If you are in financial trouble, you are not alone. Thousands of people face money problems each year. Some fail to accurately calculate their income, expenses, and debts, and some experience unexpected changes in their financial circumstances. Debt, defaults, and bankruptcy are on the rise. 

Chestnut Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) helps individuals and families with financial problems by analyzing personal finances and by assisting with financial planning, money management, and planned debt repayment. CCCS is not-for-profit and is affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC).

How it Works

CCCS works with creditors to negotiate waivers of late fees and over-the-limit fees and to lower interest rates, allowing clients to pay down credit card debt much more quickly.

Clients make a monthly payment to CCCS. In turn, we send payment to your creditors. You receive a monthly statement from credit card companies, which helps to monitor progress. You also get periodic reports from us.

Financial Education

Education is critical to learning from past mistakes and preventing future financial problems. We offer financial education programs to employers, schools, service clubs, and community groups on topics like establishing a spending plan, setting financial goals, improving your credit, preventing identity theft, building a better credit report, payday lenders, and avoiding credit repair scams.

MyMoneyCheckUp®

This free tool assesses one’s overall financial health related to budgeting and credit management, saving and investing, retirement planning, and managing home equity. An assessment of financial health and financial behaviors also includes suggested changes to help one become more financially independent. Click here to register. 

Student Loan Counseling

The average public university student with a four-year degree graduates with more than $30,000 in student loan debt. With more than 30 loan types and more than 100 repayment solutions, you need an expert who can identify the best repayment plan for your situation. CCCS offers a Federal student debt analysis. A final report lists recommendations, tax implications, and other considerations and steps to take to implement the solution(s) you choose. Click here to see a demo, view sample reports, and get started.

Debt Management Plan

For clients on a CCCS debt management plan, we provide periodic reports that summarize monies disbursed to each creditor. We are successful when clients: 

  • Complete their repayment program
  • Feel a sense of accomplishment as they see a reduction in credit card balances
  • Experience relief from creditor phone calls and frequent demand letters
  • Regain financial control over his or her credit card bills

If you have already counseled with us and need the Debt Management Plan Enrollment forms to sign up, please click on the following link to download and review: Debt Management Plan Enrollment Forms 

New clients click here to get started.
Current clients click here to log in to the Debt Management Program record here.

Bankruptcy Counseling

CCCS offers bankruptcy counseling by telephone, in person, or online. Such counseling is required before filing bankruptcy and is offered to those considering filing in the Central, Northern, or Southern District in Illinois. The fee is $50.00. For online counseling, click here.

In-person counseling for Pre-Discharge Debtor Education – required for the discharge of a bankruptcy – is offered at our offices in Bloomington, Granite City, and Joliet, Illinois and online. The fee is $49.00.

For more information on obtaining counseling for bankruptcy or bankruptcy discharge, please call us at 800.615.3022. In Madison and St. Clair County, please call us at 618.877.4420


Contact Us

To make an appointment, please call 800.615.3022.

Chestnut Credit Counseling Services is a non-profit service agency consisting of professional credit counselors, dedicated to enable all individuals to reduce budgetary stress and regain financial control. Our objective is to provide consumer education confidential budget counseling and/or debt management programs, regardless of income or amount of debt through personal contact in a timely manner at convenient locations. We do not lend money.