Legal Aid Resources

Although you are representing yourself, there are services that can provide you free or low cost help. 

For legal services for qualifying individuals: 

• Prairie State Legal Services - free legal services for low-income persons and those over age 60 who have serious civil legal problems
  • pslegal.org or Call (815) 965-2902
• Ask a Lawyer: Free Legal Answers
  • abafreelegalanswers.org
• Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network - a statewide hotline that provides legal information, advice, brief services and referrals to current or prior military members, and their spouses and dependents
  • ilaflan.org or Call 855-IL-AFLAN (855-452-3526)
• New Leaf - assistance with cannabis expungement
  • newleafillinois.org or Call (855) 963-9532
• Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic 
  • Call (815) 962-9980
• NIU College of Law COVID 19 Legal Response Clinic
  • Call (815) 962-9980
• Illinois COVID HELP! - free chat bot tool to help anyone in Illinois with legal problems related to the pandemic
  • covidhelpillinois.org

For online self-help tools:  

• Illinois Legal Aid Online - free online legal resource center including a large form library
  • illinoislegalaid.org 
• Guide & File - free online service to fill out forms to send to court
  • illinois.tylerhost.net/SRL 
• Illinois Court Help - court guides to help you understand and go through the court process, wherever you are in Illinois
  • ilcourthelp.gov or call or text (833) 411-1121
• Illinois Access to Justice - find legal information, court forms, and referrals to free or low-cost legal help
  • atjil.org
• Illinois Supreme Court Self Representation- resources provided by the Illinois Supreme Court
• Going to court on your own video - "Going to court can be scary. Prepare by watching this video which shows each step in the process."
  • illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/going-court-your-own

For domestic violence intervention and prevention services:

• Domestic Violence Assistance Center (DVAC) - Free and confidential Orders of Protection assistance in Winnebago County for those who qualify
  • Call (815) 516- 2440, or visit 400 W. State Street, 3rd floor Old Courthouse, Rockford
• Information on filing Orders of Protection - How to file a protection order online in Winnebago and Boone Counties
  • 17thcircuit.illinoiscourts.gov/public-info/domestic-violence-help/get-help
• Remedies - providing services for Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse to Winnebago and Boone Counties
  • remediesrenewinglives.org or Call 24 Hr. Domestic Violence Hotline at (815) 962-6102
• Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling - 24/7 Crisis Hotline in Winnebago, Boone & Ogle Counties
  • rockfordsexualassaultcounseling.org or Call (815) 636-9811
• National Domestic Violence Hotline- 24/7 access to resources and support
  • thehotline.org or Call (800) 799-7233 or text "START" to (800) 799-7233
• The Family Peace Center - a multi-agency service center that provides services to victims of inter-personal violence
  • rockfordfamilypeacecenter.org or Call (779) 348-7600 or visit 315 N. Main Street, Rockford

For help finding an attorney: 

• Illinois Lawyer Finder 
  • isba.org/public/illinoislawyerfinder or Call (800) 922-8757
• Winnebago County Bar Association
  • wcbarockford.org and "Find an attorney" tab in upper-right corner
• Boone County Bar Association
  • boonecountybar.com and "Search our Directory" blue box