EQUAL JUSTICE ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN S a T C IC IS Access to the Legal System Makes the Difference in People's Lives E I O LLIN Newthe Honorable Philip J

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I A A L P J U M EQUAL JUSTICE ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN S A T C IC IS Access to the Legal System Makes the Difference in People's Lives E I O LLIN NEWThe Honorable Philip J. Rock and The Honorable James R. Thompson, Co-ChairsS State Funding for Legal Aid Sees Critical Increase FY 2006 Budget Includes $2 Million for Illinois Equal Justice Foundation

L egal aid funding received a major boost in this legal assistance but cannot afford it,” said Attorney year’s state budget. Funding for the Illinois Equal Justice General Lisa Madigan. “Our legal system was designed Foundation (IEJF) was increased to $2 million, from the for all. With this funding, legal aid organizations previous level of $472,900. The IEJF distributes state throughout the state will make sure that low-income funding for civil legal aid to not-for-profit Illinois residents have access to that system.” organizations throughout the state. This additional The effort to increase legal aid funding enjoyed strong funding will enable those organizations to help more bi-partisan support within the Illinois General Assembly. than 30,000 families in crisis, victims of domestic vio- Senators Jeff Schoenberg (D, 9th) and Kirk Dillard (R, lence and the elderly. 24th) led the effort and sponsored bills to increase the “With this funding, the state will help low-income state appropriation for civil legal aid to $2 M and $1 M residents who have nowhere else to turn get the legal respectively. help they need that is essential to their safety and inde- “Legal aid funding is a solid investment for our state,” pendence. It’s absolutely critical said Senator Schoenberg, who also we ensure that poor people have initiated moving the funding to the access to the same kind of court Attorney General’s Office. “Access to system and the same kind of legal legal services makes the difference in relief as those who can afford to people’s lives. By providing people pay,” said Phil Rock, former Illinois with the legal help they need now, Senate President and co-chair of we can help prevent problems such the Equal Justice Illinois as child abuse, domestic violence and Campaign. “While Illinois still homelessness.” needs to do more when it comes The $2 M in funding will provide to providing legal aid resources, critical relief to Illinois’ legal aid net- this is a critical first step in getting work, which is so overburdened and us in line with the rest of the under-funded that it is operating in a nation.” Among the ten most pop- crisis mode, accepting only the most ulous states, the average appropria- critical cases and turning away tens tion for legal aid is $6.8 million. of thousands of people each year. A In addition, the appropriation for statewide legal needs study released the IEJF, originally housed in the earlier this year found that in 2003 Illinois Department of Human alone, poor people faced more than Services, has moved to the Office of 1.3 million civil legal problems, the Attorney General. “This increased appropriation is involving issues such as domestic violence, divorce, child critical to providing services to Illinoisans who need See Increase Cont’d on Page 2 EQUAL JUSTICE ILLINOIS CAMPAIGN BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE Chancery Advice Desk Offers Guidance The Honorable James R. Thompson Co-Chair The Honorable Philip J. Rock To Those In Danger of Losing Their Home Co-Chair Attorney General Lisa Madigan State of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White On a daily basis, attorney Kelli two to three attorneys and is open State of Illinois Dudley sees that a person’s home is 9 a.m. to noon every weekday. The Justice Mary Ann McMorrow second in importance only to their attorneys at the Advice Desk prima- Illinois Supreme Court Richard A. Devine personal relationships. A home pro- rily see cases of foreclosure, but Cook County State’s Attorney vides stability and security, and also advise on any legal matter Mayor Richard M. Daley often times serves as a family’s only heard by the Chancery Division of Chicago, IL Paul Logli source of savings. Dudley estimates the Circuit Court. Winnebago County State’s Attorney that 20,000 people in Cook County When a homeowner misses a Frank Clark alone face foreclosure on their mortgage payment, the foreclosure ComEd, President James Buda homes each year, many without process can be initiated immediately. Caterpillar Inc., General Counsel Anita Cummings, Executive Director “In a matter of months, a family can go from living securely in United Business Association of Midway Jerry Roper, President their own home to being completely dependent on their relatives Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and friends. And often times the difference between keeping and Dorothy Brown Cook County Circuit Court Clerk losing their home is a couple of minutes of free legal advice.” Jerome Stermer, President Voices for Illinois Children legal representation. The Chicago Many who miss payments have Robert Schillerstrom, President Legal Clinic’s Chancery Advice Desk strained finances and do not have DuPage County Board U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello was created to help these people. the resources to secure legal repre- 12th District The Chicago Legal Clinic opened sentation. For people facing the Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki the Chancery Advice Desk for the prospect of losing their homes, the Archdiocese of Chicago Chief Judge Timothy Evans Chancery Division of the Circuit legal process can be daunting. Circuit Court of Cook County Court of Cook County in February “Many people come to us complete- Judge James Wexstten of 2004. Located in the Daley ly overwhelmed by the foreclosure 2nd Circuit Court, Mt.Vernon, IL Judge Jane Waller Center, the Advice Desk is staffed by See Chancery Cont’d on Page 4 19th Circuit Court, Waukegan, IL Robert Clifford Clifford Law Offices Dallas Ingemunson Increase Cont’d from Page 1 State funding for civil legal aid Former Illinois Republican Party Chairman custody, evictions, mortgage fore- is appropriated through the & Kendall County State’s Attorney closures or the physical and Illinois Equal Justice Act. The Illinois State Rep. Ken Dunkin 5th District financial abuse of the elderly. Act, approved by the General Dennis Gannon, President However, in more than 80% of Assembly and signed into law in Chicago Federation of Labor those cases, individuals and fami- 1999, recognizes the State’s Jesse H. Ruiz Gardner, Carton & Douglas lies faced the problem without responsibility to ensure equal David Stricklin any legal assistance. access to the legal system. It sets Stricklin & Associates In addition, federal funding from forth a wide range of innovative, Arabel Alva Rosales, Commissioner Illinois Human Rights Commission the Legal Services Corporation, cost-effective initiatives to help Roger H. Bickel which is the largest source of sup- low-income people understand Freeborn & Peters LLP port for legal aid, has dropped by the legal system and resolve their Robert Downs, President Illinois State Bar Association 38% over the past fifteen years, routine legal problems more Michael Hyman, President when adjusted for inflation. effectively. Chicago Bar Association Timothy Bertschy, President Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Jennifer Nijman, Chair Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice 2 Maybrook Courthouse Program Helps Abused Women Achieve Independence

O ne month after leaving her were returned to Maria later that day. But often times, obtaining an husband who had abused her for The husband was arrested for domes- order of protection just isn’t enough. more than 16 years, Maria* faced a tic battery as he left the courtroom. The Program helps victims who terrifying situation. Her husband Maria asked Reimherr to represent her have children with their abusers and came to her new home, physically and get her a divorce. who, therefore, also need to obtain assaulted her and took their two It’s clear that without legal help, custody,child support and visitation

“It’s a hard decision to choose between feeding your kids and leaving an abusive situation. I think a lot of women are afraid to seek legal counsel.”

children. Over the next several the fate of Maria and her children schedules. LAF attorneys also assist days, her husband periodically would have been rather grim. The victims in need of a divorce (even if called to tell her that she would Legal Assistance Foundation’s pro- they don’t have children in common never see their children unless she gram, based at the Maybrook with the abuser) in order to divide reconciled with him. Courthouse, aims to help women assets and property that is neces- Maria turned to the Legal Assistance such as Maria free themselves from sary for women to achieve econom- Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago abusive situations. ic security.While addressing these (LAF) and attorney Lori Reimherr “We really want to help women issues is critical to stopping the obtained an emergency order of pro- understand how they can be inde- cycle of domestic violence, they are tection on her behalf which ordered pendent,” said Reimherr. “It’s a hard outside of the purview of the state’s her husband to turn over the children. decision to choose between feeding attorney office. At a hearing a few weeks later, your kids and leaving an abusive sit- “We take an individual and really Reimherr was able to get a plenary uation. I think a lot of women are try to help them improve their order of protection and the children afraid to seek legal counsel.” See Maybrook Cont’d on Page 5

Excellence in Pro Bono & Public Interest Service Award Goes to Michelle Weinberg

Michelle Weinberg, attorney with the Consumer Fraud and the Elderly Project at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, was awarded the ‘Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award’ from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Weinberg, pictured here with Alan Alop, Deputy Director of the Legal Assistance Foundation, was singled out for her work on behalf of four elderly women who were victimized by a fraudu- lent home improvement and predatory loan scheme. Weinberg’s position with the Consumer Fraud and the Elderly project is funded through the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation. The ceremony, which also honored several private attorneys for pro bono work, was held in the Dirksen Federal Building courthouse. Chancery Cont’d from Page 2 They are facing losing their avoid foreclosure. process,” said Dudley,who serves homes in a legal system that is Advice desk attorneys do not as the Supervisor of the Chancery difficult to navigate without legal establish on-going relationships Advice Desk. “They are afraid expertise,” said Dudley. and cannot represent clients in that they will be forced from their The Advice Desk volunteer court. Despite these restrictions, home immediately and have no attorneys help clients with the the attorneys show an unusual idea how to fight back.” court processes and refer them to dedication to their clients. Each client who comes to the further legal services, if needed. Most days, there are more Advice Desk fills out an internal “We assure them that they have clients lined up in need of assis- intake form about themselves legal recourse. We study their tance than the attorneys can and their case. An attorney then case and try to offer the most help. But Dudley says as long as meets one-on-one with the client appropriate and comprehensive a client arrives before closing, to offer advice on the client’s guidance on how they should she tries to offer some guidance. options and next steps. Dudley proceed,” said Dudley. Dudley has been known to says this usually involves filling Many clients have already fall- advise clients in the hallway out legal forms and helping the en victim to one of the countless while on her way to court pro- client contact their lenders. scams that prey on homeowners ceedings for other clients. The legal hurdles leave many facing foreclosure. Dudley says “We do our best to help as feeling helpless and disempow- that poor financial literacy com- many clients who come to the ered. She recalls one client who pounded with the fear of immi- Advice Desk as possible, but we was so convinced that she could nent repossession, make her simply cannot help everyone not fight foreclosure that she clients particularly susceptible who needs it,” said Dudley. “In packed her belongings and aban- to unscrupulous sources offer- the beginning we projected that doned her home without even ing help for a sizable fee. She we would serve 1,200 people exploring her options. often finds herself advising on each year. Our intake informa- “The clients we see are in an how to avoid these scams as tion shows that we served 1,800 extremely vulnerable position. much as she advises on how to See Chancery Cont’d on Page 5

The Equal Justice Illinois Campaign would About the Foundation like to thank the companies and organizations The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation is a non- who provide funding: profit entity created to distribute state funding for legal aid efforts, as outlined in the 1999 ADM Illinois Equal Justice Act. This funding directly Chicago Bar Foundation helps families in crisis, victims of domestic vio- Chicago Community Trust lence and senior citizens facing consumer fraud, estate-planning and health-related issues. Francis Beidler Foundation In order to reach the largest number of Illinois Illinois Bar Foundation residents, Foundation grants fund projects such as legal telephone hotlines for immediate advice Joyce Foundation and referrals; self-help legal desks in courthouses Landau Family Foundation for guidance on simple legal matters; and dispute Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois resolution centers for speedy and less expensive alternatives to litigation. Polk Bros. Foundation Golden Gavel Awards Presented Former Governor Thompson and Former Senate President Rock Honored Former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson and former Illinois Senate President Phil Rock were honored for their leadership of the Equal Justice Illinois Campaign with the 2005 Golden Gavel Awards from CARPLS. CARPLS is Cook County’s legal aid hotline and since 1993, has answered more than 300,000 calls from low-income residents in need of legal assistance. The awards ceremony took place at Northern Trust, with Lester Munson of Sports Illustrated serving as master of ceremonies.

See Chancery Cont’d from Page 4 Maybrook Cont’d from Page 3 go back to their abusers for fear of people in our first year and are on entire situation,” said Reimherr. losing their children in a custody track to serve 3,000 this year.” “We will take care of the immedi- battle or go “on the run” with their Dudley worries, though, about ate problem but we will also han- children, living in temporary shel- the countless others who are not dle other legal proceedings neces- ters and existing on welfare receiving legal advice on their sary. For instance, we recently because they cannot maintain nor- foreclosures. With few resources, helped a client get back her car mal employment. some are left homeless and oth- after it had been repossessed. We In fact, a study by economists at ers are forced to rely on their also work closely with domestic Colgate University and the friends and family to put a roof violence agencies that provide University of Arkansas found that over their heads. counseling in the area.” legal aid is the only service that “In a matter of months, a family The Maybrook program is unique decreases the incidence of domestic can go from living securely in their in that it is one of the few legal aid violence over the long term. Since own home to being completely programs based at a courthouse. legal services help women achieve dependent on their relatives and The Maybrook Courthouse serves economic power and self-sufficien- friends,” said Dudley. “And often- more than 22 western suburbs in cy,legal aid programs are a good times the difference between keep- Cook County. “It’s unusual that place to spend public money, ing and losing their home is a cou- someone can come into the court- according to the study. The econo- ple of minutes of free legal advice.” house and then go to an office and mists concluded that access to legal receive advice on just a broad range services is the primary factor of civil legal issues,” notes Reimherr. behind a 21% decrease in the In Cook County alone, there are reported incidence of domestic For More Information more than 75,000 reported domestic abuse nationwide. violence offenses each year. “We try and really focus on the For more information on the Children are involved in more than client. There is such a need in Equal Justice Illinois Campaign, 60% of these cases. In many cases, these communities,” said Reimherr. please contact Margarite Wypychowski Reimherr notes that abusers will “Unfortunately, we’re forced to turn at (312) 335-0100 use children as bargaining tools in away many women seeking help order to force their spouses or girl- because we just don’t have the fund- or [email protected] friends to stay with them. ing. And if people are forced to rep- or visit www.equaljusticeillinois.org. Without access to legal aid, resent themselves, the justice sys- many victims of domestic violence tem just isn’t working.” 5 Inside this Issue

FALL 2005

State Funding for Legal Aid...... Page 1

AMPAIGN Sees Critical Increase C “Equal Justice for All Is No Longer Just a Slogan . . . It Has Become a Movement.”

LLINOIS Chancery Advice Desk...... Page 2

- Former Illinois Senate President I Offers Guidance to Those Phil Rock in Danger of Losing Their Home Co-Chair, Illinois Equal Justice Campaign Maybrook Courthouse...... Page 3 Program Helps Abused Women

USTICE Achieve Independence J QUAL E