Consumer Resources
Bankruptcy
WCBA (Winnebago County Bar Association)
(815) 964-5152
Web Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~videos
Consumer Law: Foreclosure issues
“Cleaning up your credit”
~Articles regarding Bankruptcy- www.legalhelpers.com
- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
- http://www.nacba.org/ - National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
- http://www.abanet.org/premartindale.html - Hire a lawyer
Collection Agency
WCBA (Winnebago County Bar Association)
(815) 964-5152Web Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Forms – Consumer: - Collection/Repossession:
Letter to Collection Agency
Letter to Creditor
~Article regarding Collection Agency- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Consumer Fraud
Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotlines:
Chicago (800) 386-5438
Springfield (800) 243-0618
Carbondale (800) 243-0607
Spanish Hotline (866) 310-8398
ID Theft (866) 999-5630
Consumer Complaints
Illinois Attorney General’s Office:
www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumersWeb Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Articles regarding Consumer Fraud, especially for senior citizens.- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Credit Practices / Reports
Web Sites:
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Forms:
- Letter to Dispute Credit Report
- Letter to Credit Reporting Agency Requesting Them to Furnish a Notice of Credit Report Correction
- Letter to Credit Card Company or Bank Where Criminal Opened a Fraudulent Account in Your Name
- Letter to Credit Card Company or Bank to Report Identity Theft
~Articles regarding Credit Reports- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Foreclosures
Self Help Center at the Courthouse
400 W. State Street, Rm. 304 in Law Library
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4526
--Navigator available: 9am-4pm M, Tu, W; 8am-3pm Th; 8am-3pm F
~ Self Help Manual # 19 – "What Happens If You Are Sued for Foreclosure"WCBA (Winnebago County Bar Association)
(815) 964-5152
Web Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com
- http://winnebago.illinoislegalaid.org or www.illinoislegalaid.org
~videos - Consumer Law:
"What you can do to avoid Foreclosure"
"What happens after the Foreclosure Sale?"
"What happens once a Foreclosure lawsuit is filed?"
"Mortgage Foreclosure Scams"
-Housing:
"Foreclosure"
www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Garnishment
Web Sites:
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Forms:
- “Letter to Creditor to Stop a Wage Assignment”
~Articles regarding Garnishment
Identity Theft
Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotlines:
Chicago (800) 386-5438
Springfield (800) 243-0618
Carbondale (800) 243-0607
Spanish Hotline (866) 310-8398
ID Theft (866) 999-5630
Web Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com/
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Forms:
- Letter to Credit Bureau to Report Credit Card Theft
- Letter to Credit Reporting Agencies to Report Identity Theft
- Letter to Credit Card Company or Bank Where Criminal Opened a Fraudulent Account in Your Name
- Letter to Credit Card Company to Report Stolen Credit Card
- Letter to Insurance Company to Report Identity Theft
~Articles regarding Identity Theft- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Public Aid
Public Aid Office
1111 N. Avon St.
Rockford, IL
(815) 987-7620
Small Claims
Self Help Center at the Courthouse
400 W. State Street, Rm 304 in Law Library
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 319-4526
--Navigator available: 9am-4pm M, Tu, W; 8am-3pm Th; 8am-3pm F
~Self Help Manual # 7 – "Small Claims Court in Illinois"Web Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com/
- http://winnebago.illinoislegalaid.org or www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Video - Consumer Law: Small Claims Court- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Sweepstakes Scams
Attorney General’s Consumer Fraud Hotlines:
Chicago (800) 386-5438
Springfield (800) 243-0618
Carbondale (800) 243-0607
Spanish Hotline (866) 310-8398
ID Theft (866) 999-5630
Web Sites:
- http://public.findlaw.com
- www.illinoislegalaid.org
~Articles on Consumer Fraud, not Sweepstakes Scam specifically.- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.
Utilities (lack of/low income)
PSLS (Prairie State Legal Services)
303 North Main St., #600
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 965-2902
(800) 892-2985LIHEAP
555 N. Court
Rockford, IL
(815) 987-5711Circuit Breakers
Zeke Giorgi Center
200 S. Wyman Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-7433
Web Sites:
- www.consumerlaw.org/advice/content/consumer_info_content.html - Consumer Education Brochures can be downloaded free of cost.

