Information: Legal Needs

Legal support

CARPLS Legal Aid

Hotline connects you with a lawyer who can give immediate advice and tell you where to go for more help. (312) 738-9200

Legal Aid Chicago

Legal Aid Chicago Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals. 

Arrest Hotline

Arrest Hotline: If you are arrested in Cook County, you can call (844) 817-4448 to have a free lawyer sent to the police station.

Illinois Legal Aid

Pick topic that best supports your need.

Chicago Volunteer Legal Service

Free lawyers for civil (non-criminal) cases like housing, family issues, and health. (312) 341-1070.

Cabrini Green Legal Aid

Helps with criminal records, expungement and sealing.

Free or low-cost legal help with immigration matters

National Immigrant Justice Center

Offering free/low-cost immigration legal services including asylum, citizenship, family-based petitions, removal defense, DACA, TPS, U-visa & VAWA help. NIJC is well-known locally and nationally for immigrant legal support.

Legal Aid Chicago

Free civil legal help to low-income residents of Cook County; they handle certain immigration-related issues (especially for victims of crime like U-visa or VAWA).

Centro Romero

(773) 508-5300 provides refugees and immigrants on the Northeast side of Chicago with the tools and resources they need.

CASL

Immigration support and assistance with applications

Chinese Mutual Aid Association

Helps with citizenship and visa applications.

Tips to get help

  1. Start with a free intake call. Many nonprofits require a short phone screening to determine eligibility (often based on income).
    2. Ask what services are truly free vs sliding-scale. Some clinics offer free legal advice but may charge minimal filing fees.
    3. Bring all documents you have. (Passports, notices, forms you’ve received, IDs) — this helps them assess your case faster.
    4. Seek accredited representatives. Look for attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives to avoid scams.

Next Steps 

    • Call nonprofits first (NIJC, Legal Aid Chicago, Other) to get screened and understand what help they can provide for your specific immigration issue.
    • Ask about language support if you need services in Spanish or other languages — many local providers offer interpreters.

The information is adapted from text generated by Gemini.” Gemini, Google, 19 Nov 2025 and from OpenAI on 01/19/2026 using “Legal support in Chicago, IL”

This information provides no warranties regarding the accuracy or application of its content, disclaims responsibility for its use, and does not offer medical or legal advice. It does not endorse specific products or therapies, mandate medical care, or represent the standard of care. The information may not be continually updated, and it is not a substitute for the professional judgment of a treating provider. Provided “as is,” it makes no express or implied warranties, assumes no responsibility for any harm arising from its use, and disclaims liability for errors or omissions.