The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation (IEJF) has drafted new grant criteria for the next fiscal year and changed the deadline for applications to Monday, July 2. The IEJF distributes funds allocated by the Illinois General Assembly and administered by Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

The next state budget, which has not been approved, includes $5 million for assistance to eligible low-income families. The appropriation for the current year is $3.5 million.

IEJF makes grants in four categories: legal information for the public, mediation, telephone advice and referral services, and civil legal assistance.

The new criteria will be finalized May 31, following the May 18 deadline for comments. The criteria cover the year from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. Grant awards will be made in October.

To view the draft, access www.equaljusticeillinois.org/foundation/grants/html. For other information, contact executive director Leslie Corbett at lcorbett@iejf.org.

A list of previous grant awards may be found at www.equaljusticeillinois.org.