Each year, state funding of civil legal aid, distributed through the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, helps tens of thousands of struggling Illinoisans access legal help to keep their families safe, pay their bills, and stay in their homes.

But right now in Illinois, only 1 in 6 people are able to get legal help for a major, life-changing civil legal problem, like eviction, child custody or domestic violence.   And there are just 500 legal aid attorneys to serve the more than 2 Million Illinoisans living in poverty.

That’s why it’s vital the state of Illinois continues to prioritize funding for Illinois’ front-line legal aid providers.

Investing in legal aid makes smart fiscal sense.  Like preventative health care, legal aid addresses problems early to keep them from escalating.

Having legal assistance can mean the difference between homelessness and a roof overhead for families. It protects disabled veterans, vulnerable elderly residents and mentally ill individuals from being victimized.

Civil legal aid also reduces repeat occurrences of domestic violence and helps children leave foster care more quickly.