Illinois Bar Foundation - Illinois JusticeCorps

Over fifty years ago, a handful of visionary leaders founded the Illinois Bar Foundation. Their initial commitment was to provide aid to deserving members of the Illinois Bar who, because of age or infirmity, could no longer provide for their own care or support. Since then, the Foundation has expanded its scope to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity. With the Vision to be the statewide leader in advancing equal justice, the Foundation has established the following organizational objectives: - Enhance the availability of legal aid to those of limited means. - Encourage pro-bono legal work. - Educate Illinois residents regarding their rights and responsibilities under the law. - Extend assistance to colleagues in need of support.

Illinois JusticeCorps is an innovative AmeriCorps program that places college students, recent graduates, and other volunteers in courthouses throughout the state to help the growing number of litigants appearing in court every day without lawyers. Volunteers in the program make the courts a friendlier and more welcoming environment for litigants and other court patrons. Illinois JusticeCorps members get the unique opportunity to serve alongside legal aid attorneys, judges, law librarians, clerks, and other court staff in an effort to increase the public's access to the legal system.