Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost legal aid in Chicago, IL — including real organizations, contact information, what cases they take, eligibility rules, and how residents can prepare before seeking help.
Legal Aid in Chicago, IL: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Chicago and cannot afford a private attorney, you have several well-established legal-aid providers offering free or low-cost civil legal services. These organizations help with housing issues and evictions, domestic violence, debt collection, consumer problems, immigration-related civil matters, family law, public-benefits disputes, and more. Even if they cannot provide full representation, many offer clinics, self-help tools, and limited-scope services. (Users may also upload legal documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Chicago
Legal Aid Chicago
What they do: The primary civil-legal aid organization for Chicago and Cook County. They handle eviction defense, unsafe housing, debt collection, foreclosure prevention, domestic violence and family-law issues, public-benefits denials, special-education matters, employment rights, and immigration-related civil assistance.
Who they help: Low-income individuals and families meeting financial eligibility rules.
How to contact: Intake line: (312) 341-1070. Website: legalaidchicago.org.
CARPLS — Cook County Legal Aid Hotline
What they do: CARPLS provides free legal advice by phone for civil issues including evictions, debt collection, consumer fraud, family law, employment issues, and public benefits. They offer immediate guidance and may refer callers to further assistance.
How to contact: Hotline: (312) 738-9200. Website: carpls.org.
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS)
What they do: CVLS operates a large pro bono attorney network offering free help with guardianship, elder law, housing issues, family law, bankruptcy, immigration-related civil help, and community legal clinics.
How to contact: Phone: (312) 332-1624. Website: cvls.org.
Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (DVLC)
What they do: Provides free legal help for survivors of domestic violence, including assistance obtaining Orders of Protection, safety planning, family-law support, and court advocacy.
How to contact: Phone: (312) 325-9155. Website: dvlcchicago.org.
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) — Statewide Self-Help
What they do: Offers free, plain-language legal guides, automated court forms, eligibility screeners, and resources covering housing, family law, debt, benefits, immigration, and more.
Website: illinoislegalaid.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Chicago
- Evictions and landlord/tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Debt collection, garnishment, repossession, consumer fraud
- Foreclosure defense and mortgage problems
- Domestic violence and Orders of Protection
- Family law: custody, child support, divorce, guardianship
- Public-benefits issues (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, unemployment)
- Immigration-related civil matters (not deportation defense)
- Elder law: exploitation, benefits, housing, guardianship
What Legal Aid Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal cases (felony, misdemeanor, DUI, traffic)
- Business or commercial litigation
- Highly contested or high-asset family-law cases
- Immigration court representation (removal defense)
When Chicago Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Cook County eviction cases move quickly — contact legal aid immediately.
- You experience domestic violence: Seek assistance for an Order of Protection right away.
- You receive debt-collection papers or wage-garnishment notices: Response deadlines are strict — save all documents.
- Your benefits are denied or cut off: Appeals must be filed before set deadlines.
- You have a scheduled court hearing: The earlier you call legal aid, the better.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather all documents: leases, eviction notices, court papers, debt letters, benefit denials, police reports, pay stubs, immigration records, and photos of unsafe housing.
- Create a timeline: dates of notices, payments, incidents, or communications with landlords/creditors/agencies.
- Prepare income information: legal-aid providers screen based on household size and income.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences explaining your issue and the help you need.
- Highlight urgent factors: homelessness risk, domestic violence, disabilities, upcoming hearing dates.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Cook County Self-Help Center: Offers court forms and procedural guidance.
- Chicago Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: Helps residents find private attorneys for reduced-cost consultations.
- Illinois Legal Aid Online: Automated forms and guides for renters, families, and consumers.
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: Residents can upload legal paperwork for a simple English explanation — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Chicago Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Chicago and cannot afford an attorney, begin by contacting Legal Aid Chicago at (312) 341-1070. If they are unable to take your case, CARPLS can provide immediate advice by phone, and CVLS or the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic may assist depending on your issue. When full representation isn’t available, your LegalClarity upload tool helps residents understand legal documents in plain English — informational only, not legal advice.