Programs and Services

The Clinic has served over 250,000 clients since its inception in 1981, including more than 40,264 in the last fiscal year. These clients are served through accessible neighborhood offices and through programs designed to help those who are least able to find a private attorney. These programs include:

  • Direct Services. The Clinic provides low cost legal services in general areas of law ranging from guardianships of the disabled to landlord/tenant disputes. Last year 4,087 clients received direct services.
  • Pro Bono Program. The Clinic refers indigent clients to volunteers from its panel of over 225 attorneys. Additionally, Clinic attorneys handle a high volume of “in-house” cases on a pro bono basis. Last year 1,388 pro bono cases were handled through this Program.
  • Domestic Violence Program. The Clinic offers a full range of free legal services to victims of domestic violence. Last fiscal year, the Program served 397 victims.
  • Seminar Program. The Clinic provides free educational seminars on legal topics to community groups and also airs a monthly television show on CAN-TV regarding immigration issues. Last fiscal year, the Program provided 98 seminars attended by more than 3,000 people.
  • Environmental Law Program. This Program serves clients confronting urban environmental problems by providing direct legal representation on a pro bono basis, legal education, advocacy and volunteer services. Last year, this Program provided services to 37 clients and groups.
  • Immigration Program. CLC provides direct representation to immigration clients through its Pilsen Office. Pro Bono services are provided to qualifying clients. Last year 1,319 clients received representation.
  • Circuit Rider Program. The Clinic’s Circuit Rider attorneys travel to and provide free legal consultations in impoverished communities whose needs are otherwise unmet by existing legal service providers. Last year 382 clients were served at Circuit Rider sites.
  • Chancery Advice Desk. The Clinic operates an Advice Desk for the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County involving matters such as foreclosures and injunctions. Due to the extreme demand for foreclosure assistance, 9,867 clients were served at the Desk last fiscal year.
  • Legal Advocates for Seniors and People with Disabilities. This initiative helps senior citizens and disabled people on a fixed income stop creditor harassment and eliminate debt without having to resort to a bankruptcy. Last year 383 clients were served.
  • Ex-offender Advocacy Project. The Clinic provides expungement, clemency and sealing services to assist ex-offenders attempting to obtain employment. Last year the Program served 952 clients.
  • Legal Advocates for Consumers in Debt. This is an attorney supervised debt management plan that offers clients a chance to eliminate or greatly reduce their unsecured debts. Last year 296 clients entered the Program.
  • Parentage and Child Support Pro Se Advice Desk. This Advice Desk provided service on 1,667 pro se cases in paternity, child support and related issues during the last year.
  • Municipal Advice Desk Referral Project. The is an initiative whereby the Clinic provides substantive pro bono representation for referrals from the Municipal Advice Desk, primarily for landlord/tenant matters and contract disputes. During last fiscal year, 271 clients received service.  
  • Foreclosure Defense Project. Clinic attorneys screen for defenses in foreclosure matters at 69 W. Washington, operate an information hotline, and provide pro se courtroom assistance on the 28th Floor of the Daley Center.  Last year 19,186 clients were served.
  • SSI Advocacy Project. The is a new initiative whereby the Clinic provides service to clients currently receiving State aid in claims for Supplemental Security Income benefits. This program began in May, 2011 and served 32 clients during its first two months of operation.  

 

 

Other Resources

  • Chicago Bar Foundation. The Chicago Bar Foundation is the charitable affiliate of the Chicago Bar Association. Their central mission is to increase access to justice which is carried out through a comprehensive program that incorporates and leverages the expertise and resources of the Chicago area legal community.
  • Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (LAFMC). LAFMC is the federally funded provider of legal services for the Chicago area. It provides a wide range of free legal services to eligible clients.
  • Dial-Law. Dial-Law is a free public service program sponsored by The Chicago Bar Association and The Chicago Public Library.
  • Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS). A legal assistance hotline dedicated to helping lower income individuals address their legal needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.
  • Illinois Legal Aid Online. User friendly website providing basic legal information on a variety of topics.