your account is covered. You can also read what happens when a bank fails.
Federal Reserve Consumer Help
If you have a problem with a bank or other financial institution, contact the Federal Reserve for help.
Illinois Department of Employment Security
File for unemployment benefits, search for further help if your unemployment runs out, and find information about current workforce needs and news.
Make Money on the Net
Check out books on starting a business on the Internet and selling on eBay.
Save Money
Check out books on saving money in the home.
SCORE
Information and advice on starting a small business from SCORE, a partner of the Small Business Administration.
Thrifty Living
Fact sheets from the University of Illinois Extension Service on how to make your money go further
TRANSPORTATION
Fuel Economy
Buying a new vehicle? This U.S. Department of Energy page allows you to compare cars for fuel efficiency, gas emissions, pollutants, and more.
Gas Saving Tips
This Federal Trade Commission page gives suggestions on how to reduce your gas consumption.
Metra
Take the train
Pace
Or the bus
MULTIPLE FORMS OF ASSISTANCE
GovBenefits.Gov
Search for federal government benefit and assistance programs.
Human Capital Development Services
The Division of Human Capital Development helps Illinois residents by connecting them with many programs and services. Well known for helping people with cash, medical, food stamps, and childcare, staff also will help you find services from other DHS divisions, other state agencies, and from your local community.
Illinois Department of Human Resources
Provides a variety of services.
Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Provides services to veterans and their family members, including employment, education, and housing benefits