Freeborn & Peters Partner Roger Bickel has joined the Equal Justice Campaign's Blue-Ribbon Committee.
The Equal Justice Illinois Campaign is an effort to educate leaders in Illinois about the need for more resources to help Illinois residents understand their rights and responsibilities under the law, and to help individuals and families resolve their civil legal problems. Currently there is only one legal aid lawyer for every 6,500 low-income Illinois residents, a situation referred to as a "scandal" by former Chief Justice Moses W. Harrison II of the Illinois Supreme Court. Of the ten most populous states in the U.S., Illinois ranks last in the amount it appropriates for legal aid (less than $500,000 vs. an average of $6.1 million.)
The goal of the Campaign is to build support for an increased state appropriation to fund a variety of cost-effective programs that give Illinois residents meaningful access to our legal system. The Campaign is an initiative of the Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice, a 30-member body appointed by the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations to coordinate access-to-justice efforts throughout the state.
The Coalition includes lawyers, judges, legislators, other public officials, academics, legal aid providers, and other interested citizens.
The Coalition meets on a quarterly basis to discuss issues and make recommendations regarding topics such as how to increase funding for legal aid in Illinois, how to increase the amount of pro bono service provided by Illinois attorneys, and how to best assist members of the public who need access to basic legal information.
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