Illinois launched court-access library centers at 18 public libraries

News report

Illinois court and library partners marked the official launch of the Court Library Access Center Program at Glenview Public Library on April 25, 2025. The pilot established centers at 18 public libraries to help people navigate court processes closer to home.

The program brought together the Secretary of State's office, the Illinois State Library, the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Illinois Supreme Court's Commission on Access to Justice. Its design addresses practical barriers for people without lawyers, including transportation and access to technology.

The court system's April 30 account said each participating library offered dedicated space and equipment for remote court appearances, electronic filing and access to online documents. Libraries also provided a place to find legal information and referrals, connecting existing community facilities with court services.

Librarians received training on court structure, electronic filing, standardized forms, remote appearances and the boundary between permitted legal information and legal advice. They could also pursue additional Court Library Navigator training covering common subjects such as family law, protective orders, probate and small claims.

The pilot did not turn library staff into legal representatives or make every court service available at every library. Its practical contribution was a supported access point, with staff better equipped to direct users to appropriate information. The launch account and the original state announcement describe the partnership and intended services; they do not supply measured findings about case outcomes or reduced travel. Those results would require evaluation beyond the fact of the centers' establishment.

Sources

• Illinois Courts: library program launch — 2025-04-30
• Illinois Secretary of State: Court Access Library Centers — 2024-08-26