New Chatbot Offers 24/7 Information and Referrals for Pandemic Related Legal Issues

(Image from CARPLS)

COVID Housing and Economic Loss Prevention (COVID HELP) is a new online navigation tool designed to guide Illinois residents to up-to-date information and referrals for common COVID-related legal issues including housing, debt, unemployment, bankruptcy, and guardianship issues. Through the website, users can connect 24/7 with a team of chatbots designed and created by legal aid experts to provide answers to common questions and automated referrals for more complex legal issues. COVID HELP is a statewide tool, available for free to the many Illinois residents struggling to understand their rights and options during the ever-changing landscape of the pandemic.

This project is a collaboration between the CBF, the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing, CARPLS, Illinois Legal Aid Online, the Westside Justice Center, and the many other legal aid organizations providing free legal services in Illinois. Visit COVID HELP at covidhelpillinois.org or read more in the Chicago Tribune here.

Gigi, a virtual assistant “chatbot”, starts the conversation.