Free legal information, aid organizations, and court resources for residents of Illinois. Know your rights and find help.
Provides free civil legal services to low-income Chicagoans in housing, family, consumer, and public benefits matters.
Visit Website →Offers free legal help to low-income residents across northern and central Illinois in civil legal matters.
Visit Website →Provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in central and southern Illinois covering housing, family, and benefits.
Visit Website →Provides free legal services in Chicago focused on criminal records, housing, immigration, and family law for low-income residents.
Visit Website →Offers free legal help to low-income residents across Cook County in housing, family, consumer, and public benefits.
Visit Website →Defends civil liberties through litigation and advocacy on police accountability, immigrants' rights, and criminal justice reform.
Visit Website →The Supreme Court of Illinois is the court of last resort, consisting of seven justices from five appellate districts. The Appellate Court handles intermediate appeals across five districts. Circuit Courts are the trial courts of general jurisdiction, organized into 24 judicial circuits across the state.
The Supreme Court of Illinois has seven justices elected from five appellate districts, sitting primarily in Springfield. The Appellate Court operates across five districts with divisions: First District (Cook County), Second (northern), Third (west-central), Fourth (central-south), and Fifth (southern). Circuit Courts are organized into 24 judicial circuits across 102 counties, with Cook County Circuit Court being the largest unified court system in the world.
Comprehensive anti-discrimination law covering employment, housing, financial credit, and public accommodations with expansive protected categories.
Governs residential rentals including Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO), which provides strong tenant protections in the city.
Broad consumer protection law prohibiting deceptive practices in trade or commerce with private right of action.
Requires most employers to provide 40 hours of paid leave per year for any reason.
Eliminated cash bail in Illinois effective 2023, making it the first state to end money bail and implementing a risk-based pretrial detention system.
Protects workers' rights to timely and full payment of wages, with penalties for employers who fail to pay wages owed.
Comprehensive protective order statute providing for Orders of Protection, including emergency orders available 24/7 through law enforcement.
24/7 confidential support for domestic violence victims
1-800-799-7233
Statewide domestic violence support and shelter referrals
1-877-863-6338
Metropolitan Tenants Organization housing assistance
773-292-4988
Call or text 988 for immediate mental health crisis support
988
Illinois requires most employers to provide at least 40 hours of paid leave per year that workers can use for any reason, effective 2024.
New state-level child tax credit providing up to $300 per child for qualifying families, expanding financial support for Illinois families.
Expanded criteria for Firearms Restraining Orders, allowing more family members and law enforcement to petition for temporary firearm removal.
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 5 years (oral) / 10 years (written)
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 5 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 2 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Statute of Limitations: 5 years
This is the maximum time after an event within which you may file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to sue.
Typical filing fee: $75-$150 (claims up to $10,000)
Small claims court is designed for individuals to resolve minor disputes quickly and affordably without an attorney.
Typical filing fee: $250-$400
Civil court handles larger disputes including personal injury, contract breaches, and property claims. Attorney representation is common.
Typical filing fee: $250-$350
Family court handles divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence matters. Fee waivers are often available for low-income filers.
Free civil legal services to low-income residents in Cook County covering housing, family, and consumer matters.
Visit Website →Serves 36 counties in northern and central Illinois with free legal help in housing, family, and benefits.
Visit Website →Free civil legal services for low-income residents in central and southern Illinois.
Visit Website →The state's highest court with seven justices elected from five appellate districts, sitting primarily in Springfield. Handles constitutional questions and death penalty appeals.
Visit Court Website →Five appellate districts handling intermediate appeals. The First District (Cook County) is the busiest. Access case information, opinions, and rules.
Visit Court Website →Trial courts of general jurisdiction across 24 judicial circuits. Cook County Circuit Court is the largest unified court system in the world.
Find Your Local Court →Illinois Landlord & Tenant Act. Governs security deposits, habitability, and eviction. Chicago also has its own Residential Landlord & Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) with stronger tenant protections.
Anti-Discrimination Law. Prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, financial credit, and public accommodations based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other categories.
Consumer Fraud & Deceptive Business Practices Act. Broad consumer protection law prohibiting deception, fraud, and unfair practices in trade or commerce with private right of action.
Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Authorizes Orders of Protection including emergency orders (available 24/7), interim orders, and plenary orders with custody and support provisions.
Illinois Wage Payment & Collection Act. Protects workers' rights to timely and complete payment of all earned wages, with penalties for employers who fail to comply.
Statewide portal providing free legal information, court forms, self-help tools, and referrals to legal aid organizations for all Illinois residents.
Visit Website →Illinois' federally mandated Protection & Advocacy organization providing free legal services to people with disabilities in civil rights, employment, and education.
Visit Website →Provides free legal services to immigrants and refugees including deportation defense, asylum representation, and family reunification.
Visit Website →The Illinois AG's Consumer Protection Division handles complaints about scams, identity theft, unfair business practices, and data breaches. The office also operates a Health Care Bureau and a Public Interest Bureau.
Phone: (800) 386-5438 (Consumer Fraud Hotline)
Online Complaints: File at illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection/file-a-complaint/
Visit AG Consumer Protection →The IDHR enforces the Illinois Human Rights Act, investigating complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, financial credit, public accommodations, and sexual harassment in education. Charges are adjudicated by the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
Phone: (312) 814-6200 (Chicago) / (217) 785-5100 (Springfield)
Filing Deadline: 300 days from the discriminatory act
Visit IDHR Website →