CityKey is a free 4-in-1 municipal ID for all Chicagoans, regardless of age, gender, immigration status or housing status.

With a CityKey ID, Chicagoans can unlock access to all our city has to offer. It serves as an official form of ID, library card, Ventra card, and Chicago Rx prescription drug discount card. It provides savings at local participating Chicago businesses, sporting events, and cultural institutions.

Find out more about getting your own CityKey ID at the City Clerk website.

For information on residential garbage collection, see the City of Chicago website.

The City's residential Blue Cart program provides bi-weekly recycling services to single-family homes and multi-unit buildings with four or fewer units. Learn more at the City of Chicago website.

There are many composting opportunities in Chicago, including Food Scrap Drop-off and Community Composting. Learn about those programs and more at the City of Chicago website.

For information about electronics recycling and hazardous waste disposal, see the City of Chicago website.

For information on presenting a claim to the City of Chicago for items like vehicle or property damage, see this page on the City website.

For information about property taxes, including appealing your assessment, see the Cook County Property Tax Portal.

Housing is a human right. Here are some resources for renters who may be experiencing housing difficulties.

• For complex housing questions, speak to a trained housing advocate at the Metropolitan Tenants Organization (MTO) Tenants’ Rights Hotline.

• Served an eviction notice? Contact the Law Center for Better Housing (LCBH) or the Uptown Peoples’ Law Center, an organization that handles CHA cases.

• For housing assistance, reach out to Northside Community Resources.

The City of Chicago website provides many additional resources for renters, including explanations of renters’ rights.

Sewers/catch basins that are full of dirt or debris or that are not draining properly can be reported for cleaning via the 311 system. Be sure to include the approximate address and the location (i.e., near the curb, in the street, or in the alley) of the sewer.

Note: Cleaning of catch basins on private property is the responsibility of the property owner.

The Department of Water Management (DWM) follows a cleaning and maintenance schedule for all sewers in the City of Chicago.

You can request a public sewer be cleaned by submitting a Sewer Cleaning Inspection Request. The City will inspect public sewer structures, assess if they are draining properly and, if necessary, perform a deep cleaning to remove dirt and debris obstructions. 

• If you experience flooding in your basement, submit a Water in Basement complaint.

• If standing water remains on the street 24 hours after a rainstorm, submit a Water on the Street complaint

While each City storm sewer is cleaned approximately every three years, DWM requests that residents also assist by removing day-to-day thick layers of debris and leaves from public catch basins.

Use the following links to learn more about utility services in the City of Chicago:

• Garbage collection

• Peoples Gas

• ComEd power

• Dept of Water

Paying municipal utility bills.

All Chicago residents driving and/or parking a vehicle for which they are responsible in the City of Chicago must purchase and display a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker from the Chicago City Clerk.

For vehicle registration information, see the Illinois Secretary of State.

For information about abandoned vehicles and Chicago tow yards, see the Streets and Sanitation site.

To contest a driving/parking ticket, see this City of Chicago site or contact the ticket helpline at 312.744.7275 M-F 7am-7pm CT.

In Illinois, residents can register at any time, including at the polls on Election Day.

For information about registering to vote, your registration status, and all other voting information, see the Chicago Board of Elections website.