Illinois JusticeCorps
Leveraging Volunteers to Improve Access to Justice
Illinois JusticeCorps is an innovative AmeriCorps program that places volunteers in courthouses around Illinois to help people without lawyers navigate the civil justice system. Volunteers are trained and supported to provide legal information and procedural guidance, as well as connect self-represented litigants with legal aid services and self-help resources. The program provides a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the court system, build professional skills, and give back to the community.
In August 2023, Illinois JusticeCorps began a new program year with expanded funding from both AmeriCorps and the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice allowing the program to expand to five additional Circuit Courts. It is now a truly statewide effort with a presence from Rockford to Carbondale and everywhere in between.
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JusticeCorps Stories & UpdatesJusticeCorps History
In 2009 the Illinois JusticeCorps program was founded as a pilot program of the Chicago Bar Foundation located at the Daley Center.
In 2012, the program received AmeriCorps funding, through the Serve Illinois Commission, allowing the initial expansion to Markham and McLean County. Currently, the Illinois Bar Foundation administers the program in partnership with the Chicago Bar Foundation and with additional support from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice. The Illinois JusticeCorps Steering Committee, a subcommittee of the Access to Justice Commission, provides additional oversight and guidance to program staff.
JusticeCorps continues to prove to be a valuable program to help self-represented litigants obtain the assistance they need to address vital civil legal problems and now operates in 12 courthouses representing 11 counties throughout Illinois.
What Is AmeriCorps?
Illinois JusticeCorps Courthouse Locations
Bloomington-Normal
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Law Library, Room 665.
Champaign-Urbana
Directions
JusticeCorps is located at Self-Representation Help Desk, 1st Floor.
Chicago: Daley Center
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Concourse Level, CL-16 at the Resource Center for People without Lawyers.
Edwardsville
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Law Library, Lower Level Room 24.
Galesburg
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the basement level of the courthouse.
Kankakee
Directions
JusticeCorps is located at the Information Desk past security on the ground-level of the courthouse.
Rockford
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Winnebago Law Library & Self-Help Center, 3rd Floor.
Springfield
200 S 9th St, Springfield, IL 62701
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the office outside of courtroom 6B on the 6th floor.
St. Charles
37W777 IL RT 38, St. Charles, IL 60175
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Kane County Law Library & Self-Help Legal Center, 2nd Floor.
Waukegan
8 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Center for Self-Representation & Law Library, 1st Floor.
Woodstock
2200 N Seminary Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098
Directions
JusticeCorps is located in the Clerk's Office on the 1st Floor.
Meet the Illinois JusticeCorps Fellows
Thank You to Our Supporters
Illinois JusticeCorps is funded by AmeriCorps and the Serve Illinois Commission. It would also not be possible without Illinois Bar Foundation’s unique collaboration with The Chicago Bar Foundation, and the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access To Justice. We are incredibly thankful to all supporters of the Illinois Bar Foundation and Illinois JusticeCorps.
