The Chicago Bar Foundation recently led the successful effort to develop and pass a new Act, 735 ILCS 5/2-807, that ensures that, to the extent practicable, residual funds in class action cases in the Illinois courts are distributed to pro bono and legal aid organizations that improve access to justice for less fortunate residents of Illinois.

Residual funds in class actions are a perfect match for this purpose, as one underlying premise for all class actions is to make access to justice a reality for Illinois residents who otherwise would not be able to obtain the protections of our justice system. Examples of some of the innovations that have been recently funded through residual fund distributions include: a groundbreaking fellowship program to assist legal aid lawyers with repayment of their educational loans, user-friendly on-line and print resources on consumer law issues, seed money for court-based help desks that provide advice and limited legal assistance to unrepresented litigants and a pro bono program assisting low-income Illinoisans confront mortgage fraud and other consumer fraud.

For more information about this residual funds law, please click here .

For more information on The Chicago Bar Foundation’s work in residual funds in class actions, please contact Bob Glaves at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 312-554-1205.

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