Legal Topics on the Web: Adoption-Home Repair

This guide features links to publicly accessible websites on 21 common legal topics, from finding an attorney to home repair. Links to the Law Library catalog are also included. PDF format resources require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

See also the second part of this guide: Legal Topics on the Web: Housing-Workers' Compensation.

I. Adoption

II. Automobiles

III. Bankruptcy

IV. Business Law

V. Civil Rights

VI. Consumer

VII. Copyright

VIII. Courts and Procedure

IX. Criminal Law

X. Debtor/Creditor Law

XI. Disability Law

XII. Discrimination Law

XIII. Domestic Violence

XIV. Education Law

XV. Employment Law

XVI. Family Law

XVII. Finding an Attorney

XVIII. FOIA/Public Disclosure Laws

XIX. Forms

XX. Health Care Law

XXI. Home Repair

I. Adoption

• Cook County Department of Adoption and Family Supportive Services

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services - Adoption

• Adoption - Information on adoption procedures in Cook County, including FAQs, information on adoption records, orders and forms. From the County Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

• Adoption Law in Illinois - From the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

• Child Welfare Information Gateway - Information on child abuse and neglect, adoption, financial resources, adoption laws and legal issues, and publications on adoption. Provides information on the different types of adoption, search for state statutes and statistics. From the United States Department of Health & Human Services.

• International Adoption - Information on adopting from overseas including processes, country information, and forms. From the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service.

• Adoption Laws of the Fifty States, DC, and Puerto Rico - Links to the text of adoption laws from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. From the Cornell Legal Information Institute (LII).

• Adoption resources at the Cook County Law Library

II. Automobiles

• Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways

• Driver Services - Includes Rules of the Road, information on licenses, title and registration, traffic safety and other information. From the Illinois Secretary of State.

• Crime & Traffic - Information on vehicle repossession, drivers licenses, buying and selling, and recovering impounded vehicles. From Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).
  • Repossession (Lawyer Manual)

• Legal Resources: Car - Legal information on your car from buying a car, auto accidents, traffic courts and DUI. From the Illinois State Bar Association.

• Buying, Selling, or Leasing a Vehicle - From the American Bar Association Division for Public Education. Also includes information on Lemon Laws.

• Buying and Owning a Car - Information on car maintenance, buying a new or used car, financing, leasing and renting a car. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

III. Bankruptcy

• See our dedicated legal research guide: Legal Research - Bankruptcy

IV. Business Law

• State of Illinois Business Portal - Forms and information on starting, running and changing a business.

• Business Owner's Toolkit - Provides articles, checklists, business plans and forms.

• Business USA (United States Small Business Administration) - The official business link to the US government. Topics include business laws, employees, finances, government contracting, international trade, research and resources, taxes, training and work environments.

• Business Formation: LLCs & Corporations - Information on starting a business, ownership structures, buying or selling a business, nonprofits, and human resources. See also Small Business. From Nolo Press.

• Franchise Information and Publications - Franchise act and rule, registration tips, and forms. From the Illinois Attorney General.

• Maintaining Your Business: 50 States' Information - Links to business and corporate filing information by state. From the Wyoming Secretary of State.

• Limited Liability Company: The Importance of Choosing the Correct Business Vehicle - From LLRX.

• Business & Work - From Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

V. Civil Rights

• Cook County Commission on Human Rights

• Gobernio USA - Guía oficial de información y servicios del Gobierno.

• Section 1983 Litigation (PDF) - Publication from the Federal Judicial Center providing a summary of the legal principles governing litigation under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983.

• United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) - Directs you to appropriate federal agency for filing a complaint. Links to reports and other publications on civil rights, education, employment, housing, immigration, and voting.
  • Getting Uncle Sam to Enforce Your Civil Rights (PDF) - Extensive information on where, when and how to file a complaint.

• Civil Rights Division, United States Department of Justice - The federal government agency responsible for enforcing federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin.
  • División de Derechos Civiles

• First Amendment Resources - From the American Library Association (ALA).

• Civil Rights: An Overview - Information with links to the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, regulations and opinions. From the Cornell Legal Information Institute (LII).

• Civil rights resources at the Cook County Law Library

VI. Consumer

• Protecting Consumers - Information on advertising, auto buying, financing and repair, children's issues, charities, consumer alerts and warnings, credit and lending, franchise information, general consumer issues and common scams, healthcare, housing, ID theft, internet, protecting small businesses and telecommunications. From the Illinois Attorney General.

• Consumer Legal Guides - Over 25 guides in PDF format on a variety of consumer topics. From the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

• Financial Literacy 101 - Information on credit accounts, buying/leasing a car, buying a home, setting up a household, money management and investing. Provided by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation.

• Consumer Complaints - Instructions for how to file a complaint against a company. From the Official Guide to Government Information and Services.
  • Consumer Action Handbook / Guía del Consumidor - Free publication that includes general advice on shopping for goods or services, with warnings on what to watch out for and also includes information on how to solve consumer problems.

• Answers & Solutions for Customers of National Banks & Federal Savings Associations - Information on credit cards, credit, insurance, bank accounts and mortgages. Provided by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Customer Assistance Group.

• ABA Guide to Consumer Law - Fifteen chapters in PDF format covering topics such as contracts, leases, warranties, automobiles, insurance and buying and selling a home. From the American Bar Association.

• Law Issues for Consumers: Consumer Law - Information on the law of ATM machines, buying and using computer software, and legal issues involving the Internet. From the American Bar Association Division of Public Education.

• Consumer Protection Publications -  Online consumer information from federal government sources. Most publications are in PDF format. Many titles also available in Spanish.

• Consumer Information - Numerous publications with advice on avoiding scams and rip-offs. Consumer topics include automobiles, computers/Internet, credit, education, job placement, energy, ID theft, investments, shopping, and telephone/telemarketing. Provided by the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Información para consumidores

• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - Information on recalls, safety education, law, regulations, standards, and resources for businesses.

• Recalls.gov - One-stop source for U.S. government recalls on consumer products, motor vehicles, boats, food, medicine, cosmetics and environmental products.
  • Información en español

• Consumer Protection - Provided by NOLO Press.

• Consumer Help - From the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Information on checking accounts, consumer credit, consumer protection laws, electronic banking, foreclosures, fraud and scams, and home mortgages.

• Consumer protection resources at the Cook County Law Library.

VII. Copyright

• United States Copyright Office - Information about copyrights, searching copyright records, publications, licensing, registering a work, recording a document, and the law and policy of copyright.
  • Copyright Basics (PDF)

• Copyright & Fair Use - Links to primary materials, guides and policies. Provided by the Stanford University Libraries.

• Patent, Copyright & Trademark - General information on patents, copyright, creative arts & music, software & web development, trademarks, and trade secrets.

• Intellectual property resources at the Cook County Law Library

VIII. Courts and Procedure

For resources for lawyers and self-represented litigants see Legal Research - Litigation Resources

Resources on courts and court procedure for jurors and other members of the public are below.

• Juror Information - Provided by the Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court.

• Court Terms and Definitions - From the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

• How Courts Work - Topics include: Courts and Legal Procedure, Steps in a Trial, The Human Side of Being a Judge, and Mediation. From the American Bar Association Division of Public Education.

• Civil Procedure - Resources on court procedure including how to file court papers for free, serving summons, the basics of going to court, and selected statutes of limitation. From Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

IX. Criminal Law

• Crime & Traffic - Topics covered include general information, crime victim compensation, defenses, expungement, crimes and victim's rights. Provided by Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

• Criminal & Traffic Expungement & Sealing Procedural Guide (PDF) - FAQs and forms about sealing. Also contains information on Executive Pardons; Criminal Identity Theft; and on Certificates of Innocence, Good Conduct, and Relief from Disabilities. Provided by the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

• Prisoner Litigation Handbook (PDF) - Prepared with grant from the Federal District Court of the Northern District of Illinois.

• Manual on Recurring Problems in Criminal Trials, 5th ed. (PDF) - Guide to law governing procedure in criminal trials. From the Federal Judicial Center.

X. Debtor/Creditor Law

• What to Do If You Are In Debt (PDF) - From the Chicago Bar Foundation.

• Money & Debt - Articles on wage garnishment, bankruptcy, repossession, loans, credit scores, and more. From Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

• Dealing with Debt - Articles on consumer credit, fair credit billing, fair debt collection, mortgage payments, debt management plans and more. From the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

• Debt Collection and Your Rights - Information and sample letters. From the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

XI. Disability Law

• Illinois Accessibility Code

• Disability & Health Program - From the Illinois Department of Public Health.

• Equip For Equality - Chicago based organization that advocates for the rights of disabled people in Illinois and administers the Protection & Advocacy Program for Illinois.

• United States Access Board - The homepage for the federal agency committed to accessible design, featuring extensive information includes guidelines and standards, publications and enforcement.

• Americans with Disabilities Act Homepage - Information and technical asssistance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from the United States Department of Justice.

• A Guide to Disability Rights Laws - Provides a brief overview of ten federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities. From the United States Department of Justice.

• Disability Resources - Provided by the United States Department of Labor.

• Benefits for People with Disabilities - From the Social Security Administration.

• The Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (PDF) - Written by Michael K. Fridkin and Laurie Wardell of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, April 2006.

• Office of Disability Employment Policy - Includes an extensive listing of factsheets on employment disability law.

• Disability Discrimination - Overview of disability discrimination law from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

• National Association of the Deaf - Civil rights organization focusing on deaf and hard of hearing people.

• Illinois Association of the Deaf Community Resources - Resources for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Illinois. Also includes the downloadable Deaf and HOH Law Enforcement Card.

XII. Discrimination Law

• Illinois Human Rights Commission - The Commission's primary responsibility is to make impartial determinations of whether there has been unlawful discrimination as defined by the Illinois Human Rights Act.

• Illinois Department of Human Rights - The Department of Human Rights administers the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination.
  • Filing a Charge

• Title VII and Section 1981 (PDF) - A manual for use by attorneys appointed by judges in the Northern District of Illinois to represent indigent clients in employment discrimination cases. From the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - Facts and guidance arranged by type of discrimination (age, disability, equal pay, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, retaliation, sex and sexual harassment). Information on filing a claim, statistics and laws.

• Major Issues in the Federal Law of Employment Discrimination, 4th ed. (PDF) - From the Federal Judicial Center.

• Business & Work - Articles on employment and employment discrimination from Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO). Topics covered include applicable law, limitations, filing a charge, investigation, evidence, right of action and relief. Addresses federal and state laws. 

• Discrimination - Information on discrimination - employment, housing, voting, disability, education, age, sexual orientation. From Lawyers.com.

XIII. Domestic Violence

• Domestic Violence Division, Cook County Circuit Court - Information about the courthouse and its service. Forms for Order of Protection, Stalking No Contact, Civil No Contact, and other domestic violence actions available. For assistance deciding which kind of protective order is appropriate for your circumstance consult the Orders of Protection page.

• Domestic Violence Resources - Information on how to obtain an order of protection. From the Cook County Clerk of Court.

• Illinois Legal Aid Online - Family & Safety - Topics covered include protected persons, remedies, procedures, types of orders, and enforcement. 

• Advocating for Women - Information and brochures on domestic violence, teen dating violence, and crime victim services. From the Illinois Attorney General.

• Safety Planning -  Information on "creating a plan to keep yourself and any children and/or pets safe while living in an environment of domestic violence and abuse, preparing to leave, leaving, and after leaving an abuser." From the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC).
  • Sample safety plan (PDF) - A fill in the blank form for establishing a domestic violence safety plan. From the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV).

• Cook County Clerk of Court Brochures - Topics include orders of protection, dating violence, and guidelines for victims of domestic violence. Provided by the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

• Office on Violence Against Women - Part of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ)

• ABA Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence - Provides publications and resources including:
  • Meeting the Legal Needs of Human Trafficking Victims: An Introduction for Domestic Violence Attorneys & Advocates (PDF)
  • Meeting the Legal Needs of Child Trafficking Victims: An Introduction for Children's Attorneys & Advocates (PDF)
  • Statutory Charts - These charts summarize statutes from all 50 states regarding domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and trafficking.

• WomensLaw.org - State-by-state legal information and resources on domestic violence.

XIV. Education Law

• Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
  • Special Education Programs

• School & Education - Information on special education for disabled students, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), education for homeless students, educational rights and privacy. Provided by Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

• United States Department of Education

• Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) - A bibliographic database of more than 1.1 million citations going back to 1966. More than 110,000 full-text non-journal documents going back to 1966 are available for free. ERIC is sponsored by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) of the U.S. Department of Education.

XV. Employment Law

• The Law & Your Job - How Law Affects the Workplace, Major Federal Laws, and Sexual Harassment. From the American Bar Association Division for Public Education.

• Business & Work - Topics covered include employment, Family and Medical Leave Act, licensing, minimum wage, records, termination, wage claims and workers' compensation. Provided by Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO).

• Popular Topics - Topical index of United States Department of Labor web pages, including equal employment, health benefits, hiring, labor relations, leave benefits, termination, unemployment insurance, veterans' employment, wages, work hours, workers' compensation and Spanish resources.
  • Español

• Handbook on Workers' Compensation and Occupational Diseases (PDF) - From the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission.
  • Manual de compensación de los trabajadores y enfermedades ocupacionales (PDF)

XVI. Family Law

• See our dedicated legal research guide: Legal Research - Family Law

XVII. Finding an Attorney

• Legal Assistance Referrals - Selection of links to legal aid providers in Chicago, suburban and downstate areas compiled by the Illinois Attorney General's office.

• Consumer's Guide to Legal Help: Illinois - Links to lawyer referral services, free legal assistance and legal information. From the American Bar Association.
  • Links for other states.

• Where to Go for Legal Assistance in Chicago (PDF) - A listing of attorney-referral and free or low-cost legal services in the Chicago area. Provided by the Chicago Bar Association.

• Martindale.com - Search for attorneys by name, by location/area of practice, by firm, or for lawyers in corporations, agencies of the US government, or law school faculty.

• FindLaw Lawyer Directory - Provided by West.

• When You Need a Lawyer -  Information on when to hire a lawyer, how to find a lawyer, questions to ask your lawyer, legal fees and expenses, and what to do if you are not satisfied with your lawyer. From the American Bar Association Division for Public Education.

XVIII. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Public Disclosure Laws

• Ensuring Open and Honest Government - Information on public disclosure laws with training and educational materials. Provided by the Illinois Attorney General.

• A Citizen's Guide to Using the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act of 1974 to Request Government Records (PDF) - A report by the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, House Report 105-37, March 20, 1997. Hosted by the United States Department of the Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

• Federal Open Government Guide - A how-to guide for federal FOIA. Provided by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
  • Also available in PDF format.

• Open Government Guide - A compendium of state's open records and open meetings laws. Provided by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

• Department of Justice Guide to the Freedom of Information Act - From the United States Department of Justice Office of Information Policy.

• Freedom of Information Center - Comprehensive collections of links to guides, laws, sample letters and other resources on freedom of information. The Freedom of Information Center is located at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
  • State FOI Laws - collection of links to state open meetings and open records laws.

XIX. Forms

• EBSCO Legal Information Reference Center - Access this subscription service provided by Cook County Law Library for self-help publications on dozens of topics and many forms.

• Illinois Legal Aid Form Library - Forms in ten different subject areas, from civil procedure to crime & traffic.

Cook County Forms

• Cook County Clerk of Court Forms Search

• Cook County Government Agency Directory - Many agencies include relevant forms on their pages.
  • Cook County Department of Revenue

• Vital Records, Cook County Clerk

State of Illinois Forms

• Illinois Tax Forms  - Provided by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

• Illinois Attorney General Consumer Complaint Form (PDF)

• Illinois Human Rights Commission Rules & Forms

• File a Complaint - Illinois Department of Labor forms.

• Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) - Includes forms for applying for employees, employers, and workforce partners.

• Illinois Labor Relations Board (ILRB) Forms

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Forms 

• Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board Forms & Brochures

Federal Forms

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Forms & Pubs

• 'Lectric Law Library Forms Room

XX. Health Care Law

• Illinois Department of Insurance - Information for consumers, providers and seniors.

• Illinois Hospital Report Card and Consumer Guide to Health Care - Find and compare info in volume and cost of services in hospitals and ambulatory surgery treatment centers, quality and safety data, nurse staffing data, patient satisfaction surveys, summaries and links to Illinois laws that ensure consumer protection.

• Hospital Compare - This tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions. Maintained by the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
  • VA Hospital Data

• Continuation of Health Coverage (COBRA) - List of Department of Labor pages concerning COBRA, including frequently asked questions and compliance assistance. Some resources available in Spanish.

• Health Information Privacy - Information and resources on the Health Information Privacy Act (HIPA). Includes resources available in Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog. Provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights.

• A Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with your Employer or Private Health Plan - Information about types of coverage, appealing to your health plan, independent opinions and external review programs. Last updated in 2005. From the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

• Toolkit for Health Care Advance Planning - Ten PDF format tools for developing health care advance directives. Includes self-help worksheets and suggested resources. From the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging.

XXI. Home Repair

• Protecting Consumers Brochures and Pamphlets - From the Illinois Attorney General. See "Home Repair and Housing Issues"
  • Tips to Avoid Home Repair Fraud
  • Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights (PDF)

• The Law and Your Home - Information on the law of home remodeling projects. Provided by the American Bar Association Division for Public Education.