Since winters are usually very harsh in the Midwest often the heating bills can get out of control for Illinois residents. So the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) comes to their rescue to design homes for the cold and cruel winters and help them become more energy efficient thereby reducing the heating costs. IHWAP helps low income families survive the harsh Midwest winters by getting replacement windows and weatherizing your home against the vagaries of nature. It goes to the extent of arranging licensed contractors to come to your home and maintain your heating and air conditioning systems.

The state of Illinois provides medical assistance to children of poorer families. Considering that medical bills can go beyond control, especially for those who barely make enough to make both ends meet, this is a great help. These services take special care of single parents who cannot afford health care services for their children. The program through which the state of Illinois provides health care services to children is Kid Care. This service provides medical assistance to children of low income families and also provides pregnant mothers with the necessary resources to get proper neonatal care. In addition, the state of Illinois pays premiums in certain circumstances to parents who have insurance through their employer or a private insurance company.