Illinois Court Help celebrates its 5-year anniversary

On May 19, 2026, the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) celebrated the five-year anniversary of Illinois Court Help (ILCH), a statewide program that has helped more than 100,000 court users navigate the Illinois court system and connect with trusted legal information and resources.

The anniversary celebration brought together court leaders, Commission members, current and former AOIC colleagues, and longtime supporters of the program to reflect on ILCH's growth and impact over the past five years.

Illinois Court Help launched with a small team consisting of one program manager and two court guides and initially operated Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Over time, the program expanded in response to the growing needs of court users across Illinois. Today, ILCH includes a team of 14 staff members, including one supervising senior attorney, three senior court guides, and 10 court guides, and offers expanded service hours from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The program has also continued to innovate, including the launch of a chatbot designed to help users quickly access court information and resources.

Over the last five years, ILCH has consistently assisted individuals in all 102 Illinois counties while maintaining a 92% or higher satisfaction rating from court users served across all stages of the legal process.

The program's impact can be seen in the everyday experiences of the people served. In one instance, a Spanish-speaking court user in Will County received a traffic ticket he could not read. After contacting Illinois Court Help, he was connected with a Spanish-speaking court guide who helped explain the ticket and clarify where he needed to appear for court. In another example, a Cook County court user contacted ILCH to express gratitude after successfully completing the entire uncontested divorce process, from filing the petition to receiving the judgment of dissolution, in just 32 days with assistance from court guides.

For court guides, the work is rooted in service, trust, and accessibility. Obie Marcel described the importance of helping court users feel supported and informed while navigating the legal system.

"We are living up to the trust that our diverse group of callers places in us guides every conversation we have with them," Marcel said. "Each email, text, and phone call serves to make the courts less confusing, less intimidating, and, hopefully, more accessible."

Erik Lubben emphasized the important role ILCH serves for court users who may struggle to access legal assistance.

"ILCH offers crucial assistance to individuals who do not qualify for legal aid but are also unable to afford private legal representation, which can be a difficult middle ground to find yourself in," Lubben said. "I love that our program is so straightforward, with no registration, no frills, and no catch. Just call the number to get help."

Senior Court Guide Jessica Acosta has been with Illinois Court Help since its earliest days and reflected on how the program has evolved over the past five years.

"I feel incredibly lucky to witness the evolution of this program. I did not anticipate how much ILCH would strengthen my commitment to public service. I especially appreciate one of the program's missions to empower the public with knowledge, which is one of my favorite ways to strengthen the courts and public trust."

The success of Illinois Court Help reflects the collaboration and dedication of teams across the Access to Justice Division.

"What I love most about Illinois Court Help is that its success reflects the collaboration of so many people across the Access to Justice Division," said ILCH Supervising Senior Attorney Avani Patel. "From statewide court forms and language access to judicial education, disability access and community trust, every colleague plays a role in helping court users better navigate the justice system. ILCH may be the direct point of contact for many court users, but the work is truly a collective effort."

As Illinois Court Help looks ahead to the future, the program remains committed to improving access to justice and continuing to meet the evolving needs of court users throughout Illinois.