Legal Resources For The Public
Free Legal Services
Affordable Legal Services
Free Legal Services
There are many legal aid and pro bono organizations that can help people in Chicago or suburban Cook County with their legal problems. Here are some good places to look for help:
If you have a legal problem related to eviction or unpaid debt, you can contact Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt at cookcountylegalaid.org or 855.956.5763.
If you have a legal problem that is NOT related to eviction or unpaid debt, you can call CARPLS Legal Aid at 312.738.9200.
If you have a question about going to court, you can call the Illinois JusticeCorps Court Information Helpline at 872.529.1093. Helpline volunteers cannot give legal advice, but they can provide information about going to court, virtual court appearances, court forms, fee waivers, electronic filing (e-filing), and other resources.
To learn more about legal problems and to find court forms, you can visit IllinoisLegalAid.org. The website is free and available 24/7 with information on over 30 areas of law and automated tools that can help you complete court forms.
Affordable Legal Services
If you need to hire a lawyer, you should know that there are good lawyers who charge reasonable fees. They may be able to 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 Project (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 may cost to hire a lawyer.
Find more information or contact a lawyer at jepchicago.org or 312.546.3282
The Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service:
The Lawyer Referral Services connects people to experienced lawyers who charge fees for their time and services. Find more information or connect with the service at chicagobar.org or 312.554.2001.
