Program Overview

The goal of this program is twofold. The first is to provide funds to jurisdictions so that they are able to develop access to justice initiatives locally (the ATJ Improvement Grant). The second is to offer training and support to people working at courthouses throughout the state who assist self- represented litigants (SRLs) and other court users as part of the Court Navigator Network (Network). Network members serve as a bridge, linking courthouses throughout the state, to share ideas, develop new resources, and establish programs for assisting SRLs. Over the past few years, the base of this Network has been the Illinois JusticeCorps program and grant recipients. In compliance with the Illinois Supreme Court’s Strategic Agenda, it is our mission to maintain a Network with at least one member in every Judicial Circuit and Appellate District in the state.

Courts and Clerk’s Offices may apply to participate in the Network for the training and collaboration segment only or may also apply for grant funds to cover expenses related to the development, modification, or expansion of resources and services to improve access to justice. If a grant application is submitted on behalf of a Circuit with multiple counties, please indicate which counties will be served on the application form provided below in Section I.

Each grant will be for a one-year period from August 1, 2024 to July 31, 2025, and the funds will be paid at the beginning of the grant year. All award amounts are based on the funds which are available for the grant year.

ATJ Improvement Grant

The ATJ Improvement Grants can be used for any project or need that advances access to justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, or procedural fairness in your courthouse. The needs of each local courthouse are unique, so the projects that are funded are as well. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:

• buying paper, ink, and/or printers to print statewide forms;
• performing plain language and accessibility assessments of informational materials;
• repurposing courthouse space for SRL computer stations;
• improving signage materials;
• creating early resolution or online dispute resolution programs to resolve cases more efficiently and economically;
• revamping mediation services;
• installing storage lockers for mobile devices for courts prohibiting those devices, to be compliant with Supreme Court Policy;
• launching a text message reminder program or online chat service;
• helping SRLs with appearing remotely for court dates;
• conducting outreach campaigns to the community about court operations;
• unifying Circuits with consistent resources across a region;
• partnering with public libraries and lawyers for Lawyer in the Library programs; or
• partnering with legal aid or other court stakeholders like Illinois JusticeCorps to expand services to court users.

You can read more about previous grant projects in Illinois Courts Connect newsletters for November 2017, November 2018, December 2019, August 2020, July 2021, July 2022, and August 2023. For more information about past grants or to brainstorm ideas, please reach out to Jill Roberts, Deputy Director, Access to Justice Division, AOIC at jroberts@illinoiscourts.gov.

Court Navigator Network

All grant recipients will automatically be enrolled as members of the Network, but courts can also apply to join the Network without applying for grant funds. Network members share resources and best practices across county lines and judicial circuits to more effectively address access to justice gaps seen throughout the state. Network members identify, develop, and implement new tools and resources in their local courthouses and work with other stakeholders to facilitate better communication and collaboration in addressing these issues. Network members become aware of what their counterparts throughout the state are doing, learn from each other's successes (and missteps), share resources and updates, and provide the best possible service for SRLs. Network members repeatedly report that this cross-jurisdictional information sharing is the most beneficial aspect of the program.

Network members attend in-person (when possible) and remote trainings at the beginning of the grant year and once a month throughout the rest of the year, addressing topics such as information vs. legal advice, making referrals, customer service, implicit bias, assisting people who are dealing with mental illness, plain language, user-centered design, communication/de-escalation, and working with court users who have low literacy levels.

Requirements & Expectations

ATJ Improvement Grant

Each application for grant funding must identify someone who will be the “Project Lead”. The Project Lead may be anyone working at a courthouse in Illinois who has a demonstrated knowledge of the challenges faced by SRLs, familiarity with court operations and the local legal community, and an interest in improving access to justice. This includes staff or personnel in the offices of chief or presiding judges, appellate clerks, circuit clerks, court law libraries, self-help centers, sheriffs or bailiffs, or other relevant courthouse staff.

Each grant recipient must engage in the following required activities:

• Submit mid-year and year-end reports to the AOIC about project activities, opportunities and challenges, number of individuals served, and grant expenditures;
• Present to the Court Navigator Network about the project; and
• Secure a replacement Project Lead from the jurisdiction if the original one is unable to continue work as Project Lead.