News Tag: Legal Aid Funding
October 9, 2018
The Illinois State Government’s Conduit for Access to Justice
“Equal justice is a basic right that is fundamental to democracy in this State, and the integrity of this State and this State’s justice system depends on protecting and enforcing the rights of all people.”
That is the opening paragraph for the Illinois Equal Justice Act, which the Illinois General Assembly passed in 1999 with broad […]
Tags: Advocacy | CBF 70th Anniversary | Legal Aid Funding read more ...September 21, 2018
A Match Made in Justice: Cy Pres Awards and Legal Aid
In class action cases (and occasionally in other types of proceedings like bankruptcy and probate matters), it is fairly common that some of the funds ordered to be paid to the class cannot be distributed to all of the class members or go unclaimed. What to do then?
Over the years, cy pres or residual fund […]
Tags: Advocacy | Cy Pres | Legal Aid Funding read more ...September 20, 2018
Legal Aid Yields a Strong Return on Investment
A well-funded legal aid system helps to ensure that our justice system is fair and efficient for all, regardless of income. Like us, you’re probably thinking that’s all the reason anyone would need. But then there’s the icing on the cake. Studies from more than 25 states, including Illinois, have repeatedly shown that it is […]
Tags: CBF 70th Anniversary | Legal Aid | Legal Aid Funding | Resources read more ...September 11, 2018
How a Gift to the CBF Becomes a Grant with Exponential Impact
Grants to support pro bono and legal aid organizations have been a central part of the CBF’s work since its inception. Last year, the CBF awarded over $2 million in grants, investing in the entire pro bono and legal aid system in our community. A lot goes into determining how the CBF allocates these grant […]
Tags: CBF 70th Anniversary | Grants | Legal Aid Funding | Legal Aid Organizations read more ...August 10, 2018
CBF Grants: A Legacy of Impact
In the 70 years since its founding, the CBF has given out nearly $50 million in grants to support pro bono, legal aid and related initiatives, and more than $42 million since 1999.
Over that time, the CBF has honed its grantmaking focus around access to justice and expanded its grantmaking partnerships with other foundations, the courts, and government entities. More than 5,200 individual donors, more than 200 law firms, corporations and other law-related organizations, and the CBF’s many dedicated partners have enabled the CBF to increase our annual grants more than tenfold over the past 20 years. Today, the CBF awards over $2 million in grants, investing in the entire pro bono and legal aid system in our community.
Tags: CBF 70th Anniversary | Grants | Legal Aid Funding | Legal Aid Organizations read more ...July 25, 2017
Take Action: Support LSC Funding
As the FY18 federal budget process continues, the relevant Senate Subcommittee has approved level funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) at $385 million. We encourage you to thank Senators Durbin and Duckworth for their strong support and to advocate with your Representative in the House to continue to support full funding for LSC.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding | LSC | Take Action read more ...June 23, 2017
New LSC Study on the Justice Gap
The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) released a comprehensive new study last week that shows the number of low-income Americans in need of legal help far exceeds the legal aid services available to help them. We encourage you to continue reaching out to Senators Durbin and Duckworth and your member of Congress to thank them for their continued support of strong funding for LSC.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid | Legal Aid Funding | LSC read more ...May 19, 2017
CBF Joins Colleagues from Throughout the Country to Advocate for Access to Justice
The CBF once again co-anchored the Illinois team at the annual ABA Day in Washington last month. Working with our colleagues at the CBA, ISBA and ABA and a number of dedicated volunteers, our Illinois team once again met with the entire Illinois Congressional delegation.
Tags: ABA | Above and Beyond Volunteers | Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding | LSC read more ...May 18, 2017
Take Action: Support LSC Funding
As the FY18 federal budget process begins, we encourage you to reach out to your Senators and member of Congress and thank them for their continued support for the Legal Services Corporation, encouraging them to oppose any attempts to reduce or eliminate funding for LSC and instead support a much-needed increase in this funding.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding | LSC read more ...March 30, 2017
CBF Advocates in Springfield
The CBF traveled to Springfield the past two weeks to advocate for our two main state legislative priorities this year and to support the effort to restore state funding for the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation. We are happy to report that both legislative initiatives—a law simplifying the language governing evictions as well as a law to reform the system of court fees and fines—were voted out of their respective committees and are moving through the legislative process.
Tags: Advocacy | Legal Aid Funding read more ...