The Illinois Bar Foundation has made a grant of $9,750 to the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation for creation of community information materials that include an updated edition of the booklet, “About Our Services.”

A reference tool for social service providers, judge and other court personnel in LLLAF's 65-county Central and Southern Illinois region, the booklet describes types of civil legal services and eligibility requirements.

An additional brochure serves as an explanation to potential clients about LLLAF services and how to apply for them.

It is distributed in courthouses, special service agencies and other public locations, especially in rural counties, to increase awareness of legal assistance opportunities.

The staff also will compile and publish a 35th anniversary annual report to highlight its work and thank donors and pro bono attorneys, said executive director Lois Wood of the East St. Louis headquarters.

Land of Lincoln serves an area that is predominantly rural and has an eligible federal poverty-level client population of more than 274,000 individuals.

Organized in 1972, the organization operates out of five regional offices and three satellite locations that are equipped with Internet connections, computers, telephones and scanners for client access.

The primary point of client access is a centralized Legal Advice and Referral Center (LARC) for telephone intake, advice and referral of clients in all 65 counties.

An ongoing capital and critical services campaign has resulted in funding for a new building that houses administrative offices, the LARC and staff of the East St. Louis service office.

The Champaign office, which covers 14 counties, recently moved to new quarters in a 5,000-square-foor building at a better location in a low-income area close to transportation.

The city donated the lot and $200,000, and a gift of $50,000 was made by the Carle Foundation Hospital to support LLLAF's Law and Health Project and a joint Medical Debt Task Force that assists the elderly and disabled.

For information about programs and volunteer opportunities, call Wood or deputy director Linda Zazove at (618) 271-2476.