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Bar associations are professional groups for attorneys. Bar associations view helping the public as an important part of their mission. The largest bar association in Illinois is the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). Each member of the ISBA may also belong to one of the 11 local bar associations. These associations serve their members by providing continuing legal education and a forum for discussing concerns of the legal profession. They also serve the public, providing lawyer referrals, informational booklets and pamphlets, telephone information services, and a variety of public education programs. Most of these services are available at little or no cost.
Members of the public should consider taking advantage of bar association services when they are seeking general information. Although they cannot provide legal advice, bar associations can help people decide whether to pursue a case, what actions to take, and what type of lawyer to contact. A list of bar associations and bar association referral services appear later in this appendix.
The following pamphlets were prepared and published by the Illinois State Bar Association as a public service. Their purpose is to inform citizens of their legal rights and obligations. Consult your lawyer if you have questions about application of the law in a particular case.
Single copies of each of the pamphlets are free to individuals. Spanish language translations are also available. For information on obtaining quantity copies, write or call the ISBA at the following:
Illinois State Bar Association
424 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 525-1760
Fax: (217) 525-0712
Adoption
Advice to Newly Marrieds
Auto Accidents
Bankruptcy for Individuals
Buying a Home
Buying on Time
Careers in the Law
Domestic Relations
Estate Planning
General Practitioner
How a Lawyer Computes Fees
Illinois Lawyer Referral Service
Know Your Lawyer
Landlord-Tenant
Q & A About Prepaid legal Services
Starting a Business
Your Rights if Arrested
Attorney General Jim Ryan serves the citizens of Illinois as the State's chief law officer and top legal official. Charged with these responsibilities, the Attorney General directs a broad range of services dedicated to protecting and assisting the State and its citizens.
As Illinois' chief law enforcement official, Attorney General Jim Ryan leads the statewide fight against crime and violence. He assists local State's Attorneys in the prosecution of major crimes, and heads the Statewide Grand Jury, which indicts and convicts drug dealers and gun runners whose operations cross county lines.
As Illinois' top legal official, Attorney General Jim Ryan prosecutes perpetrators of consumer fraud, enforces environmental laws and regulations, and advocates on behalf of the state's citizens whose interests might otherwise go unheard.
Key Divisions in the Office of the Attorney General and Their Missions
The Office of the Attorney General provides services that cover a broad range of issues, reaching every corner of Illinois.
The Criminal Justice Division helps local State's Attorney's prosecute death penalty cases and other major crimes.
To help put sophisticated criminal operations out of business, the Statewide Grand Jury is charged with prosecuting multi-county drug trafficking and gun running cases.
The Victim Compensation/Grants Bureau takes court costs imposed on convicted defendants and uses the money to help fight crime. The bureau distributes millions of dollars each year in grants to local crime-fighting organizations. The Bureau's Victim Compensation Program provides financial help directly to crime victims.
The Consumer Protection Division protects consumers and small businesses who have been victimized by fraud, deception or unfair competition. The Attorney General is a leader in fighting the emerging menace of telecommunications fraud. A network of regional offices throughout Illinois gives citizens immediate access to these services.
The Environmental Enforcement Division protects the health, safety and welfare of citizens through prosecution of environmental laws and regulations.
To serve those whose voices might not otherwise be heard, the Legal Advocacy Division provides information and referral services for seniors, veterans, women and children, disabled citizens, and agricultural advocacy groups.
The Public Interest Division protects Illinois citizens in cases involving civil rights, nursing homes, public utilities, charities, and antitrust violations.
The Attorney General is the lawyer for state government. The Appeals/Opinions and Government Representation Divisions act as the attorney for state agencies and officers.
Office of Attorney General
500 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: (217) 782-1090
Fax: (217) 782-7046
TDD: (217) 785-2771
Office of Attorney General
100 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 814-3000
TDD: (312) 814-3374
Fax: (312) 814-2549
Office of Attorney General
1001 East Main
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: (618) 457-3505
TDD: (618) 457-5509
Toll-Free Numbers:
Consumer: (800) 252-8666
Senior Citizens: (800) 252-2518
Veterans: (800) 382-3000
As lawyers have grown increasingly concerned about their public image, they have also expanded their efforts to reach out to the public and provide helpful services to consumers. Free information, referrals, and a variety of educational programs are only a telephone call away. Consumers seeking information would be wise to make that call as one of their first steps in pursuing a legal matter.
Bar Associations
American Bar Association
750 North Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 988-5000
Fax: (312) 988-6281
Provides information and telephone numbers of referral services.
Chicago Bar Association
321 South Plymouth Court
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 554-2000
Fax: (312) 554-2054
Provides free informational pamphlets, maintains referral service, administers the free Call-A-Lawyer public information program and senior citizen will program.
Cook County Bar Association/Community Law Project
188 West Randolph Street, #720
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 630-9363
Fax: (312) 630-0983
Maintains a referral service. Administers Community Law Project, which provides free legal clinics to low-income persons for legal advice, representation and referral.
Illinois State Bar Association
Illinois Bar Center
424 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 525-1760
Fax: (217) 525-0712
Provides free informational pamphlets, maintains a referral service.
See also Specialized Legal Services (below) for referral services on special legal needs.
Chicago Bar Association
321 South Plymouth Court
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 554-2001
Fax: (312) 554-2054
Available to residents in Cook and DuPage Counties; $20 fee for referral to private attorneys. Spanish-speaking intake staff; referral to non-English speaking attorneys available.
Cook County Bar Association
188 West Randolph Street, #720
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 630-1157
Fax: (312) 630-0983
Free referrals to private attorneys.
DuPage County Bar Association
126 South County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (708) 653-7779
Fax: (708) 653-7870
Illinois State Bar Association/Lawyer Referral Service
Illinois Bar Center
424 South Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: (217) 525-5297
No referrals made to lawyers in Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, Winnebago, Peoria, and Kane Counties. Referrals to private attorneys; $15 for first half-hour consultation.
Kane County Bar Association
127 South Second Street
P.O. Box 571
Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (708) 232-6416
Fax: (708) 232-7978
North Suburban Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Buffalo Grove
Phone: (708) 564-4800
Referrals to private attorneys; $15 referral fee.
Northwest Suburban Bar Association
515 East Golf Road, #100-101
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: (708) 290-8070
Fax: (708) 290-8073
Referrals to private attorneys; $20 fee for initial half-hour consultation.
Peoria County Bar Association
1618 First Financial Plaza
Peoria, IL 61602
Phone: (309) 674-1224
Will County Bar Association
63 East Jefferson Street, #202
Joliet, IL 60432
Voice and Fax: (815) 726-0383
Winnebago County Bar Association
321 West State Street, #300
Rockford, IL 61101
Phone: (815) 964-5152
Fax: (815) 964-9091
Women's Bar Association of Illinois
825 Greenbay Road Suite 270
Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone: (312) 341-8530
Referrals to private attorneys; $25 fee for initial half-hour consultation.
Public Defenders Office
Cook County
200 West Adams, Ninth floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 609-2040
Fax: (312) 609-8917
Public Defender
McLean County
104 West Front Street, #603
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5235
Fax: (309) 888-5765
Public Defenders Office
Kane County
37 West 777, Route 38, #200
St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: (708) 232-5835
Fax: (708) 208-2192
Public Defenders Office
Lee County Courthouse
P.O. Box 521
Dixon, IL 61021
Phone: (815) 284-5239
Public Defenders Office
Williamson County Courthouse
Marion, IL 62959
Phone: (618) 997-1301
Fax: (618) 997-8450
Note: Many of the organizations listed under other sub-headings also provide free or low-cost legal services.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
203 North LaSalle Street, #1405
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 201-9740
Fax: (312) 201-9760
Provides free legal representation in civil rights and civil liberties cases that present significant issues or affect a large number of people.
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation
2420 Bloomer Drive
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: (618) 462-0036
Fax: (618) 462-0043
Provides free legal counseling and representation in civil cases for low-income persons in most regions of Illinois.
Farmers Legal Action Group
46 East Fourth Street, #1301
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (612) 223-5333
Fax: (612) 223-5335
Toll-Free: (800) 233-4534
Provides nationwide legal information and services concerning agriculture and farming.
Illinois American Agricultural Movement
12352 East 2100 Road North
Danville, IL 61834
Works to preserve the family farm.
Farm Law Institute
P.O. Box 196
Carlinville, IL 62626
AIDS Legal Council of Chicago
220 South State Street, #1330
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 427-8990
Fax: (312) 427-8419
Provides legal consultation and representation on HIV-related legal matters to persons in Cook County affected by AIDS/HIV.
Chicago Bar Association Legal Clinic for the Disabled, Inc.
448 East Ontario Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 908-4463
Fax: (312) 908-0866
Provides free legal services in civil matters, especially disability matters, to low-income persons with disabilities.
Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago
Disability Law Project
343 South Dearborn Street, #700
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 341-1070
Fax: (312) 341-1041
Provides legal counseling and representation in civil cases to low-income mentally and physically disabled persons in Chicago.
The Council for Disability Rights
176 West Adams Street, #1830
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312) 444-9484
Fax: (312) 444-1977
Provides legal counseling and representation to persons with disabilities.
Horizons Community Legal Services
961 West Montana Street
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (312) 929-4357
Provides free legal consultation and referrals to attorneys.
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association
P.O. Box 06498
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 404-9574
Free referrals to gay or lesbian attorneys.
Chicago Legal Aid to Incarcerated Mothers (CLAIM)
205 West Randolph Street, #830
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 332-5537
Fax: (312) 332-2570
Provides legal services in family law matters to imprisoned or formerly imprisoned mothers.
Institute of Women Today
7315 South Yale Avenue
Chicago, IL 60621
Phone: (312) 651-8372
Provides legal services to women incarcerated in the Illinois prison system.
Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago
Correctional Law Project
343 South Dearborn Street, #700
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 341-1070
Fax: (312) 341-1041
Provides legal services to low-income persons confined in the Cook County Jail or the Illinois prison system.
Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago
Illinois Migrant Legal Assistance Project
343 South Dearborn Street, #700
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 341-1070
Fax: (312) 341-1041
Provides legal counseling and representation to migrant workers in civil cases.
U.S. Department of Labor
Wage-Hour Division
230 South Dearborn Street, #412
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 353-8145
Enforces the Migrant Safety and Protection Act.
Chinese Americans Service League
310 West 24th Place
Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 791-0418
Fax: (312) 791-0509
Latin American Bar Association
P.O. Box A-3823
Chicago, IL 60690
Phone: (312) 845-1665
Free referrals to private English/Spanish speaking attorneys.
Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
542 South Dearborn Street, #750
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 427-9363
Fax: (312) 427-9393
Initiates class action suits involving civil rights violations that affect the Hispanic community.
Mujeres Latinas En Accion
1823 West 17th Street
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (312) 226-1544
Provides referrals to attorneys and legal services.
Illinois Women's Agenda
Six North Michigan Avenue, #1313
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 704-1833
Advocates and protects women's rights in Illinois.
Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago
Women's Law Project
343 South Dearborn Street, #700
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 341-1070
Fax: (312) 341-1041
Provides legal services in civil cases having the potential to affect a large number of poor women.
General legal resources for persons who fall within specific income guidelines or meet other requirements.
Zone 1: Cook and Lake Counties
American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois
203 North LaSalle, #1405
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 201-9740
Fax: (312) 201-9760
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation
100 North LaSalle Street, #90
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 332-1624
Fax: (312) 332-1460
Provides free legal consultation and representation to low-income persons on civil matters only.
University of Chicago, Legal Aid Office
6020 South University Avenue
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: (312) 702-9611
Fax: (312) 702-2063
Life Span
P.O. Box 445
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Phone: (312) 824-0382
Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation Incorporated
1146 Westgate, #200
Oak Park, IL 60301-1055
Phone: (708) 524-2600
Fax: (708) 524-2643
Zone 2: McHenry, Kane, DuPage, and Will Counties
Will County Legal Assistance Program, Incorporated
16 West Van Buren, #204
Joliet, IL 60431
Phone: (815) 727-5123
Fax: (815) 727-5152
Legal Aid Center of the DuPage County Bar
126 South County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (708) 653-6212
Fax: (708) 653-6317
Prairie State Legal Services, Incorporated
975 North Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103-7064
Phone: (815) 965-2134
Fax: (815) 965-1081
Student Legal Services
Northern Illinois University
Student Center, Lower Level
Dekalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-1701
Fax: (815) 753-1871
West Central Illinois Legal Assistance
1614 East Knox Street
P.O. Box 1232
Galesburg, IL 61402-1232
Phone: (309) 343-2141
Fax: (309) 343-7647
Legal Services Support Center of Illinois
516 East Monroe, #400
Springfield, IL 62701-1451
Phone: (217) 544-0006
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Incorporated
730 East Vine Street, #214
P.O. Box 2206
Springfield, IL 62705-2206
Phone: (217) 753-3300
Fax: (217) 753-8291
University of Illinois
Student Legal Services
Illini Union, Room 324
1401 West Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 333-9053
Phone: (217) 333-0474
Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Incorporated
2420 Bloomer Drive
Alton, IL 62002
Phone: (618) 462-0036
Fax: (618) 462-0043
Clinical Program
Southern Illinois University, School of Law
104 Lesar Law Building
Carbondale, IL 62901-6821
Phone: (618) 536-4423
Phone: (618) 453-8727
Southern Illinois University
Student Legal Services
Box 1023
Edwardsville, IL 62026-1023
Phone: (618) 692-3355
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