The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) is seeking proposals for two initiatives.
Disability Access Grant
The ATJ Commission and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts have issued the 2026 Request for Proposals for the Disability Access Grant, an initiative that advances accessibility and reduces barriers to equal access to courts for people with disabilities.
The application and grant policy are available here. Proposals will be accepted through October 10, 2025.
The Disability Access Grant recognizes that courts have an obligation to address accessibility barriers and provide equal access to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, and the Illinois Supreme Court Policy on Access for People with Disabilities.
All courts have made extensive efforts to make their programs, services, and facilities open and accessible to all court users, regardless of their disabilities. The ATJ Commission hopes the Disability Access Grant will help bridge any gaps and encourage new initiatives to continue this progress.
Courts, clerks, sheriffs or bailiffs, state’s attorneys, and public defenders can apply for Disability Access Grants. Grant funds may be used for many activities or projects that address barriers to equal access to court for people with disabilities.
For more information, contact August Hieber, Sr. Program Manager, Access to Justice Division, at 312.646.0250 or ahieber@illinoiscourts.gov.
Access to Justice Awards
The ATJ Commission has released a call for nominations for two awards that recognize and celebrate exceptional contributions to increasing access to the court system by improving the experience of litigants.
- The Jeffrey D. Colman Access to Justice Award is given to a lawyer, paralegal, or courthouse employee who has made a significant or meaningful contribution to improving access to our court system for litigants who are self-represented, limited English proficient, disabled, or otherwise vulnerable.
- The Thomas L. Kilbride (Ret.) Judicial Access to Justice Award is given to a member of the judiciary who has made a significant or meaningful contribution to increasing access to the court system by improving the experience of litigants.
The application is available here. Nominations will be accepted through October 15, 2025.
Award winners will be announced in December, and a reception to celebrate the award recipients will be held in the spring.
For more information, contact Jill Roberts, Deputy Director, Access to Justice Division, at jroberts@illinoiscourts.gov.
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