Third Municipal District Courthouse
2121 Euclid, Lower Level
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Advocates from the “Between Friends” social service agency assist petitioners seeking orders of protection.
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Mediators from the Center for Conflict Resolution provide trained mediators to litigants in eviction matters. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where an impartial mediator helps parties generate ideas to settle their conflict. Mediation services are provided to parties free of charge, and are provided at the times and locations listed below.
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60602
When: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00
Fifth Municipal District Courthouse
10220 S. 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455
When: Tuesday, 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. &
Wednesday, 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Parkway., Markham, IL 60426
When: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Mediators from the Center for Conflict Resolution provide trained mediators to litigants in small claims, pro se court. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process where an impartial mediator helps parties generate ideas to settle their conflict. Mediation services are provided to parties free of charge, and are provided at the times and locations listed below.
Richard J. Daley Center
50 W. Washington, Chicago, IL 60602
When: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00
Second Municipal District Courthouse
5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, IL 60077
When: Monday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Third Municipal District Courthouse
2121 Euclid Avenue, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
When: Friday, 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fourth Municipal District Courthouse
1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, IL 60153
When: Monday, 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Fifth Municipal District Courthouse
10220 S. 76th Avenue, Bridgeview, IL 60455
When: Tuesday mornings, 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. &
Wednesday, 9:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Parkway., Markham, IL 60426
When: Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Parkway
Cook County Law Library
Lower Level , Room 072
Markham, Illinois 60428
Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m, Tuesday and Friday
Consultation with an attorney on contract dispute/debt collection, landlord/tenant and other consumer law cases
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Richard J. Daley Center
14th Floor, Room 1401
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
No phone
No appointments, first come, first served
Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday through Friday, except court holidays
• Post-judgment debt collection, plaintiff and defendant
The Collection Advice Desk provides free legal advice and brief services to people without lawyers who are representing themselves in court (also called pro se litigants) in proceedings to collect on monetary judgments such as wage garnishments, bank account freezes, and citations to discover assets. Advice is also available to pro se defendants as well as pro se plaintiffs seeking to collect judgments. On-site attorneys from CARPLS (Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services) also provide information on court procedures, and advice on defenses and exemptions to collection that the pro se litigant can raise.
The Collection Desk is administered by CARPLS.
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Third Municipal District Courthouse
2121 Euclid
Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
Domestic Relations Courtroom
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
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Richard J. Daley Center
CL16
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
No phone
No appointments, first come, first served
Hours: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays
• Uncontested divorces
• Free legal consultations on simple family matters such as custody and visitation issues for low-income clients who cannot afford the services of an attorney
• Assistance in resolving issues after the entry of a divorce order
The Domestic Relations Advice Desk is staffed by attorneys from CARPLS (Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services). In some cases, the CARPLS attorneys can draft documents for litigants who have eligible cases; however they do not represent litigants in court and cannot offer ongoing services in contested cases. The purpose of the Advice Desk is to help people represent themselves in court on simple family matters and to resolve issues after the entry of a divorce order, called a judgment of dissolution. Litigants should bring any relevant court documents with them.
The Domestic Relations Advice Desk is administered by CARPLS.
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Maywood Courthouse
1500 Maybrook Drive
Maywood, Illinois 60153
2nd floor
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Advocates assist petitioners in filling out court forms seeking orders of protection.
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Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Parkway
Room 202G
Markham, Illinois 60428
Hours: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
• Civil orders of protection
• Consultation with an attorney on domestic violence issues
• Legal representation for civil orders of protection
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(Formerly known as "Pro Bono Advocates" (PBA))
Domestic Violence Courthouse
555 West Harrison Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Phone: (312)325-9155
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays
A walk-in clinic where attorneys provide free legal services for victims of domestic violence who are seeking civil orders of protection. Free legal representation in divorces for victims married to abusers is also available.
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Richard J. Daley Center
CL16
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday
(except court holidays)
The Elder Help Desk sees both scheduled appointments and walk-in clients.
The Elder Help Desk is staffed by attorneys from the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services (LAS) who provide brief legal aid services, including legal advice and simple document drafting, and referrals for persons ages 60 years and older.
The Elder Help Desk provides brief legal aid services in the areas of family, consumer, and housing law.
On the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, the desk also operates Power of Attorney clinics, also from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., by appointment only.
To make an appointment, call (312) 986-4105.
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Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Parkway
Rooms 202G
Markham, Illinois 60428
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday - Friday
• Consultation with an attorney on landlord/tenant issues
• Legal representation for eviction proceedings
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Richard J. Daley Center
10th Floor, Room 1006
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
(312)738-2452
Special Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday and Wednesday
• Expungement and sealing of criminal records
• Must have Chicago criminal record/RAP sheet for Chicago cases before coming to the desk
Operated by Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA), this desk can help individuals clear their criminal backgrounds by applying for expungement and sealing and providing advice and referrals for other remedies, including health care worker waivers and certificates of good conduct.
CGLA also accepts online applications on their website: https://www.cgla.net/get-legal-help.
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Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 South Kedzie Parkway
Room 102J
Markham Illinois 60428
The In-person Help Desk is temporarily closed due to COVID. CGLA also accepts online applications on their website: https://www.cgla.net/get-legal-help.
- Expungement and sealing of criminal records
- Must have criminal record/RAP sheet for Chicago cases before coming to the Desk
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Richard J. Daley Center
CL-16
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday*
*Except court holidays
*The desk may need to close occasionally for staffing purposes.
Walk-in foreclosure advice only on a first come, first served basis.
No phone.
No appointments.
The Foreclosure Advice Desk provides free legal consultations to persons representing themselves in only foreclosure cases pending in the Mortgage Foreclosure Section of the Chancery Division.
The desk is staffed by an attorney who provides legal advice and assistance with simple court pleadings relating to foreclosure cases. The attorney does not represent clients in court and cannot offer ongoing services.
The Foreclosure Advice Desk is a cooperative effort of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc.
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69 West Washington Street, Room 1020
Chicago, IL 60602
(across the street from the Richard J. Daley Center)
Phone: (312)603-0135
Fax: (312)603-9766
No appointment necessary, but available upon request
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays
• Application for guardianship of a minor
• Free assistance in preparing court documents
• Referrals for more complex cases
Brochure
Guardianship for Minors: What Prospective Guardians Need to Know, 2016
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Cook County Juvenile Center
1100 South Hamilton Avenue
Ground Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60612
First come, first served
Walk-ins only: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
For more information, please call: (312) 229-6072
Note: The Juvenile Expungement Help Desk is operating remotely during the pandemic.
Assistance available for only Cook County records
• FREE legal assistance to expunge (erase) criminal records that occurred before the age of 18
• Our staff will obtain criminal records, complete court petitions to expunge records, and for those who qualify, will represent client in court to expunge records at NO COST
• No need to bring RAP sheet; we can obtain Chicago Police Department records and fingerprint for Illinois State Police records on-site; all that is required is a valid ID
The desk is operated by the L.A.F (Legal Assistance Foundation) and Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA)
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Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 S. Kedzie Parkway
Cook County Law Library
Basement Room 072, Markham, Illinois 60428
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
• Find legal information and court forms online with the help of a navigator
• Access via phone to CARPLS Legal Aid hotline to speak with attorneys who can provide help and referrals to address legal problems
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Richard J. Daley Center
CL16
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
No phone
No appointments, first come, first served
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.Monday through Friday, except court holidays
• Cases pending in the Municipal Department under $50,000
• Evictions
• Contract disputes/debt collection
This desk provides free legal assistance to low income persons that includes legal advice, help with the preparation of court documents such as motions and pleadings and assistance with settlement negotiations. The desk is staffed by attorneys, as well as volunteer attorneys and interns and law students under direct supervision of the attorneys. Referrals are made when direct legal representation is required and available.
The desk is supported by the Circuit Court of Cook County, the Chicago Bar Foundation and CARPLS (Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services).
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Richard J. Daley Center
Domestic Relations Division
Parentage and Child Support Court
Concourse Level, Room CL24
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
No phone
No appointments, first come, first served
Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except court holidays
- Child support issues
- Paternity issues
- Judicial cases
- Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services administrative cases
The Parentage and Child Support Pro Se Advice Desk provides free legal assistance to people without lawyers who are representing themselves in court (also called pro se litigants) on child support and paternity matters. In addition, the Desk also sees post-decree litigants with modification of child support issues.
Desk attorneys provide legal advice, summarize and explain the law, and prepare fact specific pleadings such as motions to modify support, quash service or vacate orders (if warranted) as well as responses to complaints and petitions for rule to show cause.
The Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc. administers the Parentage and Child Support Pro Se Advice Desk.
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Fifth Municipal District Courthouse
10220 South 76th Avenue
Bridgeview, Illinois 60453
Lower Level, Cafeteria
Tuesdays only, 8 a.m. to 12 noon
Phone: (708) 371-4930
Legal assistance provided by the Southwest Suburban Bar Association
for:
- Landlord/tenant disputes
- Breach of contract claims
- Small claims matters
- Filing of wills
- Orders of protection
- Expungement paperwork review
- Limited matters relating to divorce/custody/parentage
Referrals to an attorney also available.
The Pro Bono attorney cannot represent clients in court.
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Sixth Municipal District Courthouse
16501 South Kedzie Parkway
Lower Level
Markham, Illinois 60428
Hours: 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Thursday
- Consultation with an attorney on legal issues
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Richard J. Daley Center
12th floor, Room 1202
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
No phone
No appointments, first come, first served
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays
(Pro se petitioners seeking assistance should arrive by 11:00 am.)
- for petitions to obtain guardianship of an adult with a disability or disabilities
- Free assistance with court forms and procedures such as scheduling a hearing, service of summons and notice
Volunteer attorneys at the Pro Se Adult Guardianship Help Desk provide information and assistance to people without lawyers who are representing themselves in court (also known as pro se litigants) on petitions to obtain guardianship of an adult with a disability or disabilities and appointment of a guardian of the person for that adult. Staff at the Help Desk are not able to assist pro se litigants with guardianship proceedings in which appointment of a guardian of the estate will be required or which are likely to be contested. Staff do not provide legal advice and do not represent petitioners in court. Persons who require legal advice or legal representation are referred to legal aid organizations and lawyer referral services.
The Adult Guardianship Help Desk is administered by the Center for Disability and Elder Law, Inc.
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Richard J. Daley Center
6th Floor, Room 602
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312)603-5626
Walk-ins accepted
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays
• Recovery of monetary damages up to $3,000
• Includes auto damage, clothing loss or damage, debt collection and tenant/landlord claims
Both plaintiffs and defendants without lawyers can receive free assistance for their cases in the Pro Se Branch of the Small Claims Court of the First Municipal District. Help includes interpreting and filling out court documents, and providing information on required court fees and on how to follow orders entered by the court.
Staff does not provide legal advice.
The Pro Se Filing Desk is administered by the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Guidebook: How to Initiate a Lawsuit in the Pro Se Branch of Small Claims Court
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Richard J. Daley Center
50 West Washington Street
6th Floor, Room 602
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Hours vary, based on availability of volunteer law students
Monday through Friday, except court holidays
• Find legal information and court forms online in over 20 areas of law with the help of a law student
• A search tool for free and low-cost legal representation
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Second Municipal District Courthouse
5600 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Hours: 10 a.m. – 12 noon,Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Expungement and sealing of criminal records
• Must have criminal record/rap sheet before coming to the Desk
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Second Municipal District Courthouse
5600 Old Orchard Road
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Hours: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Fridays
• Consultation with an attorney on landlord/tenant issues
• Legal assistance for eviction proceedings
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Maywood Courthouse
1500 Maybrook Drive
Maywood, Illinois 60153
Hours: Mondays, only while court is in session
A volunteer attorney from the West Suburban Bar Association
is available in court to assist pro se litigants in drafting court orders in civil matters.
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