News
With 50 years of experience providing high quality, free legal services to low-income Chicagoans, CVLS and its volunteers are often recognized for their outstanding work.
News
child representative training
New and Improved Child Representative Training
On April 24, 2018, CVLS will present a live, updated version of our Child Representative Training Seminar. Deputy Director Phil Mohr and Staff Attorney Rob Zielinski will help interested volunteer attorneys learn about and explore the world of serving as a Child Representative and Guardian ad Litem in the Cook County Domestic Relations Division. Following the three-hour training, volunteers will be prepared to take Child Rep cases on a pro bono basis through CVLS.
a pro bono star is born
A New Generation
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Jonathan Adair, Kirkland & Ellis LLP |
Kirkland & Ellis LLP held their Pro Bono Reception on March 1st to honor their associates who have gone above and beyond in their pro bono work in the past year. CVLS Board Member, Jordan Heinz, metaphorically passed the torch on to Jonathan Adair who was given the Associate Pro Bono All-Stars award for his ongoing work with CVLS. Jordan formerly served on the CVLS Junior Board and Jonathan is a current Junior Board Member.
Court update
Court update - Local Rule 39
Starting March 1, lawyers filing electronically with the 1st District Appellate Court will have to submit six duplicate paper copies of briefs and appendices with the circuit clerk’s office within five days. Local Rule 39 was entered on January 30 and is intended to be “temporary”.
Extremely execrable ex
Working Together to Ensure Safe Living Environments for Our Elderly Clients
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Matthew Hulstein, CVLS Supervising Attorney, Access to Justice Program |
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Rob Zielinski, CVLS Staff Attorney, Child Rep Program |
Archangel’s husband abandoned his family, drained their bank accounts, and stopped paying the mortgage. The lender wouldn’t talk to Archangel because the house and loan were in her husband’s name. They divorced and Archangel was awarded the house along with the mortgage. But, her ex refused to sign a deed and the lender still wouldn’t talk to her. Foreclosure loomed.
Mental Health Pro Bono Pilot Program to Launch
Every year, nearly one in five Americans will experience a mental health crisis or concern, and countless more will watch a loved one struggle with mental illness. Working to ensure access to appropriate care and services for someone with mental illness can be overwhelming. Friends and family often receive conflicting information and struggle to understand the medical, legal, and supportive services that are available, how they intersect, and how they can be accessed by or on behalf of a loved one.
Setting the Record Straight
Don't Mess with This Guardian Angel
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Sebastien Angel, Schiff Hardin LLP |
Disabled from two massive strokes, Patricia relies on her Section 8 voucher to keep her family safely housed. Last year, police pressured her landlord to evict her because they thought she was harboring criminals. The landlord complied, despite having no evidence of any crime. Then, because an eviction violates Section 8 rules, the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) moved to terminate her voucher. Although she did her best to defend herself at the HACC hearing, the Hearing Officer ruled against her.
e-filing Drama continues
Mandatory e-filing pushed to June 30, 2018
The Illinois Supreme Court has approved a six-month extension of mandatory e-filing in response to a petition from Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown. The petition was made due to information received by the Circuit Clerk’s office that the some central functions of the new Odyssey EFileIL system would not be ready for operation by January 1, the high court’s original deadline.
NEW EVICTION ODER ISSUED
The Illinois Supreme Court forms committee has revised Section 4 of the Eviction Order. The revised version is now available on the Supreme Court’s Website.
Everyone is asked to use the new version (E-O 3500.2) moving forward.
PUBLICATION UPDATE
Exciting News
There is now only one publication desk on the 8th floor of the Daley Center. The 12th floor desk has been closed. For cases in all division/departments, please use the 8th floor desk to publish.
The law bulletin will now accept clsp’s as payment. You no longer need to file a motion for free publication, and submit an order for free publication. This avoids an irritating step in the previous process.
The (Not So) Fairy Tale of the Copyright Troll
Extortion Scam Thwarted
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Susan Malter, Susan Malter Law |
Picture this. You open up your mail one day to find a threatening letter from a high-powered attorney. The letter says that you illegally downloaded a movie and violated copyright law. You read a little further to find out you have to pay $3,000 to settle the lawsuit, or potentially face $150,000 dollars in legal fees.