Page Updated: October 08, 2002

Prairie State in the News

PRESS RELEASE
Rep. Jack Franks

News and Articles About Prairie State
and Legal Services

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 Rock Island Office in the News (March 3, 2006)

Prairie State has a new Executive Director (January 11, 2006)

State Farm Insurance and Prairie State Legal Services Honored for Corporate Pro Bono Project (Feb 26, 2004)

Getting Your Voice Heard (Aug 18, 2003)

State Supports Limited Legal Help (May 19, 2003)

Self-defenders Get a Friend of Court (Mar 9, 2003)

Domestic Violence Symposium March 24, PSLS co-sponsors (Mar 6, 2003)

Equal Justice Foundation Grants 2003 (Jan 9, 2003)

Access to Legal Aid Lowers Domestic Abuse (Jan 8, 2003)

Legal Services Role in the Decline in Domestic Violence (Dec 6, 2002)

Open Letter to KCBA Members (Dec 6, 2002)

Prairie State Rated as a 4-Star Charity (Nov 27, 2002)

Fund Cutbacks Shrink Legal Help for Poor (Nov. 20, 2002)

Volunteer Attorney Assists People in Need (Nov 9, 2002)

Prairie State Legal Services is There When You Need Them (Nov 2002)

Hesed House provides legal help (Oct. 14, 2002)

You Have Rights When Your Landlord Decides to Evict (Oct. 10, 2002)

Justice Kilbride Addresses 25th Anniversary Luncheon: Announces New Funding (Oct. 8, 2002)

Annual Fee to Rise $49; Legal Aid Gets Boost (Oct. 4, 2002)

Prairie State Helps Custodial Grandparents Face Hard Road (Sept. 29, 2002)

Legal Services Funds May be Cut (Sept. 8, 2002)

State Funding for Legal Aid Continued in FY 2003 (Aug. 14, 2002)

Free Legal Service on the Wane (Aug. 30, 2002)

Drop in Indigent 'Bad News' For Legal Aid Funding Here (July 30, 2002)

Franks Makes Legal Services to Disabled Possible In McHenry County (Apl. 2, 2002)

Franks Makes Legal Services to Disabled Possible
through Prairie State Legal Services

McHENRY COUNTY, IL – Just when Governor Ryan is proposing harmful statewide cuts in program services for people with disabilities, one state legislator is credited with increasing services for the disabled through his member initiative. 

State Rep. Jack Franks secured a $10,000 grant for Prairie State Legal Services, a not for profit provider of free civil legal help for low income individuals, families and groups.  It is Prairie State Legal Services’ plan to use the grant to help residents with severe disabilities meet their basic needs for subsistence income and shelter.

“The project is needed because disabled individuals often are unable to advocate on their own behalves in Social Security matters, fair housing claims and similar matters,” said Linda Rothnagel, Managing Attorney at Prairie State Legal Services in Waukegan.  “We’re thrilled to have Rep. Franks help us with our goals to ensure both the disabled and their advocates are aware of their rights and that those in need of legal services are able to access those services.”

Under this program, an individual assisted by Prairie State to obtain their SSI may avoid homelessness and poverty, and be less reliant on emergency shelters, food pantries and other local resources. 

“I am proud to help Prairie State Legal Services and the disabled in McHenry County,” said Rep. Franks.  “I have been impressed with the work done through Prairie State and I’m sure our county will be enhanced with their current project.”

The grant project is currently going through the approval process in the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, and will eventually require the Governor’s approval.

Update: September 20, 2002 - The final steps needed to implement this project are currently under way and it is anticipated that the project will begin in full in January of 2003.

Copyright 2002 Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED