Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services for Domestic Violence in Chicago

Overview

Survivors of domestic violence in Chicago face legal needs in areas like restraining orders, custody, housing, immigration, and safety planning. Fortunately, a network of civil legal aid and pro bono providers in Cook County is dedicated to helping survivors get access to justice. This guide outlines key organizations, what they offer, and how to reach them safely and effectively.

Key Legal Aid & Pro Bono Providers in Chicago

1. Legal Aid Chicago

Website: legalaidchicago.org
Phone: 312-341-1070
Services:

• Orders of Protection (civil and no-contact orders) and representation for family safety matters Legal Aid Chicago+2WomensLaw.org+2

• Divorce, custody, visitation in contested family proceedings Legal Aid Chicago

• Immigration relief for survivors (VAWA, U-Visa, asylum) Legal Aid Chicago

• Assistance in housing, eviction defense, utility rights, and public benefits Legal Aid Chicago+1

Eligibility:

• Income or asset limits apply, typically up to ~150% of federal poverty guidelines. Legal Aid Chicago

• However, for survivors of domestic or sexual violence, Legal Aid Chicago broadens eligibility thresholds. Legal Aid Chicago

• Clients must live in Chicago or suburban Cook County. Legal Aid Chicago+1

2. Ascend Justice

Website: ascendjustice.org
Phone: 312-325-9155 (Domestic Violence Courthouse) Ascend Justice+2Illinois Attorney General+2
Services:

• Representation in orders of protection and family law matters for low-income survivors at the Domestic Violence Courthouse in Chicago Ascend Justice+1

• Walk-in services (8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) for protective orders Illinois Attorney General+1

• Remote hotline intake for protective orders Illinois Attorney General

3. Life Span (Domestic Violence Legal Services)

Website: life-span.org
Phone: 312-408-1210 (main line) life-span.org
Services:

• Representation in orders of protection, divorces, custody, parenting time, and post-decree issues across Cook County life-span.org

• Civil no-contact orders, criminal court advocacy for survivors in domestic violence criminal cases life-span.org

• Immigration legal services, including VAWA and U-Visa advocacy life-span.org

• Special programs for survivors abused by law enforcement and for immigrant populations (e.g. Arab American Project) life-span.org

4. Between Friends (Court Advocacy / Pro Bono Clinics)

Website: betweenfriendschicago.org
Phone (Chicago): 773-274-5232
Services:

• Free legal clinics connecting survivors to volunteer family law attorneys betweenfriendschicago.org

• Court advocacy: assistance with paperwork for orders of protection, accompany to court, explain rights under Illinois law betweenfriendschicago.org

• Clinics cover topics like custody, support, divorce, immigration, and protection orders betweenfriendschicago.org

5. Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic (CGLA)

Address / Contact: 6 S. Clark St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60603; Phone: 312-738-2452 Illinois Attorney General
Services:

• Family law, housing law representation, including orders of protection and civil representation Illinois Attorney General

• Pro se help desks at Daley Center, Markham Courthouse for survivors needing procedural assistance Illinois Attorney General

6. CARPLS (Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services)

Website: carpls.org
Phone / Hotline: 312-738-9200 cookcountypublicdefender.org+1
Services:

• Hotline advice & referral for family, housing, employment, benefits, and domestic violence issues cookcountypublicdefender.org

• 30-minute phone consultations for domestic violence / orders of protection intake cookcountypublicdefender.org

• Walk-in / same-day services for orders of protection at 555 W. Harrison for qualifying clients cookcountypublicdefender.org

7. Other Supportive & Partner Organizations

• Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO): Legal self-help resources, form templates, statewide referrals for domestic violence issues. Illinois Legal Aid

• Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV): State-level coalition providing training, policy advocacy, and connecting local programs. Wikipedia

• Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS): Civil legal aid including family law and referrals for survivors. Illinois Attorney General

• Metropolitan Family Services / Legal Aid Society (LAS): Supports orders of protection, family law, civil legal matters for survivors, especially through their Safety & Family practice group. Metropolitan Family Services

• National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC): Legal services for immigrants, asylum, and immigration relief for survivors. Wikipedia

How to Access Legal Help Safely

1. Use a private device (not monitored by partner/abuser) or incognito/private browsing mode

2. Contact via phone or email first — many programs start with remote intake

3. Ask for safe meeting options or virtual appointments

4. Bring any supporting documents (photos, police reports, messages) in secure formats

5. Delete call or browser logs after accessing resources

6. Plan your travel if in person (e.g. clinic hours, court locations)

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Do I have to pay for these legal services?
No. Most organizations listed provide free legal services for survivors of domestic violence. Some may have limited sliding scale options for associated matters.

2. Can undocumented or noncitizen survivors get help?
Yes. Several agencies (e.g. Legal Aid Chicago, Life Span, NIJC) provide immigration relief (VAWA, U-Visas, asylum) regardless of immigration status. Wikipedia+3Legal Aid Chicago+3life-span.org+3

3. How quickly can I get a restraining order (Order of Protection)?
Some agencies, like Ascend Justice and CARPLS, offer same-day or walk-in protective order intake. Illinois Attorney General+1
However, full representation and hearings may take additional days or weeks based on court schedule.

4. What documents should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring whatever you can safely: police reports, medical or counseling records, text messages or screenshots, photos, affidavits or witness contact info, lease/mortgage documents, identification (if available).

5. Can I get help for custody, child support, or divorce as part of DV services?
Yes — many legal aid providers handle these family law matters in cases connected to domestic violence (e.g. safety, abuse history). betweenfriendschicago.org+3life-span.org+3Legal Aid Chicago+3

6. What about legal help outside of Chicago proper (in Cook County suburbs)?
Many providers serve all of Cook County (e.g., Legal Aid Chicago is countywide) Legal Aid Chicago+1. Life Span’s legal services also extend across Cook County courthouses. life-span.org
Some suburban legal aid clinics (e.g. North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic) also offer domestic violence services in their own districts. North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic

Conclusion

Chicago and Cook County have a strong network of civil legal aid and pro bono programs dedicated to domestic violence survivors. You don’t have to face the system alone — whether you need help with protective orders, family law, housing, or immigration, qualified, compassionate legal support is available. Reach out via phone or intake hotline and prioritize your safety first.