Helpful Resources

This collection brings together trusted resources—including court directories, government agencies, legal aid organizations, and practical tools—so you can access information with clarity and confidence.

Whether you are researching your rights, preparing for an upcoming matter, or seeking a better understanding of the legal process, these resources are intended to support you along the way. While not a substitute for personalized legal advice, this page serves as a thoughtful starting point—reflecting our commitment to accessible, client-centered guidance.

Family Law Resources

  • The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) is an interdisciplinary organization connecting professionals in family law, mental health, and dispute resolution. — https://www.afccnet.org/

  • Collaborative Divorce Illinois is a statewide network of attorneys, divorce coaches, child specialists, and financial professionals dedicated to helping couples navigate divorce in a respectful, out-of-court setting. — https://collaborativedivorceillinois.org/

  • The Illinois Courts' Resources for Self-Represented Litigants page is a comprehensive hub for individuals navigating the court system without an attorney, offering access to standardized court forms, e-filing guidance, remote court appearance information, and connections to free or low-cost legal help throughout the state. — https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/resources-for-selfrepresented-litigants/

  • This Illinois Courts page provides Supreme Court-approved standardized forms for divorce, child support, maintenance, and parenting plans, all accepted by every Illinois court. Whether you have children or not, the forms come with step-by-step instructions and are also available through a free guided interview tool that walks you through the process and completes the paperwork with your answers. — https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/self-help/resources-for-selfrepresented-litigants/

Kane & DeKalb County Law

  • The DeKalb County Self-Help Legal Center is designed to assist individuals who are representing themselves in court, offering guidance, forms, and resources to help self-represented litigants navigate the court process with greater confidence and clarity. — https://dekalbcounty.org/departments/circuit-clerk/self-help-legal-center/

  • Located in the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, the Kane County Law Library offers public access to a wide range of legal materials, including statutes, case law, and practice guides . — www.ilnd.uscourts.gov

  • The 16th Judicial Circuit Court serves Kane County and is the local court where family law matters (including divorce, child custody, and support cases) are filed and heard. The court's website provides access to court dates, Zoom hearing information, local court rules, and connections to the Kane County Law Library and Self-Help Legal Center. – https://www.illinois16thjudicialcircuit.org/

  • The 23rd Judicial Circuit Court serves DeKalb County and is where family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and support cases are filed and heard. The Circuit Clerk's website, based at the DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore, provides access to court schedules, forms, e-filing information, Zoom hearing links, and connections to the DeKalb County Self-Help Legal Center. – https://dekalbcounty.org/departments/circuit-clerk/

Other Legal Resources & Associations

  • Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) – www.isba.org

    The largest voluntary bar association in the state, focusing on serving lawyers, judges, and law students across Illinois.

    2. Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) – www.illinoisbarfoundation.org

    The charitable arm of the ISBA, offering support to lawyers in need and funding law-related public education.

    3. Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) – www.iltla.com

    An association dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of injured parties through the legal system.

    4. Illinois Criminal Defense Bar Association (ICDBA) – www.icdba.org

    A group that supports the criminal defense bar with resources and advocacy.

    5. Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (IRELA) – www.irela.org

    An organization that supports attorneys practicing real estate law.

    6. Illinois Hispanic Lawyers Association (IHLA) – No official website

    Promotes the interests and advancement of Hispanic lawyers in Illinois.

    7. Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) – www.iadtc.org

    Focuses on promoting the interests of defense attorneys in Illinois.

  • Chicago Bar Association (CBA) – www.chicagobar.org

    One of the largest and oldest metropolitan bar associations in the U.S., serving the Chicago area.

    2. DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) – www.dcba.org

    Represents lawyers in DuPage County, offering legal education and community services.

    3. Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) – www.cookcountybar.org

    The oldest African-American bar association in the U.S., representing African-American attorneys in Cook County.

    4. Lake County Bar Association (LCBA) – www.lakebar.org

    Serves the legal community of Lake County with networking and continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities.

    5. Will County Bar Association (WCBA) – www.willcountybar.org

    Represents the legal community in Will County, providing services like CLE and community outreach.

    6. Kane County Bar Association (KCBA) – www.kcba.org

    Supports legal professionals in Kane County through education, mentoring, and resources.

    7. Peoria County Bar Association (PCBA) – www.peoriabar.org

    Offers legal professionals in Peoria County CLEs and community engagement opportunities.

    8. Winnebago County Bar Association (WCBA) – www.wcbarockford.org

    Represents lawyers in Winnebago County, offering legal resources and public education.

    9. Madison County Bar Association (MCBA) – www.madisoncountybar.org

    Serves attorneys in Madison County, Illinois, with a focus on professional development and community service.

    10. McLean County Bar Association (MCBA) –

    www.mcleancountybarassociation.com

    Provides legal services, education, and resources to attorneys in McLean County.

    11. Champaign County Bar Association (CCBA) – www.champaigncobar.org

    Represents lawyers practicing in Champaign County with educational and

    professional networking opportunities.

    12. St. Clair County Bar Association – No official website

    Provides resources and support for attorneys practicing in St. Clair County.

    13. Rock Island County Bar Association (RICBA) – No official website

    Serves lawyers in Rock Island County with continuing education and networking.

  • Women's Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) – www.wbaillinois.org

    Focuses on promoting the interests of women in the legal profession across

    Illinois.

    2. Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago (AABA) –

    www.aabachicago.org

    Supports Asian American lawyers and promotes diversity in the legal community.

    3. Black Women Lawyers Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA) –

    www.bwla.org

    Advocates for black women lawyers and legal professionals in the Chicago area.

    4. Arab American Bar Association of Illinois (AABAR) – No official website

    Serves Arab American legal professionals in Illinois, promoting inclusion and networking.

    5. Decalogue Society of Lawyers – www.decaloguesociety.org

    A Jewish legal association based in Illinois promoting civil rights and justice.

    6. LGBTQ+ Bar Association of Illinois – No official website

    Supports LGBTQ+ lawyers and legal issues related to the LGBTQ+ community.

    7. South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (SABA) – www.sabachicago.org

    Promotes the interests of South Asian attorneys in the Chicago area.

    8. Korean American Bar Association of Chicago (KABA) –

    www.kabachicago.org

    Represents the interests of Korean American legal professionals in Illinois.

    9. Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois (HBA) – www.hellenicbar.org

    Serves the Greek legal community in Illinois.

    10. Justinian Society of Lawyers (Chicago) – www.justinians.org

    An organization representing Italian-American lawyers in the Chicago area.

  • Illinois Supreme Court – www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/

    The highest court in Illinois, overseeing the administration of justice and final appeals in the state.

    2. Illinois Appellate Court – www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/appellate-court/

    Handles appeals from the Circuit Courts, with five appellate districts spread across the state.

    3. Illinois Circuit Courts – www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/

    The trial courts of general jurisdiction, divided into 24 judicial circuits. They handle civil and criminal cases.

  • University of Chicago Law School – www.law.uchicago.edu

    One of the top law schools in the country, known for its emphasis on

    interdisciplinary legal studies and the Socratic method. The school has a reputation for academic rigor and producing leaders in academia, government, and private practice.

    2. Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law – www.law.northwestern.edu

    Renowned for its innovative approach to legal education, Northwestern offers programs focused on interdisciplinary studies, practical experience, and leadership in law and business. It is also known for its strong emphasis on professional development.

    3. University of Illinois College of Law – www.law.illinois.edu

    Part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the College of Law is known for its strong focus on research, technology, and innovation in law. It offers a comprehensive legal education with special strengths in business, technology, and public interest law.

    4. DePaul University College of Law – law.depaul.edu

    Located in Chicago, DePaul Law has a strong tradition of providing legal education that integrates theory and practice. It is particularly well-known for its programs in intellectual property, health law, and public interest law.

    5. Loyola University Chicago School of Law – www.luc.edu/law

    Known for its commitment to social justice and service, Loyola offers strong programs in child and family law, health law, and public interest law. The school emphasizes ethics and professionalism in legal practice.

    6. Chicago-Kent College of Law (Illinois Institute of Technology) –

    www.kentlaw.iit.edu

    Chicago-Kent offers a broad range of programs, with particular strengths in intellectual property, labor and employment law, and technology law. It is known for its hands-on approach, with legal clinics and trial advocacy programs.

    7. Southern Illinois University School of Law – law.siu.edu

    Located in Carbondale, SIU School of Law emphasizes affordable legal education with a focus on practical training and community service. It is well-regarded for its programs in health law, public interest law, and environmental law.

    8. Northern Illinois University College of Law – www.niu.edu/law

    NIU Law is known for providing an affordable legal education with small class sizes and personalized attention. It offers strong programs in criminal law, civil litigation, and public interest law.

    9. John Marshall Law School (Now University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) – law.uic.edu

    The only public law school in Chicago, UIC Law (formerly John Marshall) is known for its focus on practical skills training, with a strong emphasis on clinical experience. The school offers notable programs in intellectual property law, trial advocacy, and legal writing.

  • Legal Information Institute (LII) – www.law.cornell.edu

    Provides free access to legal information including U.S. Code, Supreme Court decisions, and other federal regulations.

    7. Congress.gov – www.congress.gov

    The official website for U.S. federal legislative information, offering access to bills, laws, congressional records, and committee reports.

    8. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) – www.ecfr.gov

    The eCFR provides access to the codified regulations of federal agencies, updated daily to reflect new rules and amendments.

    9. U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) – www.govinfo.gov

    Provides access to authenticated government publications, including the U.S. Code, federal court opinions, and other legislative and regulatory documents.

  • 10. U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – www.justice.gov

    The DOJ represents the United States in legal matters and is responsible for enforcement of the law and administration of justice.

    11. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – www.fbi.gov

    The FBI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, focusing on federal law enforcement, national security, and criminal investigations.

    12. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – www.sec.gov

    The SEC oversees securities markets, protects investors, and ensures fair practices in the securities industry.

    13. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – www.eeoc.gov

    The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws against workplace discrimination.

    14. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – www.irs.gov

    Provides tax services, guidance, and regulations related to federal tax laws and the IRS’s enforcement of tax policy.

    15. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) – www.dol.gov

    Provides information and regulations on employment law, wage standards, occupational safety, and workplace benefits.

  • 1. United States Courts – www.uscourts.gov

    The official website for the federal judiciary, providing access to court information, case law, and the PACER system for federal court records.

    2. Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) – www.pacer.gov

    An electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from federal appellate, district, and bankruptcy courts.

    3. Supreme Court of the United States – www.supremecourt.gov

    The official website of the U.S. Supreme Court, providing access to court opinions, case information, oral arguments, and other resources.

    4. Federal Judicial Center (FJC) – www.fjc.gov

    The research and education agency for the federal judiciary, providing educational resources for judges and court personnel.

    5. Federal Register – www.federalregister.gov

    The official journal of the U.S. government, containing government agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices.

  • 21. U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) – www.gao.gov

    A nonpartisan agency that provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services for the U.S. Congress.

    22. U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) – www.osc.gov

    Protects federal employees from prohibited personnel practices, such as retaliation for whistleblowing.