Resources

We seniors are fortunate to live in a city that offers so many services targeted to our needs, many of them free. And the web has given us access to an abundance of local and state as well as national and international resources. This section of the LAW website offers you three ways to become familiar with them.

The first table lists local and national organizations providing services to seniors and links to their websites. 

The second table, "Needs You May Have," lists some common needs of seniors with services and organizations that specifically address those needs. The table provides a link to each one that will bring you directly to the resource(s) that can help.

The third table provides a list of organizations offering travel opportunities to seniors, some limited to seniors, and some designed for a range of ages, including seniors.   

Remember to check the Bulletin Board section on the EBA Building Link for services shareholders are offering to other shareholders.

RENEWING AN ILLINOIS DRIVER’S LICENSE

According to a new Illinois law that will take effect in July 2026, seniors 87 and younger renewing a driver’s license will no longer need to take a driving test.

Passing a vision test at a Secretary of State DMV facility will still be required. Therefore, in-person renewal will be necessary, but on a walk-in basis.

Seniors seeking to renew a driver’s license with no changes of name or address will need only to present their current license for renewal. Note: This is for license renewal only. More documentation is needed to apply for a Real ID. See the Illinois Secretary of State’s website for details: go to ilsos.gov and select Real ID from the menu under Senior Services.

 There are four seniors-only walk-in DMV centers located in the Chicago area. All are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. No appointment is needed. The closest one to us is:

Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., Evanston, IL 60202 

The others are: Bridgeview Community Center, 7900 S. Oketo Ave., Bridgeview, IL 60455; Westchester Village Hall, 10300 W. Roosevelt Rd., Westchester, IL 60154; and Calumet Township Community Center, 12633 S. Ashland Ave. Calumet Park, IL 60827.

There is also a senior-only call center at 800-252-8980 (press 2) for questions you may have.

HEART TO HEART

If you need something that helps you to move or prevents you from falling, or if you have medical equipment you no longer need, St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church is ready to help you. The mission of the Edgewater church’s Heart to Heart ministry is to help seniors who need minimal assistance, enabling them to remain independent in their home. Among other services, Heart to Heart offers a Medical Lending Closet. Available items include standard walkers, rollators, crutches, wheelchairs, shower chairs, tub transfer benches, and portable commodes. Please call the Lending Closet at 773-973-5464 to schedule an appointment, or to drop off donations. St. Gertrude’s is located at 1420 W. Granville.