Resources for Seniors

The St. Charles Park District maintains an Adult Activity Center inside the Pottawatomie Community Center. Ages 50 or better are welcome to enjoy a variety of meaningful and fun leisure time activities. Whether it’s a brisk game of table tennis, surfing the internet, a game of cards or a field trip to an area attraction, staying active and engaged in a community lifestyle can mean the difference between aging successfully and aging prematurely. Trips, breakfasts, card playing, health/ fitness classes and educational programs create a well-rounded environment. Evening programs are also available. Visit www.stcparks.org or call (630) 513-4323.

8 North Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60174

The St. Charles Police Department’s crime prevention officer has special training in assisting senior citizens, and is a certified Elderly Service Officer as designated by the Illinois Attorney General’s office. The officer can be contacted if assistance is needed with anything from reporting a crime against a senior citizen to senior crime prevention help. The officer also can direct seniors and their families to a multitude of county and state resources that specialize in assisting seniors. For more information, contact the Police Department at (630) 377-4435.

Elder Watch is a free program that is designed to assist police, fire, and ambulance personnel with information that may be needed to help seniors in a crisis or medical emergency. Citizens aged 60 and over can download the two-page Elder Watch Application Form(PDF, 150KB) or pick one up at the Police Department, located at 1515 W. Main Street.

The information from the completed application is then transferred into the Tri-Com Dispatch Center database. Local police and fire personnel then have this information available in an emergency situation.

Home Rehab & Accessibility Loan Program - The City offers a zero interest, deferred payment loan for income-eligible households to fix maintenance issues such as plumbing, roofing, electrical, windows, and siding, as well as to make necessary accessibility improvements including ramps, chair lifts, and bathroom modifications.

This program is funded by the St. Charles Housing Trust Fund and is supplemental to the Kane County Home Rehabilitation Program. Up to $20,000 in assistance is available through the County's program. Homeowners may qualify for an additional $10,000 from the City if additional funds are needed.

For application information please contact Community Contacts, Inc. at 847.697.8800 or visit cci-hci.org.

Rental Assistance and Housing Support Program - The Rental Assistance and Housing Support Program is a program through Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) that provides rental assistance through grants to those living in or prepared to move into Rental Housing Support (RHS) program property. Households must meet income criteria, have stable income, and abide by rules in the lease. Funds will be provided through local non-profits.  In St. Charles, the participating agency is:

Lazarus House
214 Walnut St.
St. Charles, IL 60174
(630) 587-5872
www.lazarushouse.net
info@lazarushouse.net

Chicago office
401 N. Michigan Ave, Ste. 700
Chicago, IL 60611
(866) 454-3571
www.ihda.org

• Anthony Place
• Carroll Tower
• Hunt Club Village

The St. Charles Fire Department, with help from local businesses, is proud to introduce the Safety for Seniors Program —a program designed to make our community a safer place for seniors. The program will initially have two parts: The Home Safety Program and the “Vial of Life” Program.

• The Home Safety Program offers seniors free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, along with a free home safety check. St. Charles firefighters will install the detectors as needed and perform the home safety check. A home safety check consists of looking for fire hazards and making recommendations to eliminate the hazards.

• The “Vial of Life” Program is a nationwide program designed to assist emergency rescue teams in medical treatment in the event that a senior is found alone and unconscious or unable to communicate. A medical data form containing vital information, such as allergies, medications, contacts, etc., is inserted into a vial and kept in the top right hand shelf of the refrigerator door. The Vial of Life kit is free.

For more information about these programs, contact the St. Charles Fire Department at (630) 377-4458.

These programs are made available by the following local businesses: Walmart, System Sensor.

The Illinois Department on Aging assists with elder abuse, neglect and exploitation of an elderly subject(s) who lives in a private residence, and who is being abused/neglected/exploited by family, friends or home health care staff. Local police should be contacted to initiate an investigation; however a report also can be made with the Department on Aging, which can assist victims and families in the process. Contact the 24-hour Illinois Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-866-800-1409 or 1-888-206-1327 (TTY).

The Illinois Department of Public Health assists with elder abuse/neglect/exploitation of an elderly subject(s) who lives in a long-term care facility like a nursing home or Alzheimer’s facility. Local police should be contacted to initiate an investigation; however a report also can be made with IDPH, which may start its own, non-criminal investigation. Contact the Department of Public Health at 1-800-252-4343 or 1-800-547-0466 (TTY).

The Attorney General’s Office takes consumer complaints and can engage in informal dispute resolution on behalf of consumers having problems with:

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office maintains an Identity Theft Hotline, which guides Illinois residents along the sometimes turbulent and confusing path toward reporting a crime, and cleaning up one’s credit history. Local police should be contacted first to initiate in investigation. A complaint can then be made with the AG’s office at 1-866-999-5630 or 1-877-844-5461 (TTY).

TRIAD is an initiative consisting of law enforcement and other community activists that focuses on needs and concerns of the elderly, including crimes against the elderly. The St. Charles Police Department’s Crime Prevention Officer is involved in the Central Kane County TRIAD. The group regularly provides safety academies to alert seniors to ongoing crimes trends against senior citizens.

The office of the Illinois Attorney General provides a multitude of services and programs to assist all residents, and is committed to preventing crime against senior citizens. Complaints can be filed with the office using the information below.

Illinois Attorney General’s Office - Senior Advocacy
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601

Illinois Attorney General Consumer Fraud Hotline
Chicago: 1-800-386-5438 or 1-800-964-3013 (TTY)

Illinois Attorney General Senior Fraud Helpline
1-800-243-5377 or 1-800-964-3013 (TTY)

Homeowner Helpline
1-866-544-7151 (Voice/TTY)

ID Theft Hotline
1-866-999-5630 or 1-877-844-5461 (TTY)

The National Do Not Call Registry gives people a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call a number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, homeowners can file a complaint at www.donotcall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222 or TTY: 1-866-290-4236. Home and/or mobile phones can be registered for free.

The Illinois Attorney General’s office contains more information about the Do Not Call List, including more links to complaint forms.

Prairie State Legal Services - Prairie State Legal Services for Kane, DeKalb and Kendall Counties, at the Fox Valley Office, is a not-for-profit law firm offering free legal assistance or advice for certain civil legal matters. This includes government or public benefits, landlord or tenant, utility problems, elder abuse, nursing home rights, limited family law matters and consumer law. Clients are screened and matched with attorneys. Telephone counseling is available. No criminal or traffic cases accepted. There are no income requirements in civil matters for seniors 60+ or for emergency orders of protection.

West Suburban Office
31W001 E North Ave, Suite 200
West Chicago, IL 60185
(630) 690-2130
(800) 690-2130

Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office - Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Unit – Kane County State's Attorney's Office Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Unit specializes in the prosecution of crimes against seniors (age 60 and over) or persons with disabilities (18 to 59 years). Included are such crimes as financial exploitation, consumer fraud, identity theft, neglect, physical and sexual abuse. This unit is comprised of Assistant State's Attorneys and Victims' Rights Advocates, who deal with the legal rights of seniors and persons with disabilities. Spanish is spoken.

100 South Third Street 
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 208-5324

Senior Services Associates can assist with providing hot meals on a regular basis for people who are elderly, adults with disabilities or other targeted populations who may be at risk for nutritional deficits without assistance and who can profit from an opportunity to socialize with others. Congregate meals are often combined with recreational, educational and social activities.

101 South Grove Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120
(847) 741-0404
(800) 942-1724

The Illinois Department of Human Services takes part in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps) helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. Benefits are provided on the Illinois Link Card - an electronic card that is accepted at most grocery stores. The program is managed by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Department of Human Services administers the program in Illinois.

DHS Help Line: 1-800-843-6154

Military and Veterans Rights Bureau
Office of the Attorney General
James R. Thompson Center, 12th floor
100 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60601

Military and Veterans Rights Hotline
1-800-382-3000 or 1-800-964-3013 (TTY)

Senior Services Associates is a non-profit agency providing services to seniors and their families in Kane, Kendall, and McHenry Counties of Illinois. Services include assessment and case management, community care programs, information and referral, outreach, legal services, R.S.V.P transportation, senior companion programs, assistance with forms completion and much more. Their main office is located at 101 S. Grove, Elgin, IL 60120, or call 847-741-0404, toll free 800-942-1724.

Learn more on our site about public transportation options for St. Charles, including discounted rides for seniors.