Recommended Websites
February 2019
Our Past is Important to the Present
African American History Month
Chinese New Year of the Pig
February 5
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
February 12
Valentine's Day
February 14
International Mother Language Day
February 21
Automobiles
Consumer Guide
Reviews for both new and used vehicles.
Edmunds
Information on both new and used vehicles, including mileage ratings.
Kelley
Can also search for new and used cars by vehicle type
Lemon Law
When that car you always wanted becomes the car you never want to see again
NADA
Can also create chart for comparing vehicles
Regional Scenic Routes
Where you can drive and enjoy both the scenery and the vehicle
Business
Better Business Bureau
Make sure of companies' reliability and what you can do if they are not
Big Charts
An online resource to stock market quotes
Illinois Business Portal
Information on starting and running a business in Illinois
Illinois Department of Commerce
Find out what the state offers to promote Illinois business
Illinois Secretary of State
Information for doing business in Illinois
Illinois Small Business Advisor
Resources for small businesses in Illinois
Motley Fool
"Fool's" guide to money management
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Assists job seekers by describing careers with their suggested education requirements, job duties, and income ranges.
United States Small Business Administration
Find the information you need to become your own boss
Thomas Register
This well-known business directory is now available online
Yahoo Finance
Links to financial sites from different subject headings
Consumer Info
Better Business Bureau
Make sure of companies' reliability and what you can do if they are not
Catalog Choice
Eliminate unwanted catalogs from your mailbox
Consumer.Gov
Link to different government agencies addressing consumer issues
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Learn whether that desired item is safe or unsafe
Direct Marketing Choice
Take control of the advertising that fills your mailbox
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Be sure of your doctor's qualifications and licensure
Illinois Legal Aid
Find answers to your Illinois-related legal questions
Identity Theft Resource Center
Help for those who have been victimized by this modern crime
National Do Not Call Registry
Eliminate those unwanted sales calls
Opt Out Prescreen
Stop receiving pre-approved credit / insurance applications
Product Recall Information
Learn about the products that failed to perform in a safe manner
Yellow Pages Go Green
Stop receiving those unwanted phone books
Education
Accredited Online Schools and Colleges
In-depth information on top-ranked accredited national and regional online schools and colleges including degree programs, subjects of interest, accrediting agencies, and more.
ACT
Complete practice ACT tests online
Affordable Colleges Online
Information about pursuing your education online, financial aid, and other college-related issues.
Campus Tours
Visit the college you want to attend from the comfort of your own home
Citing Sources
Enter sources in their correct bibliographic form
College Abacus
Calculate your estimated net price direct from schools before you apply
College Illinois
Plan ahead for those upcoming college costs
College Scholarships - American Educational Guidance Center
Fill out school applications and discover scholarship opportunities.
FAFSA
Fill out an online application to receive student loans
Federal School Codes
Listing of the Federal School Codes to be used on the FAFSA applications
GRE
Be prepared for the test and learn where it is being offered
Illinois Report Cards
See how well your child's school performs
Illinois State Board of Education
Clearinghouse for education-related information in Illinois
Online Degree Navigator
Resource for reviews, ratings, and comparisons of the best online and on-campus college and university degrees.
Online U
Find that online course that will propel you to a new career.
Petersons
Learn all you need to know about undergraduate and graduate education.
Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers
Check the facts, know the facts and not be misled by fake news.
Entertainment
American Film Institute (AFI)
Find out what movies the Institute labels 'the best'
All Music Guide
Where to find information about that favorite song or that favorite group
Billboard
The magazine for almost everything musical
Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
Grand database of movies with credits to all who played a part in creating them
MetroMix
Find listing for nearly all forms of entertainment in Chicago
Moviefone
Find listings for the movies both in theaters now and those that are coming soon
National Enquirer
The place for celebrity gossip
Northwest Special Recreation Association
Provides opportunities through recreation for children and adults with disabilities
Parents Television Council Reviews
Find television shows and movies that are 'parent friendly'
People
Source for the latest Hollywood news
Ravinia
Home for fine arts on the North Shore
Rotten Tomatoes
Bold, honest movie reviews
Stub Hub
The place to go to either buy or sell tickets
Ticketmaster
Find just the tickets you want for that event you just want to attend
Environment
Chicago Wilderness
Care about the Natural Resources of Illinois
Earth 911
Find Local Recycling Centers by ZIP Code
Environmental Protection Agency
Learn about the issues and laws concerning the environment
National Do Not Call Registry
Preserve the quiet environment of your home by eliminating unwanted sales calls
Natural Resources Defense Council
Find ways to protect Wildlife and Wild Places
Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County
See a list of local communities and the recycling services they offer
Genealogy
Cook County Genealogy Online
Site through which to find Cook County vital records
Cyndislist
Clearinghouse of different genealogy-related websites
Ellis Island
Find information concerning those who came through Ellis Island by name or ship
FamilySearch
Vital Records database with guides and forms to aid you in your search
Illinois State Archives
Historical Records held at different libraries around the state
National Records and Archives Administration
Collection of documents ranging from genealogies to veteran records
National Genealogical Society
Guidelines showing how to successfully research your family history
General Reference
Area Code Locations
Confirm the location of that unfamiliar number.
Merriam-Webster Online
Offers access to both a dictionary and a thesaurus
Wikipedia
The online encyclopedia created by users like you and me
ZIP Code Boundary Map
Search a national map for ZIP Code areas
Government
Cook County
Help for finding answers to questions concerning county-wide issues
Cook County Assessor's Office
Help for finding answers to questions concerning your property
Cook County Election Department
Where to register to vote for the next election and see who will be running at that time
County Office
Find your county assessor, courts, and other county government offices.
Illinois Legal Aid
Find answers to your Illinois-related legal questions
State of Illinois
Official doorway to sites concerning statewide issues
US Government
Official doorway to sites concerning national issues
US Government Telephone and Email Directory
Find a way to contact that representative or senator you want to speak with
Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers
Check the facts, know the facts and not be misled by fake news.
Health/Medicine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Offers a wide range of sites and articles regarding health issues
Healthy Children
Comprehensive site for beneficial child & family information
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Be sure of your doctor's qualifications and licensure
Mayo Clinic
Find information about specific symptoms and diseases
Medlineplus
Government-sponsored website for health news and information
NIH (National Institutes of Health)
Information about health-related topics including clinical trials and hotlines
NIMH (National Institutes of Mental Health)
Information about mental health-related topics
Quackwatch
Nonprofit organization's website warning people of medical fraud
Jobs/Careers
Career Builder (Chicago Tribune)
Yahoo! Hot Jobs (Daily Herald)
^Back to the Top^News/Weather
National Weather Service (NOAA)
^Back to the Top^Senior Adults
AARP
Learn about all of the information and opportunities available to the young at heart
About Assisted Living
Provides easy-to-understand guides and information, written by medical professionals, on a variety of topics in assisted living.
Administration for Community Living
Discover the many benefits that are available to seniors courtesy of the U.S. government
City of Chicago – Senior Services
See what activities and opportunities are available for seniors in the Chicagoland area
Kenneth Young Center – Senior Services
Receive support and assistance from someone right here in your neighborhood
Medicare
Find the plan and provider that will the best source of caring for your medical needs
National Council on Aging
Read important information regarding the issues that are important to senior adults
Senior Living Map
Locate Senior and Assisted Living Centers throughout the state of Illinois
Taxes
Internal Revenue Service
Information and forms to be used to file your federal income tax return
IL Department of Revenue
Information and forms to be used to file your state income tax return
Tax forms for other states
Links to other states' tax forms
Travel
Bicycle Maps
Links to full color maps of popular trails in the area
CDC
Health information for worldwide travelers
Choose Chicago - Things to Do
Finding events to experience right in our own backyard
CTA (Chicago Transit Authority)
Public Transportation schedules for Chicago
Currency Converter
See how much your money is worth in over 160 different currencies
Fodors
Help in planning that trip to that place you've always wanted to visit
Illinois Bureau of Tourism
Find Places to Go and Things to See right here in Illinois
Mapquest
Where one can find a destination and directions how to get there
Metra
Maps and Information for local passenger train travel
NPS.gov (National Park Service)
Just the place to go in order to find a way 'back to nature'
Pace Bus
Maps and Information for the bus system
Road Scholar
Travel the world with others who are young at heart
RTA
Maps and Information for the Regional Transportation Authority
U.S. State Department
All the information you need before you travel outside the United States
Last Updated: November 9, 2018