Hotline Number 312-738-9200 |
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Modeling Legal Aid for the 21st Century |
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by Al Schwartz, CARPLS Executive Director
In Illinois, even during “normal” times, there is a shortage of legal help, with only around 450 Legal Aid attorneys for 13 million Illinoisans, of whom 31.6% live in near poverty. And in most civil cases (typically those covering issues of housing, family, and consumer law), people represent themselves because there is generally no right to legal counsel in civil matters.
CARPLS Legal Aid is the largest provider of free legal services in Chicago, and we believe no one should have to deal with their legal issue alone. When you call CARPLS, you are connected directly to an experienced, caring attorney and will receive, at minimum, a free 30-minute consultation that can provide you with answers and next steps. At that point, you might have your solution or you may be referred to a legal services partner specializing in your issue.
This frontline service is absolutely integral to civil legal aid — especially now, when people are physically and emotionally isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, access to justice for people with low and moderate incomes has been a long-standing issue facing vulnerable communities.
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Golden Gavel Celebration On October 14: Register Today! |
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Support CARPLS' Mission
CARPLS has provided everyday justice to almost 1 million people since 1993. During a crisis, the legal aid community comes together to meet people where they are at and helps them move their lives forward.
We are working to change our community for the better, one legal problem at a time—and we need your help. Register for a free virtual ticket or consider financially supporting CARLPS through our annual celebration.
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We are very grateful to our sponsors, in formation: |
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Veteran Moves Forward With Cannabis Expungement Case Through New Leaf |
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A veteran, "Mark," called CARPLS' New Leaf Illinois hotline because a cannabis arrest from decades ago was haunting him. After returning from combat, he used cannabis as a way to deal with his PTSD. He was arrested one night and the charge has followed him since, which has affected his job prospects and relationships with friends and family.
CARPLS is helping Mark through the process of getting his record expunged and referred him to a partner agency. He said he is "ecstatic about our work."
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Working Together to Tackle Cyber Harassment in the Workplace |
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By Desiree Moore, Partner at K&L Gates, LLP; Erinn Rigney, Associate at K&L Gates LLP; and Claudia Marina Velasquez, Associate at K&L Gates LLP
With the advent and now prolific use of social media across age, gender, race, and other demographics, cyber harassment is equally prevalent and an issue of great concern. A January 2020 survey found that 44% of adult internet users had personally experienced some kind of online harassment.[1] The digital harassment of individuals can take a serious toll, often impacting a victim’s personal, professional, financial, and emotional well-being. But cyber harassment has broader implications: in recent years in particular, this harassment has included, in many instances, the targeting of the individuals’ friends, family, and even their workplace.
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CARPLS at the Race Judicata! |
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CARPLS participated in the Race Judicata event on September 23, which benefits Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in their mission to "ensure that the law works for everyone."
Molly Golden, CARPLS Staff Attorney, led the CARPLS run group:
"Congratulations to team CARPLS! We had a great time doing some out-of-office team building with the added bonus raising money and awareness for legal aid."
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CARPLS | 17 N. State Street | Suite 1850 | Chicago | Illinois | 60602 | carpls.org
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