ATJ Commission awards grants to agencies to reduce barriers to meaningful participation in court | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

By: Jill Roberts, Deputy Director, Access to Justice Division

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice recently launched a new grant opportunity: Reducing Barriers to Meaningful Access in Court Grant. The grant aims to directly support organizations working on the front lines to break down barriers to the legal system. The grant is open to a wide range of participants, including administrative agencies, universities, foundations, legal aid organizations, community-based organizations, and social service organizations.

The ATJ Commission’s Reducing Barriers to Meaningful Access in Court grant selection committee had the difficult task of reviewing applications from 33 amazing agencies doing incredible work to advance access to justice across Illinois. The ATJ Commission distributed $300,000, and fully or partially funded 11 projects from across the state. This year’s grantees are:

• Administer Justice to open three new community-based legal clinics.
• Catholic Charities Legal Services to establish a legal service hotline in Central and Southern Illinois.
• Center for Disability and Elder Law to support the Legal Help Desk at the Cook County Clerk’s Office Recording Division.
• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services to continue a family law legal clinic in Cook County’s Maywood Courthouse.
• Greater Chicago Legal Clinic to run a weekly advice desk at Cook County’s Bridgeview Courthouse.
• Illinois Equal Justice Foundation to run the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network.
• Lawndale Christian Legal Center to provide holistic, community-based legal services to juveniles and emerging adults.
• Palomares Social Justice Center to provide bilingual assistance to the Hispanic community in Rock Island County and the Quad Cities.
• Raise the Floor Alliance to expand efforts to address labor violations for workers in low-wage industries.
• Sandoval Public Library to create a self-help legal workstation.
• South Suburban College to support the Student Pro Bono Expungement and Entrepreneurship Practicum.

Through partnership and shared commitment, we are building a more just, inclusive, and accessible court system for all. The Commission is proud to support the efforts of these vital organizations for the program year from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. For any questions or additional information, reach out to AccessToJustice@illinoiscourts.gov.