Find AA Meetings in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago, Illinois AA Meetings

Chicago has one of the largest AA communities in the country. More than 275 in-person groups meet across more than 125 venues citywide, with more than 600 weekly in-person sessions available as of July 2026. In addition, more than 100 additional groups hold online sessions.

The meeting list above lets you filter by neighborhood, format, day, and accessibility so you can find something that works for you without a long commute. The local meeting inventory covers a wide range of formats, communities and languages.

The breadth of the city’s AA network reflects decades of peer-support infrastructure across all 77 neighborhoods. This is especially important because an estimated 18.5% of Chicago adults report binge drinking, according to the CDC PLACES program.

Meeting types and specialized groups available in Chicago (as of July 2026):

• Step meetings: 49
• Speaker meetings: 41
• Big Book study groups: 35
• Discussion meetings: 32
• Women’s groups: 31
• Newcomer and beginner groups: 20
• Spanish-language groups: 19
• LGBTQ+-focused groups: 13
• Men’s groups: 8
• Young people’s groups: 8
• Wheelchair-accessible venues: 9
• Secular groups: 4

Your First AA Meeting in Chicago

Attending an AA meeting in Chicago costs nothing. AA charges no dues or fees, and the only requirement for membership, as AA describes it, is a desire to stop drinking. You do not need to make any decision before you walk in the door.

Open meetings welcome anyone curious about AA, including family members and people who are not sure they have a problem with drinking. Closed meetings are intended for people who believe they have an issue with alcohol and are considering or pursuing sobriety.

For a first visit, an open meeting is generally the easier entry point. If you’d prefer a session specifically designed for newcomers, Chicago has more than 20 newcomer- and beginner-focused groups to choose from.

At a typical meeting, a chair opens the session, members may read from AA literature and attendees share their experiences in turn. You are never required to speak or introduce yourself. Most meetings run about an hour.

Our guide to what to expect at your first AA meeting walks through a session from start to finish. If you want to understand the structure of the program before going, the page on the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions covers the framework AA uses.

Chicago’s AA Central Office and 24-Hour Helpline

The Chicago Area Service Office (CASO) is the AA intergroup serving Chicago and Cook County. Founded in 1942, it is one of the oldest AA central offices in the country. It coordinates the citywide meeting directory, staffs a 24-hour phone line and operates a bookstore at its Loop location. For those in need, volunteers answer the helpline around the clock, including evenings and weekends.

CASO’s meeting directory includes more than 15 Spanish-language groups that meet in person across neighborhoods on the West Side, South Side and elsewhere in the city, with additional online options. If you are looking for a Spanish-speaking meeting, the CASO helpline can point you to current times and locations. Contact details for CASO are listed under Resources below.

Sober.com is an independent meeting directory and is not affiliated with AA World Services, CASO, or any local intergroup.

Staying on Track Between Meetings

Many people pair meetings with the free Sober App. It tracks your sober days, what you have saved by not drinking, and milestones worth marking, which can help on the days between meetings.

You can download the Sober App to get started.

If You Need More Help Than a Meeting

AA is a peer support fellowship, not a medical treatment.

For people with heavy daily drinking histories, stopping abruptly without medical support can be physically risky. Our alcohol withdrawal timeline covers what a medical assessment looks for and when professional care matters. For inpatient and outpatient treatment programs across Illinois, the Illinois rehab directory lists options by city and type.

The Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to connect callers with treatment and recovery services for alcohol and other substance use. FindTreatment.gov, a SAMHSA tool, lets you search for licensed treatment providers nationwide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which serves mental health and substance use emergencies.

The Illinois AA meetings page covers the statewide directory if you need meetings outside Chicago.

AA in Chicago: Common Questions

Is AA free in Chicago?

Yes. No Chicago AA meeting charges admission or membership fees. A collection basket is often passed to cover room costs and literature, but contributing is optional and never expected of newcomers. Our guide on whether AA is free explains how the fellowship funds itself.

What is the difference between open and closed AA meetings?

Open meetings welcome anyone, including people who are curious about AA or attending to support someone else. Closed meetings are for people who believe they may have a problem with alcohol. Both types are available across Chicago neighborhoods. For a fuller explanation, see our page on open vs. closed AA meetings.

Are there online AA meetings available from Chicago?

Yes. More than 100 online groups are listed in the directory above, with many meeting daily or multiple times per day. Online meetings use video and phone platforms and are open to anyone regardless of location. Our online AA meetings page covers how they work and what to expect.

Are there Spanish-language AA meetings in Chicago?

Yes. The directory lists more than 15 Spanish-language groups meeting in person across Chicago, with additional online sessions available. The Chicago Area Service Office helpline can help you find a meeting that fits your schedule and neighborhood.

What if I am not sure I have a drinking problem?

Open meetings specifically welcome people who are curious or uncertain. AA’s only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking; you do not need a diagnosis or a firm decision to attend. Many people come to a first meeting simply to hear what other people’s experiences have been.

Resources

• Chicago Area Service Office (CASO). 24-hour helpline: (312) 346-1475. Office: 180 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60601; office phone: (312) 346-1475; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.chicagoaa.org/chicago-area-service-office-caso/
• Illinois Department of Human Services. Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances: 1-833-234-6343; call or text “HELP” to 833234; available 24/7, 365 days a year. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29725
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release (based on 2023 BRFSS data). Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/places
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Find a Treatment Facility. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://findtreatment.gov
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988; available 24/7. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=145089
• Chicago Alcoholics Anonymous (Area 19). History. Accessed July 14, 2026. https://www.chicagoaa.org/history/