Legal Resources

1-847-844-1100  |  Toll Free: 877-778-6006

Administer Justice is a non-profit charitable legal aid organization serving the needs of low-income and no-income individuals. They operate as a full-time professional law office that also offers other services leading to personal empowerment built on Biblical principles. The program runs Monday through Saturday for client appointments. 

STATEWIDE GENERAL INFO:                           INFO For Out-of-State Callers:                                STATEWIDE TTY

1-866-274-8023                                                    1-708-338-7500                                                   

        1-866-333-3362

The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission protects the rights and promotes the welfare of persons with disabilities. The Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities.  By providing legal representation, investigating complaints of rights violations and providing state guardianship for Illinois' population with disabilities, the Commission has given voice to those who have previously gone unheard.

(312) 546-3282

The Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP) is a network of independent lawyers  who are committed to making quality legal services accessible and  affordable for regular people. Lawyers in the JEP offer fixed fees and  flexible representation options (unbundled, a la carte services). Their practices seek to be client-centered and emphasize approach-ability and collaboration between the attorney and client

1-630-406-7126

Named "the most user-friendly law library" by the Kane County Chronicle, the Kane County Law Library & Self Help Legal Center (Library) is located within the Kane County Judicial Center and is open to all. The Library houses the County's core of legal research materials, including print products and online databases. Librarians are always available to guide people to appropriate resources. Funding for the Library is maintained primarily through a $19 fee from every new civil case filed 

with the Circuit Clerk's Office.

Helping individuals and families with special needs in the justice system.

Prairie  State Legal Services is an organization that offers free legal services for low income persons and those age 60 and over who have serious civil  legal problems and need legal help to solve them. There are 12 office locations serving 36 counties in northern Illinois.

If an individual with a mental illness qualifies for SSI benefits, it is very important for the family to plan ahead so that the SSI payments and Medicaid will not be lost through inadequate estate planning.  Money or property inherited directly by the ill person will be used first to cover costs before benefits.  Setting up a living trust fund with  another relative as trustee (or co-trustee with a financial institution)  on behalf of the person who is ill must be restricted so that it cannot  be used for support and maintenance. An attorney who specializes in this work should be consulted.

Here is a list of books which can be used as resources:

Special Needs Trusts: Protect Your Child's Financial Future Fifth Edition

by Stephen Elias (Author), Kevin Urbatsch

Everything You Need to Know About Estate Planning in Illinois Paperback 

by Denice Gierach (Author)

Estate Planning for People with a Chronic Condition or Disability 1st Edition

by Martin M. Shenkman CPA MBA JD