Find Legal Aid in Chicago, IL: Free Legal Help for Low-Income Residents

LegalAidOffices.com provides a comprehensive list of all legal aid offices in Chicago, Illinois, including their contact information, addresses, and the types of legal services they offer.

Our listings include such as type of law (Domestic violence, family law, housing rental evictions or home foreclosures, public assistance such as medicaid, food stamps, SSI Disability, SSDI benefits, public housing evictions, disability beneifts, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is legal aid?
Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer. Legal aid organizations can help people with a wide range of legal problems, including family law, criminal law, civil law, and immigration law.

Who is eligible for legal aid?
Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the specific legal aid organization and the type of legal problem. However, most legal aid organizations have income guidelines that must be met. Some legal aid organizations also have other eligibility requirements, such as residency requirements or citizenship requirements.

How much does legal aid cost?
Legal aid services are free or low-cost. The amount you pay will depend on your income and the type of legal services you receive.

How do I apply for legal aid?
To apply for legal aid, you will need to contact a legal aid organization and complete an application form. The application form will ask you for information about your income, assets, and the legal problem you are facing.

How long does it take to get legal aid?
The amount of time it takes to get legal aid varies depending on the legal aid organization and the type of legal problem you have. However, most legal aid organizations will try to process applications as quickly as possible.

Choose from the list below to find a legal aid office that can help you.



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    CARPLS Email Website Learn more
    Chicago, IL -
    (312) 738-9200
    They do not list an address because you must call their hotline first and they will assign you an attorney that will meet with you if necessary. Free legal advice to Chicago area residents. Attorneys have helped clients effectively handle divorce and custody issues, landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, consumer debt and much more. CARPLS operates a free telephone hotline where people talk directly to attorneys who offer legal advice and assistance, often solving problems in a single call. CARPLS offers legal advice and document preparation assistance at four court-based self-help centers...See Full Details
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    Chicago Legal Clinic - Pilsen Office Email Website Learn more 1914 S. Ashland Avenue
    Chicago, IL - 60608
    (312) 226-2669
    Since 1981, the Chicago Legal Clinic has evolved from a small neighborhood office to a keystone provider of legal services to the working poor and disadvantaged in the Chicago area. This entails providing direct legal counseling and high quality representation at low cost or pro bono and free educational seminars on legal topics. The Chicago Legal Clinic is a not-for-profit organization which offers low cost legal services. We provide sliding-scale services in English and Spanish based on your ability to pay. Hours of Operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ...See Full Details
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    Chicago Legal Clinic - Downtown Office Email Website Learn more 211 W. Wacker Drive
    Chicago, IL - 60606
    (312) 726-2938
    Since 1981, the Chicago Legal Clinic has evolved from a small neighborhood office to a keystone provider of legal services to the working poor and disadvantaged in the Chicago area. This entails providing direct legal counseling and high quality representation at low cost or pro bono and free educational seminars on legal topics. The Chicago Legal Clinic is a not-for-profit organization which offers low cost legal services. We provide sliding-scale services in English and Spanish based on your ability to pay. Hours of Operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ...See Full Details
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    Lawyer's Committee for Better Housing Email Website Learn more 33 N. LaSalle Street
    Chicago, IL - 60602
    (312) 347-7600
    LCBH helps lower income renters in Chicago including Housing Choice Voucher Holders. LCBH accepts clients on a case-by-case basis depending on need and situation. To qualify for services ALL renters must go through the LCBH intake process. Eviction cases often move very quickly, so contact our office as soon as possible to allow enough time for us to determine if and how we can help. Chicago residents call us at (312) 347-7600 or email at intake@lcbh.org. Cook County Residents Call our Tenants in Foreclosure Helpline at (855) 207-8347. Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 ...See Full Details
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    Chicago Legal Clinic - South Chicago Office Email Website Learn more 2938 E. 91st Street
    Chicago, IL - 60617
    (773) 731-1762
    Since 1981, the Chicago Legal Clinic has evolved from a small neighborhood office to a keystone provider of legal services to the working poor and disadvantaged in the Chicago area. This entails providing direct legal counseling and high quality representation at low cost or pro bono and free educational seminars on legal topics. The Chicago Legal Clinic is a not-for-profit organization which offers low cost legal services. We provide sliding-scale services in English and Spanish based on your ability to pay. Hours of Operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ...See Full Details
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    Chicago Legal Clinic - Austin Circle Law Center Email Website Learn more 118 N. Central Avenue
    Chicago, IL - 60644
    (773) 854-1610
    Since 1981, the Chicago Legal Clinic has evolved from a small neighborhood office to a keystone provider of legal services to the working poor and disadvantaged in the Chicago area. This entails providing direct legal counseling and high quality representation at low cost or pro bono and free educational seminars on legal topics. The Chicago Legal Clinic is a not-for-profit organization which offers low cost legal services. We provide sliding-scale services in English and Spanish based on your ability to pay. Hours of Operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ...See Full Details
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    Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Email Website Learn more 33 North Dearborn Street
    Chicago, IL - 60602
    (312) 332-1624
    CVLS' mission is to coordinate, support and promote the voluntary pro bono legal representation of the Chicago area's poor and working poor. CVLS is the first and pre-eminent pro bono civil legal aid provider in Chicago. CVLS offers programs that make substantial positive impact on the lives of our clients. CVLS stands by you if you are being sued or facing foreclosure. We're here when you need a bankruptcy, a will or power of attorney. If you want to adopt, need a divorce or guardianship, have a landlord-tenant problem or want help with immigration, we can help. Our volunteer attorneys give ...See Full Details
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    Legal Council for Health Justice Email Website Learn more 17 N. State Street
    Chicago, IL - 60602
    (312) 427-8990
    Legal Council for Health Justice (formerly AIDS Legal Council of Chicago) uses the power of the law to secure dignity, opportunity, and well-being for people facing barriers due to illness or disability. We meet our clients where they are, as they are, tal como son, by providing efficient, personalized, and professional legal services. We listen to our clients concerns, assist them in developing a plan to address those concerns, and then put that plan in motion. We anticipate the evolving needs of our clients, studying the shifting forces that impact their lives, to ensure our service deliver...See Full Details
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    Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation Email Website Learn more 307 N. Michigan Ave.
    Chicago, IL - 60601
    (773) 244-2230
    Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitationenvisions a community free from all forms of sexual exploitation, including sexual assault and the commercial sex trade.CAASE addresses the culture, institutions, and individuals that perpetrate, profit from, or support sexual exploitation. Our work includes prevention, policy reform, community engagement, and legal services.Our attorneys are available to meet with you confidentially to provide individualized legal advice, consultation, and representation following and related to sexual assault.CAASEs lawyers can help accompany you to police and pro...See Full Details
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    LAF Email Website Learn more 120 S. LaSalle Street
    Chicago, IL - 60603
    (312) 341-1070
    At LAF we work together to provide high quality civil legal services to people living in poverty and other vulnerable groups. Through advocacy, education, collaboration, and litigation, we empower individuals, protect fundamental rights, strengthen communities, create opportunities, and achieve justice. All clients must be registered by telephone and screened for eligibility through our Client Screening Unit at 312.341.1070. For Ombudsman for seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in suburban Cook County and Lake County, Illinois, call 888.401.8200 toll-free. Persons with l...See Full Details
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    Cabrini Green Legal Aid Email Website Learn more 6 S Clark St
    Chicago, IL - 60642
    (312) 738-2452
    We provide services in areas of acute need, including criminal records relief, defense, family and housing law. CGLA is able to represent individuals who live in the city of Chicago with a household income less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and have a legal problem in one of our areas of practice. ...See Full Details
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    Equip for Equality - Chicago Office Email Website Learn more 20 N. Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL - 60602
    (312) 341-0022
    Equip for Equality serves as a legal advocate for people with disabilities and as an independent watchdog. To carry out our responsibilities under federal law, we are granted broad, federal statutory powers. We promote self-advocacy and serve as a legal advocate for people with disabilities, and handle individual cases and systems-change litigation to achieve broad-based societal reforms. To get legal help from us, start by contacting us by applying online, calling us at 800-537-2632, emailing us at ContactUs@equipforequality.org, by fax at 312-541-7544, or by mail at Attn: Intake 20 North M...See Full Details
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    Domestic Violence Legal Clinic Email Website Learn more 555 W. Harrison Street
    Chicago, IL - 60607
    (312) 325-9155
    The Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (DVLC) provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals in Cook County. We are dedicated to keeping families safe, using the legal system to combat domestic violence. Our staff and network of volunteers make a difference each and every day. ...See Full Details

Tips for Getting Free Legal Aid

Contact the legal aid offices from the list above.

1. Apply for government programs.
There are a number of government programs that provide legal assistance to low-income individuals and families.

2. Check with local law schools.
Many law schools have legal clinics that offer free or low-cost legal services to the public.

3. Ask for pro bono help.
Pro bono is Latin for "for the good of the public." Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income individuals and families. To find a pro bono lawyer, you can contact a legal aid organization or the State of Illinois Bar.

Search for Legal Aid Offices

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Important Information

Legal Aid Funding
Legal aid professionals and organizations oftentimes receive government funding for taking on cases with those who cannot afford attorneys. For the most part, funding is limited so legal aid entities can only take on a limited amount of cases. Qualifications are often rigid.

Resources

Legal Aid Eviction Assistance

Can Legal Aid Help Me Get a Free Divorce?

Difference Between Pro Bono Attorneys and Legal Aid Attorneys