Statewide & Local Resources

Navigating the court system can feel overwhelming, especially if you do not have a lawyer. Fortunately, there are free, trusted resources available statewide to help Illinois residents understand their legal options, complete court forms, and take next steps with confidence. The resources below are designed to support people representing themselves and to make the court process more accessible.

 

What JusticeCorps Does

JusticeCorps volunteers work directly in courthouses to assist self-represented litigants in civil cases, including family law, eviction, small claims, and other high-volume case types.

 

JusticeCorps members help by:

  • Explaining court procedures and what to expect
  • Helping people locate and complete court forms
  • Assisting with e-filing and document organization
  • Providing referrals to legal aid and other community resources
  • Supporting court staff and legal help programs

Important note: JusticeCorps volunteers provide legal information, not legal advice, and do not represent court users.

 

Who We Serve

  • Individuals navigating the court system without an attorney
  • Courts seeking to improve access, efficiency, and user experience
  • Communities across Illinois, including rural and underserved areas

JusticeCorps helps ensure that court users understand next steps, feel less overwhelmed, and are better prepared to participate in their cases.

 

JusticeCorps Locations

Illinois JusticeCorps serves multiple courthouses across the state. Each location includes trained volunteers supported by a JusticeCorps Fellow and local court partners.

 

Find free legal help, local resources and referrals to social services in these county-based prescription pads:

Champaign Cook Kane
Kankakee Knox Lake
Madison McHenry McLean
Peoria Sangamon Will
Winnebago

 

Illinois Legal Aid Online

Illinois Legal Aid Online provides free, reliable legal information to help people in Illinois understand and navigate common legal issues. The website offers plain-language explanations of the law, step-by-step guidance, self-help tools, and fillable court forms for areas such as family law, housing, money and debt, expungement, and more. Court users can also find referrals to legal aid organizations and other trusted resources to help them take the next step in their case.

 

Illinois Court Help

Illinois Court Help is a free service provided by the Illinois Courts to assist people who are representing themselves in civil cases. Court users can receive procedural guidance on court processes, help understanding court forms and deadlines, and answers to general questions about moving a case forward. Assistance is available by phone, email, and online chat, and staff can connect users to local court resources and legal aid when additional support is needed.

 

Together, Illinois Legal Aid Online and Illinois Court Help provide essential information and guidance to help court users understand the legal process and prepare for their cases. Illinois JusticeCorps works alongside these resources by offering in-person and direct support at courthouses and legal help programs across the state. JusticeCorps Fellows help court users access these tools, complete intake, and find the right information or referrals—ensuring the public knows they are not alone and that help is available at every step of the process.