Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Illinois
A. Senior Legal Hotline: Telephone Counseling Service (800) 531-7057
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Lee Beneze
Illinois Department on Aging
421 E. Capitol Ave., Ste. 100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789
(217) 524-7945; fax (217) 524-9644;
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Sally Petrone
Illinois Department on Aging
421 E. Capitol Ave., Ste. 100
Springfield, IL 62701-1789
(217) 785-3143; fax (217) 524-9644
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to http://www.lsc.gov
Northwestern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
2576 Charles St.
Rockford, Illinois 61103
(800) 542-8402; (815) 226-4901
Web: www.nwilaaa.org
Serves DeKalb, Boone, Carroll, JoDaviess, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago, Lee and Whiteside Counties
Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 939-0727; (800) 528-2000 (630) 293-5990
Web: www.ageguide.org
Serves Kane, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, Will, Kankakee, Grundy and Kendall Counties
Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging
727 37th Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
(800) 322-1051; (309) 793-6800
Web: www.wiaaa.org
Serves Henderson, Warren, Knox, McDonough, Fulton, Lee, Bureau, Putnam, LaSalle, Grundy
Whiteside, Rock Island and Mercer Counties
Central Illinois Agency on Aging, Inc.
(877) 777-2422; (309) 674-2071
Serves Fulton, Stark, Marshall, Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties
East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
1003 Maple Hill Road
Bloomington, IL 61704-9327
(800) 888-4456; (309) 829-2065
Web: www.eciaaa.org
Serves Champaign, Ford, and Vermilion, Macon, DeWitt, Piatt, Shelby, Moultrie, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Clark, Livingston, McLean and Iroquois Counties
West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging
(800) 252-9027; (217) 223-7904
Serves Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Hancock and Pike Counties
Project LIFE Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
(800) 252-2918; (217) 787-9234
Web: www.seniorsprojectlife.org
Serves Cass, Christian, Greene, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, and Scott Counties
Area Agency on Aging of Southwestern Illinois
(800) 326-3221; (618) -222-2561
Web: www.answersonaging.com
Serves Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington Counties
Midland Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Box 1420; 434 S. Poplar St
Centralia, Il 62801
(877) 532-1853; (618) 532-1853
Web: www.midlandaaa.org
Serves Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jefferson and Marion Counties
Southeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
(800) 635-8544; (618) 262-2306
Egyptian Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
200 E. Plaza Dr.
Carterville, IL 62918
(888) 895-3306; (618) 985-8311
Web: www.egyptianaaa.org
Serves Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, and Williamson Counties
Chicago Department on Aging
(312) 744-4016
Web: www.cityofchicago.org/Aging
Serves Chicago
Suburban Area Agency on Aging
(800) 699-9043; (708) 383-0258
Web: www.suburban-age.org
Serves Cook County
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Illinois State Bar Association
Elder Law Section
Daniel C Hawkins, Chair
424 S. Second Street
Springfield, IL 62701-1779
(217) 525-1760; (800) 252-8908; fax (217) 525-0712
Web: http://www.illinoisbar.org/
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Illinois Chapter
Amy DeLaney, Esq.
President, Illinois Chapter of NAELA
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(708) 361-8819
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Special Panels for Elderly (Pro Bono/Reduced Fee)
Illinois Citizens for Better Care (ICBC)
220 S. State St., #800
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 663-5120; fax (312) 427-0181
ICBC operates an informal referral bank of attorneys experienced in handling nursing home residents cases. Arrangements range from pro bono to full fee.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
University of Illinois College of Law
504 East Pennsylvania Ave.
Champaign, IL 61820
The University of Chicago Law School
1111 E. 60th St.
Chicago, IL 60637
(773) 702-9494
DePaul University College of Law
25 East Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-2287
(800) 428-7453
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Illinois Institute of Technology
565 W. Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60661-3691
(312) 906-5000; fax (312) 906-5280
The John Marshall Law School
315 S. Plymouth Ct.
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 427-2737
Loyola University Chicago
School of Law
One East Pearson St., Rm. 430
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 915-7120
Northwestern University School of Law
357 E. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 503-3100
Southern Illinois University School of Law
Mail code 6804, Rm. 137
Lesar Law Bldg.
Carbondale, IL 62901-9912
(618) 453-8765
Northern Illinois University College of Law
Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic
319 W. State St.
Rockford, IL 61101
I. Attorney General's Office
Lisa Madigan, Attorney General
James R. Thompson Ctr.
100 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60601-3281
(321) 814-3000
Web: www.IllinoisAttorneyGeneral.gov
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Illinois Client Assistance Program
100 N. First St., 1st Fl.
Springfield, IL 62702
(217) 782-5374; fax (217) 524-1790
Equip for Equality, Inc.
20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 341-0022; (800) 537-2632; fax (312) 341-0295
K. Dispute Resolution
The Mediation Council of Illinois
60B Terra Cotta Ave., PMB 146
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
(312) 641-3000
Web: http://www.mediationillinois.org
Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale
School of Law
114 Lesar Law Bldg.
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 453-3257
Mediation services for resolution of disputes involving older Americans are provided by the clinic and Legal Clinic for the Elderly of Southern Illinois University School of Law. Third-year law students trained in mediation receive the referrals, contact the persons involved, explain mediation process, and if mediation is desired, set up the mediation at a convenient time and place. Law faculty and students make numerous presentations to senior services network concerning their services.
L. Other Projects
None listed
