PSLS Serves Communities Through Grants for Housing and Fair Housing Programs

Prairie State Legal Services (PSLS) works to prevent homelessness and protect fair housing rights through funding from federal, state, and municipal grants.

These resources allow PSLS to provide critical legal support to households facing eviction, foreclosure, or utility disconnection during sudden financial hardships like medical emergencies or job loss. Additionally, PSLS investigates and addresses housing discrimination based on protected classes such as race, religion, disability, familial status, age, and source of income, helping clients maintain safe, stable, and long-term housing.

Why PSLS’ Housing Work Matters

Meet Victor, a public housing resident who was at risk of eviction. For months, Victor tried making monthly rent payments. However, his payments were rejected by the payment system which showed that his account had a credit. Then Victor received an eviction notice from his landlord who said that he owed more than $2,500. That’s when Victor reached out to PSLS for help keeping his home. PSLS learned that Victor’s landlord made a mistake on the ledger which caused the system to reject his attempted payments. PSLS worked with Victor's landlord and helped Victor apply for rental assistance. Thanks to PSLS’ high-quality legal services, Victor avoided eviction!

Name was changed to protect client confidentiality.

PSLS News & Events

Update: PSLS’ Woodstock Office Will Become the McHenry Office!

PSLS’ Woodstock Office is moving and will be renamed the McHenry Office when it opens to the public on Tuesday, September 8. The new McHenry Office at 3929 Mercy Drive, Unit B in McHenry will continue to serve community members who call McHenry County home.

To accommodate the move, the current Woodstock Office will be closed to the public August 3-September 4. During the move, McHenry County residents can continue to reach PSLS at 815-344-9113.

Sept. 9: Strike a Chord

PSLS’ annual event, Strike a Chord, will return to 28 Mile Distilling Company in Highwood this year! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. Strike a Chord celebrates the life-changing work of PSLS and highlights the importance of legal aid. It will be a night filled with live music, tasty food, and meaningful conversations.

Learn more and RSVP!

Thank you, 2026 Strike a Chord Sponsors!

Piano Sponsor

Sept. 12: Strides for Justice 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk

Run or walk along Grandview Drive in Peoria Heights at Strides for Justice on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 a.m.! The event hosted by the Peoria County Bar Association supports PSLS’ Peoria Office and raises awareness about the importance of legal aid.

Get Involved

PSLS is working on plans throughout 2027 to celebrate our upcoming 50th Anniversary. If you have ideas or would like to get involved, join our Together for Justice Team (TFJ) or attend an upcoming meeting. Visit pslegal.org/TFJ to find TFJ meeting dates and sign up for a TFJ committee.

In the Community

PSLS Community Engagement Team and Community Navigators Connect with PSLS’ Neighbors

From West Suburban Community Resource Specialist, Carlos Orr: I attended the Aurora Pride Celebration with West Suburban Community Navigator, Jamie Venson. During the Pride parade, a parade participant noticed that I was wearing a Prairie State Legal Services name badge. She stepped out of the parade to give me a hug and shared how grateful she was for Prairie State Legal Services.

She explained that our organization had helped her through one of the most difficult times in her life and that the support she received made a lasting difference. Although I had not worked with her personally, her heartfelt appreciation reflected the profound impact PSLS has on the individuals and communities we serve. That moment was incredibly meaningful. Seeing the gratitude and emotion on her face reminded me that our work extends far beyond legal representation — it changes lives. It also reinforced the impact of the work we do and reminded me that I am in the right position with the right organization, serving people when they need it most.

From Joliet Senior Community Resource Specialist, Taneda Anderson: I would like to highlight the seven Know Your Rights presentations that the Joliet Community Navigator, Tycee Bell, and I delivered together. It is more important than ever for people to understand that they have legal rights and know how to access legal aid. The work we do is vital because it not only informs individuals of those rights but also empowers them to confidently navigate legal challenges and access a range of available resources.

Recognizing that barriers such as transportation, work schedules, and childcare can prevent people from attending traditional presentations, we intentionally brought these information sessions to locations where community members already gather. We also offered virtual presentations to ensure that individuals who could not attend in person still had access to this important information.

Together, we presented sessions on a variety of legal topics, including our General Legal Services Overview, Powers of Attorney and Wills, Public Benefits, Sealing and Expungement, Special Education and School Discipline, and Orders of Protection. By meeting people where they are — both physically and virtually — we were able to expand access to legal information and help more individuals understand their rights and the services available to them.

Make an Impact

PSLS provides free high-quality civil legal services to eligible low-income persons, veterans, people with disabilities and those 60 and older across 36 counties in Northern and Central Illinois. Partner with PSLS and make a difference!

Donate Today!

Volunteer!

PSLS is a charitable not-for-profit organization and gifts are tax deductible under IRS section 501(c)(3).

Give to PSLS

Prairie State Legal Services is funded in part by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). As a condition of the funding it receives from LSC, it is restricted from engaging in certain activities in all of its legal work – including work supported by other funding sources. Prairie State Legal Services may not expend any funds for any activity prohibited by the Legal Services Corporation Act, 42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq. or by Public Law 104-134, §504(a). Public Law 104-134 §504(d) requires that notice of these restrictions be given to all funders of programs funded by the Legal Services Corporation. Please contact our Administrative Office at 815-965-2134 for more information regarding these prohibitions.

Prairie State Legal Services | 303 N. Main St. #600 | Rockford, IL 61101 US

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