Money & Debt resources

Banking and financial wellness

What happens if I don't pay my property taxes?

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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Can I open a bank account if I am an immigrant?

Learn about how you can open a bank account as an immigrant.

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Dealing with hospital bills

Learn what a hospital can do to collect a bill and the rights you have as a patient.

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Can't I cancel a contract within 3 days?

Describes how a contract may or may not be canceled depending on the type of contract, like door-to-door sales or loans.

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Credit reports and background checks

Understanding credit reports and scores

Explains what credit reports contain, how credit scores are calculated, and how to correct and improve them.

Guide

Can they check my credit report when I apply for a job?

Covers federal and Illinois law about what employers can and cannot do when you apply for a job.

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Disputing inaccurate information on your credit report or background check

Learn how to dispute inaccurate information on your credit report or background check with the credit bureaus and what your rights are.

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Income taxes

Paying taxes as an undocumented immigrant

Understand why you need to pay income tax if you are an undocumented immigrant.

Guide

Filing income taxes as an undocumented immigrant

Understand how to get an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number and file taxes as an undocumented immigrant.

How-To

Filing taxes as a student

Students have special tax situations and benefits. Your taxes are due on April 15, 2023. The IRS has a helpful tool that can help you determine if you need to file taxes this year. Learn about how being a student affects your taxes below.

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Claiming dependents and paying taxes for them

Understand who can be a dependent that you claim on your taxes.

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Wills and estates

Transfer on death instrument

A program to prepare a Transfer on Death Instrument to give residential property to your loved ones after your death.

Easy Form

Creating a Transfer on Death Instrument

Learn the steps to transfer real estate through a Transfer on Death Instrument without going through the probate process.

How-To

What happens when I die without a will?

Explains how an estate is divided if a person dies without a will.

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Using a small estate affidavit

Steps on how to create and use a small estate affidavit.

How-To

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Responding to debt collectors

An overview of how to respond to debt collectors and your rights when dealing with them.

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Negotiating with a debt collector or debt buyer

Important information about your options when negotiating a consumer debt, both before and after a lawsuit has been filed against you.

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Debt collector letter

This Easy Form makes a letter to a debt collector. You can ask them for proof that you owe the debt, say you don’t owe the debt, or ask them to stop or limit contact. The letter can also explain if you are protected from collection under federal or Illinois law.

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Responding to a collection lawsuit

Receiving a debt collection lawsuit basics

Understand your choices after being sued for debt.

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Responding to a debt collection lawsuit basics

Learn about responding to a debt collection lawsuit.

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Discovery and motions in consumer debt cases basics

Gather evidence and prepare for trial in a debt collection lawsuit.

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Can a debt collector sue you?

Debt collectors must follow certain rules when they contact you. Learn what they can and cannot do.

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Collecting from wages and bank accounts

How a debt judgment can be collected basics

Understand how creditors access wages, bank accounts, and other types of property to collect a debt judgment.

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How a debt judgment can be collected common questions

Find answers to common questions about wage assignments and how creditors can access income and assets.

FAQ

Understanding collection-proof status basics

Learn what it means to be collection-proof, which income and assets are protected from private creditors, and how to notify creditors.

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Understanding collection-proof status common questions

Find answers to common questions about being collection-proof and how creditors can access income and assets.

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Car loans & repossession

Understanding car repossession

Understand when your lender can take your car and what your options are.

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Do I pay Illinois taxes when buying a car in another state?

Understand when to pay Illinois car sales tax when you buy a car in another state.

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Get my impounded car back - Chicago

Steps to recover your impounded car in Chicago from finding the location it was towed to paying the fees.

How-To

Costs for storage of impounded cars - Chicago

If your car is towed or impounded for outstanding parking ticket debt in Chicago you have several options. The cost of storage fees for impounded cars in Chicago is listed here together with links to the search tool offered by CPD called "Where's my car?"

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Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy basics

Understand the basics of bankruptcy, including how it works and what it can do for you.

Guide

Qualifying for bankruptcy

Understand if you qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

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Starting a Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Steps to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy from taking a credit counseling course to filling out the forms you need.

How-To

Chapter 13 bankruptcy basics

Explains Chapter 13 bankruptcy as an option of paying your debts instead of wiping them clean.

Guide

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Debt collections

Responding to a case filed against me in small claims court

Understand how to respond to a lawsuit filed against you for $10,000 or less.

How-To

Small claims court

A video on the procedures, parties, documents, and other things you might need to know when going to small claims court. Presented by Dahde Alexander

Video

Can I have a jury trial in small claims court?

Explains if you can have a jury trial in small claims court and how many people can be on the jury.

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Mechanics Liens

Manual on mechanics liens including purpose, nature, origin, defenses against contractor's and subcontractor's, and more. 2023 edition

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Someone owes me money

Small claims complaint

A program to help you make the forms to sue someone for up to $10,000. It can be used to sue a landlord for a security deposit.

Easy Form

Starting a small claims court case

Steps to file a small claims lawsuit for $10,000 or less from the forms you need to preparing for trial.

How-To

Suing someone for $10,000 or less

Small claims court is a civil court where a plaintiff (person filing the case) can sue someone (a defendant) for $10,000 or less. It has simplified rules and can go much faster than other types of cases.

Guide

Filing costs in a small claims case

Describes the costs of filing a small claims case.

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Loans

Understanding car repossession

Understand when your lender can take your car and what your options are.

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Forgiveness, cancellation, and discharge of student loans

Learn about about different loan forgiveness options, who can qualify, and where to find more resources.

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Costs for storage of impounded cars - Chicago

If your car is towed or impounded for outstanding parking ticket debt in Chicago you have several options. The cost of storage fees for impounded cars in Chicago is listed here together with links to the search tool offered by CPD called "Where's my car?"

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Car loan basics

Understand car loans, including what to do before applying, interest rates and APR, and what you can negotiate.

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Other money and debt issues

How do I sell my car?

Explains the taxes and paperwork involved in selling your car

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How much can a currency exchange charge to cash checks?

Explains the maximum amount that a place to exchange currency can charge to deposit a check based on the check's size.

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Do gift cards or gift certificates expire?

Covers the difference between federal and state laws that affect the validity of gift cards and certificates, as well as what they mean for Illinois residents. Also offers information on fees and scams associated with gift cards.

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The utility company says I owe them a lot of money from a long time ago. What should I do?

Your options when a utility claims you owe them money.

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