Carbondale-based legal aid organizations win state grants

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 million in state grants to 23 nonprofit programs that provide free legal assistance and information to struggling Illinois residents.

Three of them have direct connections to southern Illinois.

Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, which serves residents in central and southern Illinois and has an office in Carbondale, was awarded a $265,000 grant. The money will fund legal assistance for residents facing consumer and family law issues, as well as a hotline providing legal advice and guidance on how to use the court system….