Free And Low-Cost Legal Assistance Resources

Cook County Public Defender's Office
(844) 817-4448
24 hours a day / 7 days a week / 365 days a year

For more information click here.

Type of Legal Assistance

Free legal representation to anyone who is arrested and detained by law enforcement in Chicago and elsewhere in Cook County.  Arrestees and/or their family and friends can make a toll-free call to 844-817-4448, and an attorney will be dispatched to the police station to assist the individual in asserting his or her rights.     

To Request Legal Assistance

• Call: 844 817-4448

Eligibility Requirements

• Arrestees or their family members should make initial call requesting representation.

115 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60654
(312) 640-2100 voice
(312) 640-2102 TTY
Intake: (312) 640-2106
www.accessliving.org                             

Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Disability Discrimination – Denied Access To:

• Housing
• Government services, programs, and activities, including access to public education
• Businesses that are open to the public

To Request Legal Assistance

Call: (312) 640-2121
Email: CivilRightsIntake@accessliving.org

Eligibility Requirements

Must be an individual with a disability

Tips

Access Living also provides housing services, home and community based services and youth programming

Emergency Services
Domestic Violence Courthouse
555 W. Harrison St., Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 325-9155

Extended Services
17 N. State St., Suite 1390
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 971-5932
www.ascendjustice.org  

Type of Legal Assistance

Family, Child Welfare, Immigration, Housing and Employment, Crime Victim Compensation Applications and Other Economic Justice Issues

Additional Information – Child Welfare:

Ascend Justice assists parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with children with legal services related to:

• Ongoing DCFS investigations for child abuse or neglect, including safety plans and intact services
• Administrative expungement appeals of DCFS indicated findings
• Civil rights cases on a case-by-case basis.

To Request Legal Assistance

Call: (312) 971-5932

Online Forms

• Extended Legal Services General Intake Form
• Apply for Services
• Order of Protection Division Intake

Email completed forms to intake@ascendjustice.org

Tips

• Extended Services are by appointment only
• Individuals can receive same-day service for Orders of Protection
• Walk-in, no appointment necessary.
  • 8:30 a.m. on weekdays at 555 West Harrison

Beyond Legal Aid and its grassroots partners operate 11 community law offices offering a full range of legal services and activism support.

Visit https://www.beyondlegalaid.org/about

Type of Legal Assistance

Legal services are provided in clinic settings at various community law offices.

To Request Legal Assistance

info@beyondlegalaid.org

Immigration Helpline

(872) 267-2252 (voicemails to immigration help line will be returned within seven days)

For more information, visit https://www.beyondlegalaid.org/about

6 S. Clark St. Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 738-2452
www.cgla.net

Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Criminal Records Relief, Juvenile Expungement, Parole Revocation (juvenile and adult), Defense (limited), Housing, Family, Civil Asset Forfeiture, Arrest Record Discrimination (for employment)  

Additional Information – Criminal Records Relief:

• Expungement
• Sealing
• Health Care Worker Waivers
• Certificates of Good Conduct
• Executive Clemency
• Licensing

NOTE: CGLA represents respondents in Orders of Protection

To Request Legal Assistance

• Call: (312)738-2452.

Eligibility Requirements

• Live in Cook County
• Household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• If seeking assistance for a civil legal matter, the civil legal issue must be related to a criminal legal issue

Tips

• For immediate assistance, clients can visit one of CGLA’s Help Desks located at the Daley Center and Markham Courthouse (see below)
• Advise client that they may have to leave a message and an attorney or intake specialist will call them back.

Free Hotline: (312) 738-9200
https://www.carpls.org/

Daytime Hours:
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Additional Evening Hours:
Mondays and Wednesdays
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Landlord-Tenant, Foreclosure, Employment, Education, Consumer Debt, Divorce, Guardianship, Estates, Personal Injury, Property Damage, Public Benefits and Health Care

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 738-9200
  • Calls are answered on a first come, first served basis.
  • Wait time will not exceed 20 minutes.
• Individuals can also make an appointment online for a 30-minute phone legal consultation.
  • A booking fee of $25 will be charged (refundable if service is denied or appointment is canceled at least 1 hour before scheduled appointment).
  • A CARPLS attorney will contact a client within 30 minutes of the scheduled appointment.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Cook County
• Household income at or below 350% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• No conflict of interest with another CARPLS client

721 N. LaSalle St.,
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 948-6821
https://www.catholiccharities.net/GetHelp/OurServices/LegalServices.aspx

Type of Legal Assistance

Family, Housing, Consumer and Immigration

To Request Legal Services:

• Call: (312) 948-6821

For immigration and naturalization services:

• Call: (312) 427-7078 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The immigration services office is at 205 W. Monroe, Chicago, IL

Eligibility Requirements:

• CCLA will provide free services to clients who have a foreclosure related issue and whose income is below 400 % of the federal poverty guidelines
• Individuals who do not qualify for free legal services may be charged a minimal fee

Tips:

• Legal services are available in Spanish
• Citizenship status does not matter

205 W. Randolph, Suite 1610
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 376-1880
https://www.cdelaw.org/

Type of Legal Assistance

Adult Guardianship, Collections, Divorce – Uncontested, Estate Planning - Powers of Attorney, Simple Wills, Living Will Declarations, Eviction, Financial Elder Abuse, Foreclosure, Landlord-Tenant, Property Tax and Title Issues

Veterans:
Monthly Clinics at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 376-1880
• Online form to request service

Eligibility Requirements:

• Live in Cook County
• Household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

AND

• Be 60 years of age or older; OR
• Live with a permanent disability

350 N. Orleans St., Ste. C2-100
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 409-1555
Intake: (312) 630-0241
https://www.economicprogress.org/

Type of Legal Assistance

Audits, Past-Due Tax Returns, Collections, Employee v. Independent Contractor Disputes, Innocent Spouse and Canceled Debt

To Request Legal Assistance:

•     Call: (312) 409-1555
•     Email: taxclinic@goladderup.org

Eligibility Requirements:

•     Please visit this page

Tips:

• Individual should have IRS and Illinois Department of Revenue Letter when calling to request assistance

6216 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 508-5300
https://centroromero.org/

Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Immigration (Direct Service Representation, Immigration Education, and Advocacy Services)

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Online Form

Eligibility Requirements:

• Reside in Illinois

Tips:

• Legal services are available in Spanish
• The legal system used by Centro Romero charges $30 to open a case, so although Centro Romero offers free consultation services there is a $30.00 fee (non-refundable) for the consultation.

307 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1818,
Chicago, IL 60601
(773)244-2230
http://caase.org

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00am – 5:00pm

Type of Legal Assistance

Civil No Contact Orders (sexual assault), Orders of Protection (domestic violence), Monetary Damages or Injunctive Relief under the Gender Violence Act, Civil Damages and Remedies under the Predator Accountability Act and Vacating Convictions under the Illinois Justice for Victims of Sex Trafficking Crimes Act

Additional Information – Student Survivors of Sexual Assault or Harassment:

CAASE can help students (age 13+) with a variety of resources and support to navigate school, legal and law enforcement systems

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (773) 244-2230 Ext. 205

Eligibility Requirements:

• 13 years of age or older
• No income restrictions

Tips:

    All personal information left via voicemail will be kept confidential.
    An appointment is necessary for in-person assistance

Type of Legal Assistance

Wills, Durable Powers of Attorney and Living Wills

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Click on this link and call a listed center to make an appointment

Eligibility Requirements:

• 60 yrs of age or older
• Annual income cannot exceed:
  • $15,000 for singles
  • $20,000 for couples

Tips:

• Depending on the legal service provided, costs range from $50 to $125

70 E Lake St.
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 641-4140
https://www.chicagohomeless.org/programs-campaigns/legal-aid/law-projec…

Type of Legal Assistance

Education, Civil Rights, Access to Health Care and Public Benefits

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: 1 (800) 940-1119 (staffed by a case intake specialist)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Homeless (adults and youth)
• Live in Illinois

100 North LaSalle Street, Suite 600,
Chicago, IL, 60602
(312) 630-9744
https://www.clccrul.org

Type of Legal Assistance

Community Law (for nonprofits and coalitions), Housing, Education, Hate Crimes, Voting Rights, Pro Se Litigant’s Settlement Assistance Program

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Community Law Online Form
  • Email: clp@clccrul.org
• Housing, Hate Crimes and Education
  • Call CARPLS at (312) 738-9200
• Voting
  • Call: (312) 630-9744

Tips:

• Walk-in intakes are not available

(312) 726-2938

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Adoption, Child Custody and Support, Criminal Records, Divorces, Domestic Violence Prevention, Environmental Issues, Foreclosure Defense, Guardianship, Immigration, Real Estate Transactions, and Social Security Benefits

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 72-2938

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must call the intake specialist

Tips:

• Some legal services are free but CLC will charge attorneys fees on a sliding scale based on income on some matters
• Click here for immediate assistance with child support, collections defense, eviction defense, foreclosure defense and parentage matters.

33 North Dearborn Street, Suite 400
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(312) 332-1624
https://www.cvls.org

Type of Legal Assistance

Adoption, Divorce, Minor and Adult Guardianship, Child Support Enforcement, Landlord Disputes, Tenant Eviction, Mortgage Foreclosure, Probate Assistance Rescue Fraud, Title and Property Claims, Wills and Advanced Directives, Consumer Problems, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Immigration

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 332-1624
• Online Form
• Attend a Clinic

Eligibility Requirements:

• For cases that would be handled through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network: 80% of Chicago Area Median Income (applies statewide), no dishonorable discharges, spouse or dependent can't use service in legal action adverse to veteran/service member.

Tips:

• No walk-ins
• The fastest way to receive legal assistance is to call the intake line at (312) 332-1624.
• Eligibility will be determined when speaking with an intake specialist

Main Office
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 341-0022
(800) 537-2632 (Voice)
(800) 610-2779 (TTY)
https://www.equipforequality.org

Type of Legal Assistance

Access to Assistive Technology, Disability Discrimination, Education – Special Education or Early Intervention, Education – Post-Secondary Education, Employment Discrimination, Guardianship (Being My Own Guardian), Housing (Fair Housing Discrimination), Living in the Community, Rights in Institutions – Abuse and Neglect, Rights in Institutions – Other than Abuse and Neglect, Transportation, Voting

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (800) 537-2632 (Voice) or (800) 610-2779 (TTY)
• Online Intake Form

Eligibility Requirements:

• The issue is related to disability;
• The case has merit;
• There is a definable client case objective;
• The client is willing to participate actively and cooperate in the case resolution process, as appropriate;
• The client would not likely prevail without assistance from Equip for Equality;
• An unfavorable outcome would have a significant negative impact on the individual or the disability community;
• There are few or no appropriate referrals, and
• Equip for Equality has sufficient resources to devote to the matter.

Tips:

• After contacting Equip for Equality, an individual can expect to hear back within three business days

6328 N. California Ave
Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 973-4444
https://indoamerican.org

Hours:
Monday – Saturday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Immigration and Assistance with Acquiring Public Benefits

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Immigration
  • Email skhalid@indoamerican.org or call (773) 973-4444 Ext. 110

Tips:

• Visit https://indoamerican.org for more information about additional social services

1900A Dempster
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 492-1410
https://moran-center.org/about

Type of Legal Assistance

Juvenile justice, Criminal Law (ages 18-26), Expungement and Sealing, School Discipline, Restorative Justice

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (847) 492-1410

Eligibility Requirements:

• Age 26 and under
• Reside in Evanston

Tips:

• For assistance with expungement and sealing, visit the Moran Center’s Help Desk located in the Skokie Courthouse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Midwest Regional Office
(312) 663-4413
https://www.lambdalegal.org/

Type of Legal Assistance

Employment, Fair Courts, Family, Health Care, HIV, Immigration, Latino Outreach, Police & Criminal Justice, Racial Justice and Low-Income Advocacy, Religious Exemptions, Seniors, Teens and Young Adults, Transgender

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Legal Help Desk Request Form

Tips:

• For immediate assistance, click on the link for additional information - https://www.lambdalegal.org/helpdesk

3047 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 542-7077

Contact Us - Latinos Progresando

Weekdays:

DACA Only: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Non-DACA: Tuesday and Thursday, registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday: Registration begins at 7:00 a.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Immigration, Legal Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

To Request Legal Assistance:

• For additional information call: (773) 542-7077

Tips:

• Legal services are available in Spanish
• Arrive early because space is limited

1530 S. Hamlin Ave.
Chicago, IL 60623
(312) 762-6381
http://lclc.net

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Full representation on criminal or juvenile delinquency matters for youth and young adults in the North Lawndale community, paired with case management and other social services.

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 762-6381
• Online Form

Eligibility Requirements:

• Live in North Lawndale
• Ages 24 and under
• Pending juvenile delinquency or adult criminal case
• Willingness to work with not just a lawyer, but also a case manager, who supports client with non-legal goals such as school or work.

Tips:

• Does NOT have to be Christian.
• For individuals participating in the READI program, eligibility requirements are different. People who are participating in the READI program should identify themselves when calling.

33 North LaSalle, Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 347-7600
https://lcbh.org

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance

Eviction, Building Foreclosure, Housing Discrimination, Unsafe Apartment Conditions, Unresponsive landlord, Utility Shut-Off by Landlord

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 347-7600
• Email: intake@lcbh.org

Eligibility Requirements:

• Lower income renters

Tips:

• If you are living in a foreclosed building, call LCBH’s Tenants in Foreclosure Helpline at (312) 784-3507
• 24/7 Online Assistance is available through Rentervention 

(312) 986-4000
Legal Aid Society (metrofamily.org)

Type of Legal Assistance

Domestic Violence, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Prevention of Abuse and Financial Exploitation of Seniors, Evictions, Housing Voucher Terminations, Substandard Housing, Human Trafficking, Immigrant Victims of Crime, Certain Employment Law Matters

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 986-4105

Legal Aid Chicago
120 S. LaSalle Street, Ste. 900,
Chicago, IL 60603
(312) 341-1070
https://www.legalaidchicago.org

Type of Legal Assistance    

Wide range of Family and Safety issues; Housing, Money and Debt; Workers' Rights and Employment; Health, Disability and Benefits; Protected Status for Immigrants who are Crime Victims

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: 312-341-1070 by 8:30 a.m.
• Online: Get Legal Help | Illinois Legal Aid Online 

Eligibility Requirements:

• At or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with some exceptions
• U.S. citizen; Lawful Permanent Resident; Victim of human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, or other crimes included in the U visa laws; Asylee or refugee; Person who has been granted Withholding of Removal; Adjustment of Status applicant who also has a U.S. citizen spouse, parent, or child (under 21)
  • LIMITED SERVVICES: H2A (agriculture) or H2B (forestry) workers and Lawful temporary residents
• Service Areas: Chicago and Suburban Cook County, Statewide for migrant agricultural and landscape workers and victims of human trafficking, Lake County for long term care residents

17 N. State St., Suite 900
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 427-8990
https://legalcouncil.org

Type of Legal Assistance    

Wide range of services: Children and Family; HIV/AIDS; Homeless Outreach (Public Benefits); Seniors

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 427-8990

Eligibility Requirements:

• Low income

Chicago
70 E. Lake Street Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60601
Tel: (312) 408-1210
Email: life-span@life-span.org

Des Plaines
701 Lee Street #700
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Tel: (847) 824-0382

https://life-span.org/legal-services-and-advocacy/

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Type of Legal Assistance    

Divorce, Allocation of Parental Responsibilities and Parenting Time, Child and Spousal Support, Orders of Protection, Civil No Contact Orders, Immigration Assistance, Legal Advocacy in Criminal Court, Legal Advocacy with Issues Stemming from Sexual Assault, Crime Victims Compensation Act (CVC) Advocacy, Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) Advocacy, Illinois Safe Homes Act Advocacy

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 408-1210
• Contact Life Span – LIFE SPAN (life-span.org)

Tips:

• Legal services are available in the following languages: Spanish, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Telagu, Russian, and Bengali.
• Life Span also offers counseling services. For more information, call: (847) 824-0382

1727 S. Indiana Ave, Ste. 3G,
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 292-4988
https://www.tenants-rights.org

Hotline Hours:
Monday – Friday
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Type of Legal Assistance 

• Tenant’s Issues

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (773) 292-4988
• Online 24/7: https://www.squaredawaychicago.com

https://www.nad.org/about-us/law-advocacy-center/

Type of Legal Assistance 

Disability Discrimination

To Request Legal Assistance:

• email: nad.info@nad.org

Eligibility Requirements:

• Deaf or hard of hearing
• No income eligibility requirements
• Membership in NAD is not required

224 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 600,
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 660-1370
https://www.immigrantjustice.org

Type of Legal Assistance 

General Immigration, Asylum, Detained Immigrants, Human Trafficking, LGBTQ Immigrants, Unaccompanied Immigrant Children, Helpdesk at the Chicago Immigration Court

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (312) 660-1370
• Online Form: https://www.immigrantjustice.org/

Tips:

• Legal services are available in Spanish
• When completing the online form, individuals must request an appointment for a legal consultation

150 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 201-9740
https://www.aclu-il.org/en/aclu-illinois-and-roger-baldwin-foundation

Type of Legal Assistance 

LGBTQ and HIV Advocacy, Women’s and Reproductive Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, First Amendment Advocacy, Police Practices and racial Justice, Voting Rights, Institutionalized Persons, Immigration, Government Accountability and Personal Privacy

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Online Form

Eligibility Requirements:

• Incident at issue occurred in the state of Illinois OR the individual seeking assistance must be a resident of Illinois

Tips:

• Does not provide general legal services; the ACLU litigates cases where a person’s civil rights were violated, primarily by the government
• After submitting a request for legal services, an individual may have to wait up to two weeks for a response

25 E. Pearson St.
Chicago, IL 60611
(773) 800-0338
https://www.luc.edu/law/academics/

Hotline Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 .p.m

Type of Legal Assistance 

School Discipline, Suspension Appeal

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (773) 800-0338

Eligibility Requirements:

• Students, K-12, must be facing a school discipline issue

4413 N. Sheridan
Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773) 769-1411
https://www.uplcchicago.org

Type of Legal Assistance 

Prisoners' Human Rights, Eviction, Social Security Benefits

To Request Legal Assistance:

• Call: (773) 769-1411
• Email: uplc@uplcchicago.org

Eligibility Requirements:

• Housing: Must reside in Chicago
• SSDI: call after you have filed an application for benefits with your local Social Security office.