Access to Justice
Legal Assistance
CSFA Number: 444-80-2219
STATE AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name
Department Of Human Services (444)
Agency Identification
N/A
Agency Contact
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Short Description
Provision of legal assistance to immigrants and ex-offenders.
Illinois Access to Justice (ILA2J) is a statewide program that seeks to mitigate the
devastating consequences of deportation and family separation on vulnerable communities
by: expanding holistic community-based legal services, providing case management services,
emergency services, providing opportunities for authentic local leadership of affected
individuals, sharing experience and best practices between partner organizations to
increase capacity, and engaging in public discourse about the consequences of deportation.
This will be achieved through mass education provided through Community Navigators and the
provision of legal services and comprehensive case management for immigrants facing
immigration proceedings and social barriers with the goal of keeping families together.
Additionally, if the State awards TRP with additional and specific eviction prevention
outreach funding, partners will provide housing and utility assistance to unemployed and
under-employed low-income immigrants, refugees and Limited English Proficient (LEP)
individuals impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic through eviction prevention outreach.
Federal Authorization
N/A
Illinois Statue Authorization
N/A
Illinois Administrative Rules Authorization
N/A
Objective
Ensure access to legal representation in cases of immigration and other civil and criminal proceedings.
Community Navigators
Three key areas of service will be provided:
1.Community navigators will be recruited, trained, and coordinated.
2.Community education on Know Your Rights and updates on policies and other topics
relevant to immigrants ensuring they are informed of their rights and resources available
to them.
3.Additional support services including referrals to legal services and accompaniment.
Accompaniment includes:
a.Legal services following up on referrals, appointment scheduling, document
preparation, interpreting/translating, accompanying to the courthouse or police station,
etc.
b.Other services critical to family stability assistance with guardianship, financial
planning, public benefits, unemployment, housing, and other services.
Legal Assistance
Two key areas of service will be provided:
1.Legal screenings and advice from a qualified immigration attorney or DOJ accredited
representative.
2.Cases accepted for legal representation indicated by when a legal representative signs
a retainer agreement entering into legal representation with a client.
UGA Program Terms
Funding will be used to provide legal assistance and wrap-around services for immigrants and ex-offenders
Eligible Applicants
Nonprofit Organizations;
Applicant Eligibility
N/A
Beneficiary Eligibility
N/A
Types of Assistance
Project Grants
Subject / Service Area
Human Services
Credentials / Documentation
N/A
Preapplication Coordination
Grant award will be issued to The Resurrection Project and the West Side Justice Center to serve as prime grantees. Additional sub-awardees will be identified through an open competitive process.
Application Procedures
N/A
Criteria Selecting Proposals
N/A
Range of Approval or Disapproval Time
N/A
Uses and Restrictions
Statewide program for legal assistance and wrap-around services.
Reports
A2J financial reports are to be submitted to IDHS by the 30th of the month following the reporting month. A2J program reports are to be submitted to IDHS by the 30th of the month following the reporting quarter. Reports are submitted electronically to IDHS.
Account Identification
N/A
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
N/A
Program Accomplishments
N/A
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
GATA and legal assistance program practices.
Regional or Local Assistance Location
N/A
FUNDING INFORMATION
Funding By Fiscal Year
FY 2024 : $25,000,000
FY 2025 : $25,000,000
Federal Funding
None
Notice of Funding Opportunities
| Agency ID | Award Range | Application Range |
ACTIVE AWARDS
Agency ID | Grantee Name | Start Date | End Date | Amount |
FCSDK05505-FCSDK05505 | THE RESURRECTION PROJECT | 07/01/2024 | 06/30/2025 | 12,500,000 |
FCSDK05504-FCSDK05504 | THE WESTSIDE JUSTICE CENTER | 07/01/2024 | 06/30/2025 | 12,500,000 |