Reflecting on the needs of our community

Hotline Number 312-738-9200

April 2020

Reflecting On The Needs Of Our Community

Martin Luther King, Jr, once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience. But where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

We believe that no one should face their legal problem alone.

CARPLS transitioned all of its staff to working remotely and continues to provide legal services uninterrupted for our clients and the legal aid network. In addition, our staff is translating the resources and legal changes taking place at lightning speed to best direct our clients.

The virus, and its economic impact, is perhaps one of the greatest challenges of our generation. The CARPLS family wants to take a moment to recognize the creativity, resilience and determination of our medical community, our clients, legal aid providers, community leaders and all of us to endure in uncertain times.

As so many of our loved ones grapple with issues of healthcare, employment, housing, credit and family law issues, our services and the continued need for large-scale legal triage becomes even more important as the coming weeks, and months, go by.

At this time, we will be rescheduling the Golden Gavel Celebration for October 1, but our fundraising efforts reflect the needs of the community now. We would like to thank our sponsors thus far. With your continued support, we will help our clients through this crisis.

Our CARPLS Hotline number is 312-738-9200 and our IL-AFLAN Hotline number is 855-452-3526 . Please refer these numbers to possible clients, social workers, community organizations, and whoever else may benefit.

For questions regarding services, donations or sponsorships, email [email protected] or call 312-421-4014.

Golden Gavel Sponsors To Date

Benefit Sponsors

Champion Sponsors

Founder Sponsors

Cornerstone Sponsors

Frontline Sponsors

Kathy & Kyle Hartman

Partner Sponsors

Brock & Kristen LaMarca

Family Foundation

James & Kathy Pretlow

Prof. Leonard J.

& Joyce S. Schrager

Guardian Sponsors

Cam Findlay

Paul Freehling

Margaret Haas

Steve Thomas

Tanya & Henry Pietrkowski

CARPLS Virtual CLE on April 6, 2020

"It Was Priceless!"

Eric called CARPLS because he came home to find that the sheriff had evicted him from his apartment, but he had no knowledge of the eviction and did not owe rent.

The CARPLS attorney found out that he had actually paid more in rent than the amount sought in the eviction complaint. The attorney advised Eric how to file a motion to get his apartment back. Eric won his motion, and the judge ordered the landlord to let Eric back in.

Eric said, "The attorneys at CARPLS are AMAZING! Even though my options were few, they worked with me every step of the way. The called me every time they thought of a new referral or something new to add to my case. They went ABOVE AND BEYOND my expectations!"

A Great Gift From McGuireWoods LLP

On Wednesday, February 26, the McGuireWoods LLP Chicago office held a Pro Bono Town Hall meeting where attorneys presented their favorite pro bono causes and celebrated successes.

Amy Starinieri Gilbert, a member of the CARPLS Professionals Board, presented CARPLS as a volunteer opportunity. Currently, approximately seven associates are volunteering on CARPLS Legal Aid hotline covering cases on housing, family and consumer law. In addition, Royce Dubiner, a McGuireWoods associate and CARPLS volunteer, recently won a benefits case (separate from CARPLS) on behalf of a WWII veteran’s widow. Royce allocated the attorney fees from the case as a donation to CARPLS and it was presented as a surprise gift at the meeting to CARPLS’ Leslie Wallin, Volunteer Coordinator, and Tanya Pietrkowski, Director of Development.

Royce reflected, “CARPLS is an incredible organization and provides a bunch of meaning for me in my practice. I hope to keep showing up on Wednesday nights and helping the mission.”

Note: The CARPLS Volunteer Program is temporarily on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyday Justice Blog:

Access to Justice Division

By Jill Roberts, Access to Justice Division, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

Equal access to justice is a pillar of our society. The promise of equal justice for those without meaningful access is an ongoing and constantly evolving issue. Access is increasingly important as we see poverty grow statewide without a matched increase in free and low-cost legal aid services. Poverty in Illinois is at a 50-year high, with nearly one in three Illinois residents living in or near poverty (Heartland Alliance). At the same time, about a quarter of Illinois residents have limited English proficiency, higher than the national average (U.S. Census).

To ensure equal access, the Illinois Supreme Court created the Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) in 2012, under the auspices of the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). The ATJ Commission’s mission is to promote, facilitate, and enhance access to justice with an emphasis on access to the Illinois civil courts and administrative agencies for all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable. Chaired by Justice Mary K. Rochford, the Commission is overseen by 11 Commissioners representing all five appellate districts.

Read the full post here!