Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD)
Launched in November 2020, Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) is a collaborative effort that provides free legal assistance for tenants facing eviction, small landlords dealing with eviction issues, homeowners behind on mortgages or property taxes, and individuals with consumer debt issues.
All services are available at no cost to Cook County residents and property owners.
- Eviction and Consumer Debt Helpline: (855) 956-5763; Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program Helpline: (855) 452-2637; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cook County Government partners with many organizations on CCLAHD, including:
- The Chicago Bar Foundation
- Circuit Court of Cook County
- City of Chicago Department of Housing
- Illinois Housing Development Authority
For more information, visit cookcountylegalaid.org.
Making an impact
Through November 2025, CCLAHD had served 110,000 residents and provided over 84,000 free legal consultations.
Other highlights include:
- About 80% of residents assisted indicated the court process was fair for all parties.
- About 80% of tenants now show up in court and avoid default eviction judgments, compared to 40%-60% in other communities.
Questions?
For more information, please email Cook County Bureau of Economic Development project director Dena Al-Khatib at dena.al-khatib2@cookcountyil.gov.
For media inquiries, email:
Maria Phelan, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development deputy director of communications
maria.phelan2@cookcountyil.gov
Kyle Garmes, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development public relations specialist