Finding Legal Aid in Cook County
- Donna Alberts Peel
- Jun 30, 2016
- 3 min read
Last week, PBN presented to local nonprofits the how-tos on finding legal aid for their clients or themselves. With numerous agencies in Cook County, it can be tough to navigate. Blowing the punchline we are lucky to have two innovative and amazing resources to help: CARPLS and Illinois Legal Aid Online. Thank you to the Community Bank of Oak Park River Forest for generously hosting this needed event and Chicago Bar Foundation for sharing its resources with us.
For Organization Assistance
The Law Project
The Law Project provides free legal services to eligible nonprofit organizations that are working to improve low income communities. Submit an application if your organization needs assistance for: (1) Real Estate – commercial leases, renting, purchasing, and selling; (2) Personnel – personnel policies, advice on hiring and terminating employees, and employment contracts; (3) Contracts – negotiation and contract preparation; (4) Corporate Structure – subsidiaries, bylaws review and revision; (5) Board of Directors – roles and responsibilities, training; (6) Taxes – liability, income tax exemption, revenue generating activities, real estate or sales tax exemptions; and (7) Annual Reporting Requirements. The organization also offers other services for nonprofit management. www.thelawproject.org
The following is directly from the Chicago Bar Foundation's publicaiton, "Finding Free or Low-Cost Legal Help":
FREE HELP
CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline
312-738-9200
CARPLS attorneys give legal advice and other help, and if a pro bono or legal aid attorney might be able to take your case CARPLS attorneys will tell you where to call.
-CARPLS helps low and middle income people.
-The CARPLS hotline is very busy. If you get a busy signal, call back at another time, but keep trying. When connected, you may be placed on hold for up to 20 minutes. Follow the instructions and if you are asked to leave a message, someone will call you back.
-For $25, you can avoid waiting and set a time for an attorney to call you. You need a credit crd and access to the internet. Visit www.carpls.org to make the appointment.
Illinois Legal Aid Website
ayudalegalil.org (Spanish)
Illinois Legal Aid is a free website that gives you information about your legal problems, rights, and responsibilities.
-You may be able to apply for more legal help online.
-Find instructions for representing yourself and use form preparataion programs to complete and print your court forms.
-The website is accessible to everybody, 24/7, no matter how much money you make.
Cook County Legal Help Tool Kit
More information and help you can find here:
-A mediator might be ablel to help you and the other party think about ways to end your conflict.
-Learn more about other kinds of legal help that might be available.
-Videos and guides for going to court on your own.
Low-Cost Help
If you need to hire a lawyer, you should know that there are good lawyers who charge reasonable fees. They may be handle just part of your case or coach you on handling your case to make it more affordable.
The Justice Entrepreneurs Project
-Lawyers in the Justice Entrepreneurs Projects (JEP) provide lower cost, quality legal services that often include fixed fees and flexible representation options (like unbundled, a la carte services).
-Many JEP lawyers have fee estimates on their websites, so you can find out what it might cost.
-Find more information or contact an attorney at jepchicago.org or 312-546-3292.
The Chicago Legal Clinic
-The Chicago Legal Clinic charges clients fees depending on their income. Visit www.clclaw.org or call 773-731-1762.
The Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
-The Lawyer Referral Services connects people to experienced attorneys who charge fees for their time and services.
-Find more information or connect with the service at www.chicagobar.org or 312-554-2001.
Other
PBN has also referred clients to the following organizations:
Catholic Charities Legal Assistance
Catholic Charities Legal Assistance (CCLA) provides services that cover telephone advice/referral, client education and client representation.
-they only answer inquiries through their advice line at 312-928-6821.
-they have a higher income threshold than other agencies
those in need to Catholic Charities (higher income threshold), as well as Civic Legal Corp (sliding scale).
-more information about their services may be found HERE.
Civic Legal Corps
Civic Legal Corps is a nonprofit law firm in Chicago. Eligibility for services and rates charged are based on household size and income.
-they help with family law, housing law, and contract disputes.
-Intake line i 872-216-9695
-email atty@civiclegalcorps.org
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