As AmeriCorps funding ends abruptly, vulnerable Illinoisans—and the future of access to justice—stand to lose the most.
For over a decade, Illinois JusticeCorps has stood at the front lines of courthouse service—helping thousands of people without lawyers navigate the complexities of the civil legal system. Its AmeriCorps members—bright, civic-minded individuals often preparing for legal careers—have served in courthouses across Illinois, offering guidance, clarity, and compassion to people who would otherwise
be lost in the legal maze.
With the sudden termination of AmeriCorps funding, that vital bridge to justice has been severely disrupted.
“The termination of the AmeriCorps program is a significant loss not only for students aspiring to pursue careers in law but also for the broader community,” one program participant shared. “Its absence leaves a gap that will undoubtedly disrupt the lives of those who relied on this essential resource.”
Illinois JusticeCorps members play a unique and indispensable role in local courthouses. These members aren’t just interns. They’re trained, dedicated public servants who help real people—daily—with urgent and life-altering legal matters. They assist with time-sensitive, high-stakes legal matters—from orders of protection, eviction relief, and motions to vacate, to helping elderly community members, individuals facing language barriers, and working families understand and complete complicated court forms.
“Without my help, many of these people would be unable to file their cases and get justice,” a participant explained. “The legal process is complicated, time-consuming, and stressful—making it inaccessible to many of the people who need it the most.”
Unlike court clerks and judges, who are limited in the amount of time they can allocate to the public, JusticeCorps members can take the time to guide people step-by-step. Their presence lightens the load for court staff, reduces delays, and improves outcomes for everyone involved—plaintiffs, sheriffs, attorneys, and especially the public.
“This is an essential service we provide—and the program disappearing doesn’t mean the people we help disappear too.”
The termination not only disrupts access to justice for the public—it also impacts the lives of those who stepped up to serve. Many relocated across Illinois and even across the country to commit a year of national service, counting on their AmeriCorps education award to help with future law school debt. The decision to halt the program mid-year—despite funds already being allocated—felt like a betrayal to many who had chosen to serve their communities.
“To perform such an abrupt stop in the middle of our service year is incredibly disrespectful to the individuals who have done nothing but serve the country,”
“AmeriCorps allows you to help so many people that desperately need it,” said another. “The program termination has put my education award in jeopardy. I moved for this job—I cannot stay here without it.”
The Illinois JusticeCorps program has proven to be a smart, cost-effective way to make the civil court system more accessible, humane, and responsive. The ripple effects of its loss will be felt in courts across the state, in the lives of those seeking justice, and in the futures of those who served to make it possible.
The Illinois Bar Foundation has long supported this work. Today, we are asking you to help us continue it. The people we served still come to court, still need help, and still deserve justice. This moment is not just a funding crisis—it’s a test of our commitment to equal access to justice.
What You Can Do:
● Share this story with your networks—especially legal professionals, alumni, and civic leaders.
● Advocate with policymakers and funders to support future programming that prioritizes access to justice.
Justice doesn’t disappear because a grant ends. And neither should our commitment.
