General Finding Aids for Government Information

Catalog of U.S. Government Publications

Find government reports distributed to depository libraries in print and on the Internet by title or keyword.  Coverage begins in 1994; for prior years back to the late 1970s and more search options, try the FirstSearch version of the Catalog (UIUC Subscription)

GPO Access

A portal to government information, especially legislative and regulatory information.

Firstgov

A consumer-oriented portal to government information on the Internet.

Google Uncle Sam

A search engine for government information on the Internet, including state and local information.

Finding Aids for Statistics

LexisNexis Statistical  UIUC Subscription

Limit your search by subject, title, geographic area, demographic characteristics, and economic characteristics.  Searches federal, state, international, and private sources. 

FedStats

Find statistics available on U.S. government web sites, either by topic or by agency.

Statistical Abstract of the U.S. (C3.134)

Use source notes at the bottom of each table to find more detailed statistics.

Finding Aids for Federal Legislation

LexisNexis Congressional UIUC Subscription

1789-present.  Some links to full text for more recent citations.

Thomas

Index available 1973-present.  Full text available 1989-present.

How Our Laws Are Made, Charles W. Johnson

This site by the Parliamentarian of the U.S. House of Representatives explains the process of passing a federal law and the documents generated along the way.

Finding Aids for State Legislation

Illinois General Assembly

Access bills, laws, reports, and other information about the Illinois General Assembly at this site.  Some information available from 1997-present.

Researching Legislative History, Richard D. Edwards

This site from the Illinois General Assembly's Legislative Reference Bureau explains the process of passing a law in Illinois and how to find the intent of the General Assembly in passing a bill. 

Legal Information Institute: Constitutions, Statutes, and Codes

Access the legislative web pages of individual states as well as Uniform Laws as passed by the states and state laws by topic.

National Council of State Legislatures

This nonprofit organization reports on legislation across all 50 states on many topics. 

Help with Finding Government Information

UIUC Government Documents Library Reference Services

Chat with us online (weekdays 1-5), send us an e-mail, give us a call, or stop by the library for help.