John was gainfully employed and paying his bills every month. One car accident in 2012 changed all of that. A judge found John at fault for the accident, placing him $21,000 in debt to the other driver’s insurance company.

When he could not pay the judgment, his license was suspended, subsequently crippling his employment options. John had received an offer for a new, better-paying job as a security guard, but without his license, he could not drive to work.

He also could not afford to pay an attorney to represent him. That’s when IEJF grantee Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) stepped in. CVLS handled John’s Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Once the crippling debt was discharged, they sent proof to the Secretary of State, and John’s license was immediately reinstated. Thanks to CVLS, John now has a good paying job and is out of debt.

This case illustrates how one incident can dramatically impact someone’s life. Legal aid prevents problems like this from spiraling out of control so people struggling to make ends meet get the fair shot they deserve.

CVLS‘ mission is to coordinate, support and promote the voluntary pro bono legal representation of the Chicago area’s poor and working poor.  With more than 50 years of experience, CVLS is the first and pre-eminent pro bono civil legal aid provider in Chicago. Thanks to over 2,300 volunteer attorneys CVLS provides the most comprehensive, efficient and cost-effective civil legal aid in Chicago.  CVLS has been an IEJF grantee since our first grant cycle in 2001.  The IEJF has supported CVLS’ bankruptcy work since 2016.