Each month at local public libraries in the First Judicial Circuit, volunteer attorneys are working to help self-represented litigants through the Lawyer in the Library program. With eight locations across the Southern Illinois region, free legal advice is available nearby.

Illinois judges are increasingly being recognized for their dedicated work in courtrooms throughout the state. Here are some of the recent honors received by Illinois judges:

You have undoubtedly heard the term “legal deserts” lately. If you – like me – live in Cook County, you are surrounded by lawyers - lots of them. Cook County has more lawyers than the entire nation of Japan. But there are many, many areas right here in Illinois that have insufficient legal resources – to say the least. Some Illinois counties count the resident judge, State’s Attorney, and part-time Public Defender as the only lawyers.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced amendments to Supreme Court Rule 299 regarding compensation for attorneys appointed to represent indigent parties.

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) announced that two Illinois Probation Departments/County Court Services Departments were each awarded a $5,000 grant from the...

Many images of Lady Justice, whether statues, murals, bas reliefs, or friezes, show her with a blindfold around her eyes. However, in the Illinois Supreme Court Building, Lady Justice appears with her eyes uncovered. Why did Illinois’s Supreme Court go a different route than many other court buildings.

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the creation of the Supreme Court Executive Committee on the Practice of Law (Executive Committee). This new committee is charged with making recommendations on issues impacting the practice of law and unmet legal needs.

Beyond the Bench is a monthly feature to get to know more about judges and justices in the Illinois Courts, beyond their legal duties.

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) and the AOIC’s Access to Justice Division’s Forms Team (Forms Team) are excited to announce that statewide standardized forms will have a new design starting in January 2024.

The Administrative Office of Illinois Courts (AOIC) has nearly completed distribution of the $10 million Public Defender Fund (Fund) to the 101 counties outside of Cook. This unprecedented investment by the General Assembly will be transformative for counties and public defenders throughout Illinois that have the greatest need.