Out of the courthouse and into the community
The Freedom Defense Centers provide comprehensive and accessible legal defense, social services, and education through community collaboration. We are a local public defense team working with families and organizations to provide more informed and powerful courtroom advocacy. We fight for justice in collaboration with residents.
Family Defense Office Hours
Thursday, March 26
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison Ave, Chicago, IL
Join the Family Defense Division of the Public Defender's Office for community office hours. Learn about your parental rights, navigate interacting with DCFS, and learn steps to reunify families. Connect with a Public Defender in a safe, welcoming space. No appointment or registration needed. Participants are welcome to join in-person or on Zoom. At 11:00 AM, there will be a presentation by the Children's Best Interest Project. This presentation will cover the importance of keeping families together and provide an overview of Illinois’ law that requires a court to consider the effects of a caregiver’s absence when determining pre-trial custody and sentencing.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, April 1*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Have a question about a civil legal issue? Attorneys from The Village and Legal Community Project will be available to provide brief advice and counsel, limited representation, and full representation on the following civil legal issues: child support, sealing and expungement, Power of Attorney, parenting time, debt collection, landlord and tenant rights, and driver's license reinstatement. Walk-ins are welcome!
*This is a recurring event, held the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Family Defense Office Hours
Tuesday, April 7
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60628
Join the Family Defense Division of the Public Defender's Office for community office hours. Learn about your parental rights, navigate interacting with DCFS, and learn steps to reunify families. Connect with a Public Defender in a safe, welcoming space. No appointment or registration needed. Participants are welcome to join in-person or on Zoom. At 11:00 AM, there will be a presentation by the Children's Best Interest Project. This presentation will cover the importance of keeping families together and provide an overview of Illinois’ law that requires a court to consider the effects of a caregiver’s absence when determining pre-trial custody and sentencing.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, April 15*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Have a question about a civil legal issue? Attorneys from The Village and Legal Community Project will be available to provide brief advice and counsel, limited representation, and full representation on the following civil legal issues: child support, sealing and expungement, Power of Attorney, parenting time, debt collection, landlord and tenant rights, and driver's license reinstatement. Walk-ins are welcome!
*This is a recurring event, held the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Law Day / May Day Community Resource Fair
Friday, May 1
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Join us at the Freedom Defense Center of Austin for a resource fair on National Law Day. Together with partner organizations. We will provide free legal resources and services. Please RSVP by emailing fdca@cookountyil.gov or by calling 312-738-7399.
Mission: The Freedom Defense Centers provide comprehensive and accessible legal defense, social services, and education through community collaboration.
Vision: The Freedom Defense Centers foster accountability and trust between the Public Defender’s Office and the communities they serve. The Freedom Defense Centers are rooted in partnership, standing with the community to reduce the impact of the carceral system and fight for justice. They work to change the narrative around harm and safety by honoring community members’ experiences and prioritizing their autonomy.
Values: The Freedom Defense Centers provide services aligned with our values:
- Collaboration: Working alongside the community, we develop deeper relationships with clients and expand their access to critical local services.
- Transparency: Robust, consistent, and honest communication with clients and community is the foundation for accountability, inspiring trust in representation.
- Courage: The wisdom of our ancestors guides us as we work courageously to innovate on the services, we offer clients and community, stand steadfast against the harms of the carceral system, and fight for justice and equity.
The Freedom Defense Centers came together through a process of community-centered planning. The Public Defender’s Office, community members, and partners formed two planning circles to develop the mission, location, and direction of the centers. Our planning process included an Outside Planning Circle, made up of community members in the neighborhoods where the defense centers are located – Austin and Roseland. The Inside Planning Circle was made up of people incarcerated at the Cook County jail. Together we have brought the vision for these defense centers to life. The process was inclusive, intentional, and collaborative. We are extremely grateful to everyone who joined us in this effort.
Visits to the Freedom Defense Centers are by appointment only. You can make an appointment, or other inquiry, by calling us or emailing us.
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm
Call (312) 738-7374
Email FDCR@cookcountyil.gov.
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation
5500 W Madison, Chicago, IL
Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm
Call 312-738-7399
Email fdca@cookcountyil.gov.
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