As we have written about before, the Illinois Access to Justice Commission has been leading the way promoting, facilitating and enhancing equal access to justice to those within the Land of Lincoln since 2012. Their latest endeavor comes in the form of statewide Regional Meetings.
In conjunction with the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts’ (AOIC) Civil Justice Division, the Illinois Access to Justice Commission’s sponsorship of these Regional Meetings has created an outlet for those both in and outside of the legal community to discuss access to justice concerns within Illinois. The Regional Meetings also serve as a way to educate Illinois residents about upcoming initiatives of the Commission, including news about self-represented litigant services and standardization of court forms.
Last week, the first set of Regional Meetings were held in Champaign and Carbondale at the University of Illinois College of Law and at Southern Illinois University Law School. Attendees included court staff, circuit clerks, lawyers, bar association leaders, legal aid providers, social service providers, immigration advocates and law school faculty, but all are welcome to attend.
More of these meetings are scheduled for next week, as we approach August. The upcoming schedule of Regional Meetings follows:
Rock Island
August 2, 2016
RI Justice Center
1401 3rd Avenue
1:00 – 4:00pm
Rockford
August 3, 2016
Winn. Vet. Memorial
211 N. Main Street
9:00am – 12:00pm
Those interested in attending a regional meeting should RSVP to nalawawda@illinoiscourts.gov by July 26. For any additional questions, please contact Danielle Hirsch, Assistant Director, 312-793-2014. The Commission on Access to Justice welcomes any ideas, challenges or solutions now or in the future.
As we receive more updates and news of the meetings, our team at the Commission on Professionalism will keep you in the know.