News You Can Use
Some Ill. Tenants Face Rental Assistance Obstacles From Unlikely Source- Their Landlord
Advocates tell NBC 5 Responds they are frequently hearing from tenants blocked from rental assistance due to a lack of cooperation from their landlord. While an eviction ‘tsunami’ was widely forecast, emergency rental assistance dollars have played a pivotal role in calming the waters. Yet some tenants are facing obstacles when trying to apply for assistance to cover back-rent owed, obstacles coming from an unlikely source: their landlord, who they owe back-rent to. A new law on Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk could help future tenants who find themselves in
“New Leaf” program offers cannabis record expungement
Marijuana has been legal in Illinois since January of 2020. As part of that legislation, the first in the country to be passed by a state legislature, some people with prior cannabis records had them expunged. While hundreds of thousands of people with cannabis on their record had it wiped clean – making it easier to get a job or rent an apartment - others who are still eligible, are waiting. A program called New Leaf, a statewide, state-funded initiative that provides legal services to people who are hoping to have their records
OP-ED: The State of Illinois no longer considers cannabis a crime, so why does your record say otherwise?
OP-ED: The State of Illinois no longer considers cannabis a crime, so why does your record say otherwise? CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
Turn Over a New Leaf this Spring: Expunge Your Cannabis Record
With 2022 in full swing, New Leaf Illinois will continue its efforts to expunge cannabis records for Illinoisans across the state. Last year, New Leaf provided services to residents in more than 60% of Illinois counties – helping people of all demographics get a fresh start by removing barriers to employment, education, housing and more. New Leaf Illinois launched in November 2020, and last year was its first full year serving Illinois. CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
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
Legal aid group receives grant
ALTON — Land of Lincoln Legal Aid has received a $265,000 grant from the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF). The funds were part of more than $1.3 million in grants awarded 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...... CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
Turning over a new leaf
Last week marked the end of two years of legalized cannabis use in Illinois, and as growers, distributors and dispensaries seek licenses and Illinoisans over the age of 21 ponder their options as consumers, a state-funded effort is afoot to reach out to those whose past cannabis convictions can now be expunged or vacated. CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
LETTER: Help veterans with legal issues
One of the military’s most famous mottos is ‘Leave no person behind.’ As we soon commemorate Veterans Day, it’s important to remember that when many service members return home, the reality is far different. Too many Illinois veterans are left to fend for themselves when dealing with serious legal problems CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
LETTER: Program offers legal help to Illinois veterans
Editor, Register-Mail: One of the U.S. military’s most famous mottos is "Leave no person behind." As we get ready to commemorate Veterans Day, it’s important to remember that when many of our service members return home, the reality is far different. Too many Illinois veterans are left to fend for themselves when dealing with serious legal problems..... CLICK HERE TO READ STORY
‘Leave no person behind’ – Southern Illinoisan Guest View column
One of the U.S. military’s most famous mottos is ‘Leave no person behind.’ As we get ready to commemorate Veterans Day, it’s important to remember that when many of our service members return home, the reality.... CLICK HERE TO READ STORY