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Celebrate 4/20 By Expunging Your Past Cannabis Records

Press Release - April 11th, 2023

Free legal resources available to help make a clean slate possible CHICAGO – (April 11, 2023) – With April 20th, otherwise known and celebrated as 4/20, around the corner, those with prior cannabis arrests or convictions should take the time to find out how they can expunge their records. Just because cannabis is legal now,

Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Awards Record Amount of $3.8 Million in State Grants to Legal Aid Organizations

Press Release - February 7th, 2023

(CHICAGO)…. The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) has awarded more than $3.8 million in state grants to 30 nonprofit programs that provide free legal assistance and information to Illinois residents who can’t afford a lawyer – a record amount in the Foundation’s 23-year history.  This increased funding for Fiscal Year 23 was made possible

Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Honors Attorney General Kwame Raoul with Champion of Justice Award

Press Release - June 2nd, 2022

(CHICAGO)…. The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) presented Attorney General Kwame Raoul with its 2022 Champion of Justice Award at its Annual Meeting today.  Attorney General Raoul was singled out for the honor because of his dedication to protecting the legal rights of Illinois’ most vulnerable residents and advocacy for increased state funding of

Illinois Equal Justice Foundation Awards More Than $1.3 Million in State Grants to Legal Aid Organizations

Press Release - January 24th, 2022

(CHICAGO)…. The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) 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.  This funding for 2022 will help more people resolve urgent and life-changing situations like consumer fraud, domestic violence, and family crises. “I appreciate the

New Leaf Illinois celebrates one year of free cannabis expungement services

Press Release - November 15th, 2021

More than 1,300 Illinois residents have taken first step to clearing records, thousands more still eligible CHICAGO (November 15, 2021) – New Leaf Illinois, a five-year pilot program developed by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) that offers free cannabis expungement legal services and consultation through a network of 20 legal aid and advocacy organizations

New Leaf Illinois Launched to Help Clear Cannabis Convictions

Press Release - November 19th, 2020

More than 71,000 Illinoisans eligible for cannabis record expungement if they can navigate through a complicated court process.  New Leaf Illinois can help. CHICAGO (November 19, 2020) – The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF), today announced the launch of New Leaf Illinois, an alliance of 20 organizations to provide free legal and advisory services to

IEJF Hiring Program Officer

Job Announcement - September 23rd, 2020

The Program Officer will manage all three of the IEJF’s grant cycles from top to bottom.  He/she/their will staff the committees associated with each appropriation and report to the Executive Director.  The Program Officer will join a small but mighty team consisting of the Executive Director, two program coordinators (part-time contractors) and a part-time office administrator. The Program Officer is a pivotal member of the team, contributing to idea generation, strategic thinking, organizational networking and collaborative team dynamics. 

ILLINOIS EQUAL JUSTICE FOUNDATION ELECTS BOARD FOR FY 2021

Press release - August 5th, 2020

The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF), the not-for-profit entity responsible for distributing, monitoring and advocating for the state appropriation for civil legal aid for marginalized Illinoisans, proudly announces the newest members of its Board of Directors and its Officers for fiscal year 2021.

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