Court Access Library Centers
Innovative Partnership with Public Libraries to Increase Court Access
Recognizing libraries as important community hubs for information and assistance, new Court Access Library Centers will provide new resources to help people access the court system and related resources in their own communities throughout the state. With the leadership of Judge Jill Marisie and a dedicated Steering Committee (see full list below), this innovative partnership between the Illinois Secretary of State, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, and the CBF builds on the many great benefits that libraries already provide to make it possible for people without lawyers to get help navigating the legal system from a trusted resource in their own communities. The participating public libraries in this program offer space and dedicated equipment for residents without lawyers to appear in court remotely, obtain legal information and resources, and e-file and access court documents online with the assistance of local librarians who will have access to new training and support. Learn more below. Additionally, you can view a handout about the program here.
Partner Organizations
Steering Committee
Chair
Hon. Jill Cerrone-Marisie
Circuit Court of Cook County
Hon. Maryam Ahmad
Circuit Court of Cook County
Scott Britton
Cook County Commissioner
Dennericka Brooks
Legal Aid Chicago
Maggie Clemons
Chicago Public Library
Jennifer Crespo
State of Illinois Torture & Inquiry Relief Commission
Halle Eichert
Kane County Law Library Self Help Center
Clarissa Gaff
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid
Hon. Toya Harvey
Circuit Court of Cook County
Ryan Johnson
President, Illinois Library Association
Hon. Jorge Ortiz
19th Judicial Circuit, Lake County/Chair, Commission on Access to Justice
Hon. David Overstreet
Illinois Supreme Court/Commission on Access to Justice
Katherine M. Keefe
McHenry County Clerk of the Circuit Court
Susan W. McGrath
Champaign County Circuit Clerk
Jamie Paicely
Flossmoor Public Library
Teri Ross
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Brenda Sprague
Office of the Chief Judge
Wendy Vaughn
NIU College of Law/Commission on Access to Justice
Stacey Weiler
Illinois Bar Foundation
Candace Williams
CCLAHD Outreach Consultant
Participating Libraries
Chicago Public Library (Cook County)
Glenview Public Library (Cook County)
Indian Trails Public Library District (Cook County)
Northlake Public Library District (Cook County)
Prairie Trails Public Library District (Cook County)
Calumet City Public Library (Cook County)
Aurora Public Library – Santori Library (Kane County)
Gail Borden Public Library (Kane County)
St. Charles Public Library District (Kane County)
Addison Public Library (DuPage County)
Glenside Public Library District (DuPage County)
Villa Park Public Library (DuPage County)
Fox Lake Public Library District (Lake County)
Wauconda Area Public Library District (Lake County)
Freeport Public Library (Stephenson County)
McHenry Public Library District (McHenry County)
Rantoul Public Library (Champaign County)
Carbondale Public Library (Jackson County)
