Help Desks in the Court House

Below is a list of Help Desks for the Circuit Court of Cook County, categorized by legal matters

    Domestic Violence (Orders of Protection)

    Order of Protection Clinic - Ascend Justice

    Legal advice from attorneys for victims of domestic violence seeking civil orders of protection 

    • Legal representation in divorces for victims of domestic violence may also be available 

    Location: Domestic Violence Courthouse, Suite 1900
    555 West Harrison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607
    Phone: (312) 239-0413
    Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis
    • Call to get help remotely

    Domestic Violence Court Advocates - Between Friends

    Help from court advocates for victims of domestic violence seeking orders of protection 

    Location: Rolling Meadows Courthouse (Third Municipal District), Lower Level
    2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008
    Phone: (847) 818-8900
    Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis

    Domestic Violence Advocates Office

    Advocates who assist petitioners in filling out court forms seeking orders of protection

    Locations:

    Suburban Courthouse Domestic Violence Help Desks - Legal Aid Chicago

    Help from attorneys on domestic violence issues from attorneys, including filing civil Orders of Protection and related family law matters

    • Legal representation available for some civil order of protection proceedings

    Locations: 

    Expungements

    Adult Expungement Help Desk - Cabrini Green Legal Aid

    Legal advice and help with court paperwork for expunging or sealing criminal records

    • Must have criminal record/rap sheet to be helped
    • Cook County arrests and court cases only

    Location: Richard J. Daley Center, Room 1006 (10th Floor)
    50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
    Phone: (312) 738-2452
    Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis

    Online: cgla.net/get-legal-help 

    • Apply online to get help remotely for any arrests of cases in Cook County, including Chicago and the suburbs 

    Expungement Help Desk - James B. Moran Center

    Legal advice and help with expunging or sealing criminal records

    • Must have criminal record/rap sheet to be helped

    Location: Skokie Courthouse (Second Municipal District)
    5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, Illinois 60077
    Phone: (847) 492-1410 ext. 102
    Email: contact@moran-center.org
    Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis

    Rich Cozzola Memorial Juvenile Expungement Help Desk ("JEHD") - Legal Aid Chicago

    Help with expunging (erasing) records of arrests and court records for juveniles (arrest or case occurred when under the age of 18)

    • Cook County arrests and court cases only
    • No need to obtain criminal record/rap sheet for help 

    Location: Cook County Juvenile Center, First Floor (next to Clerk’s Office)
    1100 South Hamilton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612
    Phone: (312) 229-6072
    Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. -  4 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis
    Family & Children

    Domestic Relations Advice Desk - CARPLS

    Legal advice for family law cases, including divorce, allocation (custody), parenting time (visitation), and child support

    • Drafting of documents, like petitions, answers, and appearances, available in certain cases
    • Attorneys do not provide representation in court

    Location: Richard J. Daley Center, CL-29 (Concourse Level)
    50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
    Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis
    • Appointments can also be made

    Domestic Relations Help Desk - Legal Aid Society

    Location: Rolling Meadows Courthouse (Third Municipal District)
    2121 Euclid Ave., Rolling Meadows, Illinois 60008 
    Hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. except for court holidays

    Guardianship Assistance Desk for Minors

    Help preparing court documents for guardianship of a minor

    • Referrals for more complex cases

    Location: Dunne Cook County Admin Building, Room 1020
    69 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
    (Across the street from the Richard J. Daley Center)
    Phone: (312) 603-0135
    Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Call to make an appointment 

    The Guardianship Assistance Desk for Minors is a cooperative effort between the Office of the Chief Judge and Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

    Parentage and Child Support Advice Desk - Greater Chicago Legal Clinic

    Legal advice and help with child support and paternity cases

    • Attorneys do not provide representation in court

    Location: Remote services only
    Phone: (312) 796-3070 

    • Call and leave a message with your name and number to receive a call back for help
    General / Other

    Municipal Court Advice Desk - CARPLS

    Legal advice for civil court cases in the Municipal Division

    • Help is not available for cases in the Early Resolution Program (ERP)

    Location: Richard J. Daley Center, CL-29 (Concourse Level)
    50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
    Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Help is available in person Monday - Thursday and remotely (by phone or by Zoom) Monday - Friday
    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis
    • Last client admitted in person at 3:45 and remotely at 4:15

    Zoom Dial-in Phone Number: (312) 626-6799
    Zoom Meeting ID: 477 826 7667 (Link to join Zoom Meeting)

    Self-Help Resurce Center - Chicago-Kent College of Law

    Law students who help navigating online resource like looking up cases, applying for legal aid, and completing court forms 

    • Law student volunteers cannot provide legal advice or representation 

    Location: Richard J. Daley Center, Room 602 (6th Floor)
    50 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602
    Hours: Hours vary, but open most days except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis
    Housing & Eviction

    Eviction Defense Help Desk - Legal Aid Chicago

    Advice and help with legal matters involving landlord/tenant issues, eviction defense including document preparation

    • Legal representation available for some eviction proceedings 

    Location: Markham Courthouse (Sixth Municipal District), Room 202B
    16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Markham, Illinois 60428

    Phone: (312) 332-6041

    • Call and leave a message with your name and number to receive a call back for help

    Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Walk-in help available on Thursdays on a first come, first serve basis
    • Help is available remotely Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays

    Foreclosure Advice Desk - Greater Chicago Legal Clinic 

    Legal advice for foreclosure cases in the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County

    • Attorneys do not provide representation in court

    Location: Richard J. Daley Center, CL-29 (Concourse Level)
    50 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
    Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Desk hours may also vary based on staff availability 
    • Walk-in help available on first come, first serve basis

    The Foreclosure Advice Desk is a cooperative effort of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc.

    Foreclosure Housing Counseling and Legal Aid - Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program (MFMP)

    Help with pending foreclosure actions in Cook County from HUD-Certified Housing Counselors 

    • Assistance negotiating mortgage modifications 

    Location: Varies depending on housing counselor agency 
    Phone: (855) 452-2637 
    Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. except for court holidays

    • Call to make an appointment

    MFMP is a cooperative effort between the Office of the Chief Judge, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and The Chicago Bar Foundation.

    Mediation

    Mediation Service - Center for Conflict Resolution

    Mediation services (when the parties in a case work with a third, neutral person to resolve conflicts outside of court) for small claims, pro se court cases, eviction, family law, and chancery cases pending in the Chancery Division

    • Mediation services are primarily remote (via Zoom) 
    • If your case is already in court, you may request mediation by asking the courtroom clerk or judge
    • Cases may also be referred by attorneys or judges
    • Mediation is voluntary

    Phone: (312) 922-6464 ext. 222
    Email: newcase@ccrchicago.org 
    Locations: