Legal Resources

ADMINISTER JUSTICE

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.

GUARDIANSHIP AND ADVOCACY COMMISSION

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.

JUSTICE ENTREPRENEURS PROJECT

1-312 546-3282

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.

KANE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY & SELF HELP LEGAL CENTER

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.

KANE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH COURT

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

PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES, INC

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.

WILL AND ESTATE PLANNING

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.

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