law referRal services
While everyone has the right to a lawyer, the cost of hiring one to represent them in court may not be accessible for everyone. Therefore, the following resources link individuals to various referal services at a low-cost.
Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Referral service connecting people with experienced lawyers who charge fees for their serves after a $30 initial consultation.
Phone: (312) 554-2001
Illinois State Bar Association LawyerFinder
Referral services connecting people with lawyers throughout Illinois who charges fees for their services after a $25 initial consultation.
Phone: (800) 922-8757
Referral service for lawyers who offer lower cost legal service that often include fixed fees and flexible representation options in many areas of law.
Phone: (312) 546-3282
Lawyers who offer unbundled legal services in family law & eviction law.
South Suburban Bar Association
Referral service for lawyers who represent clients in the south suburbs of Chicago and at the Sixth Municipal District Courthouse in Markham.
Phone: (708) 239-8500
Court
If you cannot afford the fees to file court papers or to serve a court case you can ask to thave them waived.
Eastern Division
Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse
219 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 435-5670
Hours: 8:30AM to 4:30PM
Western Division
Phone: (815) 987-4354
For court schedules, click here.
Location: 2650 South California Avenue, Room 526, Chicago , IL 60608
Phone: ( 773) 674-3147 | (773) 647-3140
Hours: Monday- Friday 8:30AM to 4:30 PM
Administrative review is the formal process that is used when the individual or the individual’s legal representative is not satisfied with the decision from formal hearings.
To find out how to file for administrative review, click here.
Pro se
Someone who files a civil case on his or her own behalf is often referred to as a pro se. For more resources/information please refer to the following page.
Free Self-Help Assitance
A program for pro se litigants who may need free assistance.
For English pdf
For Spanish pdf
Prisoner’s Rights
The following link leads to a page with various resources for prisoners and their family members. From rights during a criminal investigation to visiting someone in prison to life after prison.
For more information refer to this page.
Online Case Search
This page leads to a portal where individuals can search their cases online including but not limited to: traffic tickets, unclaimed child support checks, and naturalization declarations of Intention.
Federal Record Center (FRC) and National Archives and Records
Location: 7358 S. Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60629-5898
Phone: (773) 948-9000
traffic
Common minor traffic offenses include:
- Driving without insurance
- Speeding
- Broken tail light
- Cracked windshield
- Expired automobile registration
For more details on minor traffic offenses refer to the following page.
What to do if you receive a traffic ticket
Parking Tickets and Traffic Court
For more traffic-realted questions, refer to this page.
adult/juvenile expungement
What is criminal record expungement?
A criminal record is created when you are arrested or charged with an offense even is you are released without charge or found not guilty. Because the public can view your criminal records, it may affect future opportunities you apply to. Filing for a criminal record expungement will erase the charges and arrests from your record and help you with future opportunities.
Informational links
Juvenile Record Expungement Basics
- Explains the different types of juvenile records, automatic expungement and age at which you’re still considered a juvenile.
- Information on different types of criminal records. This link sends you to Illinois Legal Aid’s page, they provide comprehensive resources on types of offenses that can be expunged, procedures and additional resources.
- This link provides a step-by-step on how to begin your expungement process.
Provide self-help resources, guidance to understand criminal records and expungement and offer referrals to free or low-cost resources based on income. Services available in Spanish and Polish.
ILA also has a helpful program that walks you through the preparation of the documents for your case and filling out the set of court forms. For more information click here.
Can help answer questions about sealing and expunging records but cannot represent you in court
Location: 203 N LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60601
Hot Line: (866) 787-1776
Email: expungement@osad.state.il.us
Juvenile Expungement Help Desk
Cook County Juvenile Center
Location: 1100 S. Hamilton Ave., Ground Floor, Chicago, IL 60612
Hours: Monday – Friday 9AM to 4PM (hours subject to change, walk-ins only)
Location: 50 W. Washington, Chicago, Illinois
Room 1006
By appointment only
Hours: Monday – Thursday 9AM to 12PM
Cook (Markham) Markham Courthouse
Location: 16501 Kedzie Parkway, Markham, Illinois
Room 102J
Hours: Wednesday 10AM – 2PM
Cook (Skokie) Skokie Courthouse
Location: 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, Illinois
Room 136
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 10AM – 12PM
Cook (Bridgeview) Bridgeview Courthouse
Location: 10220 S. 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, Illinois
Room LL-Canteen
Hours: Tuesday 9AM to 12PM
