What is Prairie State Legal Services?

Prairie State Legal Services is a not-for-profit corporation that provides free legal help to senior citizens and low-income persons in thirty-six counties in northern and central Illinois. It has service offices in Batavia, Bloomington, Carol Stream, Galesburg, Kankakee, Ottawa, Peoria, Rockford, Rock Island, Waukegan, and Joliet.

Prairie State charges no fees except for court filing costs. Prairie State Legal Services provides help to people regardless of race, creed, color, age, sex, disability or national origin.

Services are primarily provided by licensed attorneys. Paralegals also provide services in some offices. In-house volunteers, some of them attorneys are also an important part of the staff in some offices. In addition, many attorneys and law firms actively participate in pro bono programs, volunteering to represent persons in need.

Prairie State’s Board of Directors is made up primarily of attorneys selected by local bar associations and low-income persons selected by community groups. An attorney and a low-income representative represent each service area.