When we decided to get married, we knew we wanted a City Hall ceremony, for multiple reasons. The…read morewhole time, we planned to get married downtown, but when they stopped taking appointments for awhile, I panicked and called Skokie to see if they still were. This was right before the Delta surge, so I don't know what, if anything, has changed, but at the time, we were allowed 4 people to go in with us. I later on found out downtown resumed taking appointments and made one there, but we kept circling back to Skokie, because again, multiple reasons. Downtown only allowed 2 people to go in, there's no easy parking and we wanted to take some photos at spots up north, so we'd be driving in all sorts of circles in such a short period of time. After much debate, we figured Skokie would be easier to navigate for my mom, easier to hit up our photo locations and allowed us to have 2 extra people, which ended up being really nice and much needed on the actual day. This was a rough day. My mom unexpectedly passed a couple weeks prior and I stopped caring about our wedding plans completely. My friends came through and helped get me out of my sadness long enough to have a wonderful day, and the judge? Well, he was great. We actually ended up having 5 people with us (unintentionally) and he didn't mind. He allowed (only) us to take our masks off and then claimed it was his anniversary day, too. He probably tells that to everyone, or maybe it really was, but he really put a smile on everyone's face. If I remember correctly, we were the 2nd to last to get married, but he didn't rush us. He made sure the photographer got all of her photos, and our friends, too! We had 3 separate cars of people driving here. The first 2 cars were friends we sent ahead to "check-in" for us and let them know we were on our way, since we had to make a quick pit stop after the first photo location. Security was quick to come out and remind us about masks, which we then panicked about when we realized my stepdad didn't have his and my friends who were inside had all the extras. In all that chaos, everything worked out. During covid, at least, they have you check-in, pay the fee (I think it was $10) and then have you wait a little bit before they get started. Each couple, and their party, goes in one at a time and I think they had something like 6 spots per day, which is why it was important to call and make that appointment. I recently remarked to my husband that it would have been nice to have some pictures outside of City Hall, but we had no regrets about choosing this location and there was a spot right out front where we were able to take some really nice photos.

This place bites. I needed to get some documents from the vital records office and when we got…read morethere, the security guard said that office was closed (I guess that's why there were people pouring out of the building a few minutes after 4 pm). He also told me that apparently the vital records office runs on an appointment only basis. Yet when I made my appointment for the following day, they let folks in who didn't have an appointment. Weird. I don't really love this new development, especially since you don't know about it unless you show up or I guess look at their website beforehand. This is a relatively new system, because when I went to pick up some record a couple years ago from this same office at this courthouse and was able to walk in and do it within fifteen minutes. And when you get there they make you sit directly next to one another--four of us were sitting elbow to below when there were at least a dozen and a half chairs there. If you want to walk in, go downtown for assistance.

What an outstanding crew. I stopped in today to apply for a passport. The clerks couldn't have been…read moremore patient and helpful. People are quick to complain about public workers but rarely take the time to say thanks and give praise for good work. Today I say thanks and acknowledge the fine work of the desk crew at the Norridge village hall. Thanks all , you made my visit quick and easy I just wanted to say thanks much Bob

The few times that I've gone here to village hall, I have found the village of Norridge staff to be…read morehelpful and polite. The only problem is that when the 2 weeks of early election voting is taking place, no special accommodations are made for the handicapped voters waiting in line. Standing up for more than 10 mins. becomes painful. The village officials should require the election judges using these premises to accommodate the handicapped. And to bring more than two voting machines, so the line doesn't back up out into the street and alley, like it has been.

So I went to get a passport today 02/28/25 and what great customer service I was probably in and…read moreout within 20 mins ,effecient and so pleasant definitely go for a passport they do pictures also .Great customer service

I stopped by here yesterday with my mother and grandmother, and we were pleasantly surprised. The…read moretownship offers SO many services for seniors, and people in the area - senior dances, movie nights, programs for the hearing impaired, and cheap bus rides to stores and doctor appointments for seniors and individuals that are disabled, are just a few examples. We also spoke with a few of the staff, and they all were very friendly and helpful. I highly recommend anyone new to the area, or with a senior or disabled family member in the area, visit at least once.

If you are looking to get married in Chicago City Hall, here are few things you should know about…read morethat process. First, you need a marriage licenes at the City Clerk's Office. Go to Daley Center for that. It is somewhere in the basement. You need to do that 24 hours before the big day and it is valid for 60 days. Then you go to 118 N. Clark St. The place you looking for is in the basement also. It is kind of hard to find it, cause it is in a padway. Wonder why....... No appoitments accepted. You need to get in a line. There is few rooms where the ceremony will be perform. The ceremony takes usually few more minutes and it is host by city judge. Some of them are really really nice and cool :_) Some of them just doing there job I guess :_(

I don't know why I'm always disappointed by government employees and services. I should know better…read morethan to expect anything besides a terrible experience. It's just frustrating that almost anytime you deal with a governmental employee, they seem gruff at best. And even those working in one of the more joyous units of county government! I called with some questions when the woman called me back, she was muttering under her breath--I don't think she expected me to pick up because I had call screening on. But she apologized for like 30 seconds at the beginning of the call saying it was a bad day, she was annoyed, but not at me--a very professional start. She did provide good directions--119 W Randolph, take the escalator downstairs. And yes, you'll enter on the Randolph side; don't use the Clark or LaSalle entrance or you'll probably get a bit turned around. But what was especially annoying is that they close for like 2.5 hours during the day. That isn't really made clear anywhere except for the sign right outside the office door, and in the two phone calls I had with them before stopping in they didn't mention being closed from 11:30 to 2. So plan accordingly. There's a $10 fee, cash only (also incredibly weird as far as I'm concerned, from both the safety perspective and that it's the year 2026). If you forget your fee, there's an ATM upstairs. On the plus side, this location performs ceremonies all week without appointments, unlike the suburban courthouses. Saturday they do require appointments, but it's nice that do any on Saturdays.

Went here to get my substitute teacher certification and registration for the west burbs. The…read morewoman who helped me gave me a lot of good information and helpful tips, which I need because I'm new to all this educational bureaucracy stuff. I know you don't have a choice, other than by mail or something, but I'd say it's worth a drive.

West 40 employee Sharon Balderas was extremely helpful guiding me through the Teaching Certificate…read morereinstatement process after mine lapsed. She was very patient with me as I fumbled logging into the ELIS website and directed me to tech support for help with my password problem. She also gave me her direct phone number so I could call her back once I was logged in. I was grateful to her for this because I wouldn't have to explain my situation again to someone new. Once I was into the system, Sharon walked me through the procedure to reinstate my certificates. Note: ELIS is not very user friendly, especially to this user. She told me it could take up to two weeks for the system to update my status. And, I could call her back if it didn't because my grace period was about to expire. Today (two days later), Sharon calls me to let me know that the system updated my teaching status and talks me through the renewal process. Ms. Balderas is a Five-Star employee and a credit to the organization. I can't say enough about her kindness and helpfulness to me!

Informative. Very nice not like the IRS every one was nice beginning to end gave us places to call…read moreand people to follow up with

think this is a scam if you get a call from this number. wrong website listed and caller is shady…read more Right website is https://tax.illinois.gov/

Well, I don't know if it's appropriate to write a subjective review on a government agency. I…read moreguess I should share some tips with you yelpers, just in case that you're curious. 1) plan your time accordingly: you will be spending extra time going through the metal detector and security. Their checks are much stricter than what they would perform at the airport. Cellular and electronic devices ought to be placed at a separate bin. You will also need to take your shoes and coats off and place all your extra layers onto the bins. 2) go to the right floor: the first floor is for the info pass inquiries; the second floor is for any service that has to do with green cards; the third floor is for any service that has to do with naturalization. 3) friends, families, and lawyers can come with you, as they have a large waiting area in each floor. Nevertheless, they will be required to go through the security as well. 4) cellular and electronic devices are to be "turned off" at the waiting area. I still heard them buzzing at the waiting room. Seriously, people. Follow the law! 5) driving in the downtown area is always tricky. However, the CTA Lasalle Blue line station is "right" outside of the building. I took the CTA brown line and got off at the Lasalle/Van Buren stop. I then went one (1) block south to the Congress Parkway. If you take my route, as soon as you get to Congress, you will see a large building in front of you with that "proud eagle" U.S. immigration and Custom sign that you all are familiar with. You cannot possibly miss it! 6) If you choose to take the CTA Red Line, get off at Harrison, and walk approximately three (3) blocks north to Dearborn. Then you will turn west onto Congress. Well, if you're directionally-challenged, try to transfer to the blue line at Clark/Lake. As I said before, the CTA Lasalle Blue Line station is located right in front of the destination.

Really great service. I didn't know if I was even going to be able to get my passport not only did…read moreI was in and out in 20 minutes without an appointment.

We love living in Des Plaines: "City of Destiny!" Schools are good (especially the year-round…read moreschool Iroquois (K-8), the Park District actually spends good money on parks for the people (which they actually use a lot), the Police are respectful and not annoying (they show up ultra fast), property taxes are relatively low, and folks are diverse and regular (not suburban snotty and entitled). For whatever reason, housing prices are more affordable in Des Plaines than in neighboring towns like Park Ridge, and Mt. Prospect. Probably some of the lowest in the north and northwest suburbs. I like that, because it encourages diversity of household income levels as well as ethnicity. And that whole melange of people in Des Plaines encourages an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance that is increasingly rare nowadays. It's a great city to raise kids in. You'll know your neighbors. You will become more tolerant and cosmopolitan. And become a better you. You'll probably also become pretty hot and attractive, as a result of your approachability. Place matters. And it's pronounced "American-style" Dez Planes, not the fancy French way (though we do owe the French a huge debt for the cool names of most of the towns here in the Midwest). And if you're into excluding others because of race, color, creed or income, please feel free to move elsewhere, into one of the many splendid gated suburban communities, where you will surely be safe from guys like me dating and marrying your sons or daughters.

The city of Des Plaines clearly is not overly concerned with the people who live here or the fact…read morethat this horrific place is driving down property values for homeowners. It's only going to get worse with the new parking "rules" for visitors, so local homeowners can plan on significantly increased visitor parking in front of their houses. Take it up with the city, see how far you get.