Bar Foundation to disburse $295,000 in 2008 grants
The Illinois Bar Foundation has announced the distribution of 36 grants totaling $295,005 for the current year. The amount were approved by the foundation board in four basic categories and two additional areas.
The greatest number (13) and total ($143,505) are in activities "to encourage and promote legal assistance to poor, elderly and disadvantaged people."
The recipients include Cabrini Green Legal Clinic, Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services, Catholic Urban Programs Neighborhood Law Office, Chicago Legal Aid for Incarcerated Mothers, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation, and Equip for Equality.
Also First Defense Legal Aid, Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Illinois Legal Aid On Line, Veterans' Legal Support Center, Prairie State Legal Services, Will County Legal Assistance Foundation, and Winnebago County Bar Association.
Nine grants totaling $62,000 were made for activities "to reduce incidence of domestic violence."
They are to Center for Prevention of Abuse, Chicago Metro Battered Women's Network, Community Crisis Center, Crisis Center Foundation, Family Rescue, Family Shelter Service, Mutual Ground, Shriver Center, and Sojourn Shelter and Services.
Six grants totaling $26,000 were made "to make the court system more accessible and transparent to the public."
All are to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) offices: Illinois, 15th Judicial Circuit, Franklin County, Jefferson County, Vermilion County, and Williamson County.
Five grants totaling $28,500 were made for activities "to reduce recidivism or juvenile and adult offenders."
They are to BUILD, CASA of Will County, Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois, Maryville Academy, and Youth Job Center.
Grants totaling $27,500 were made in the additional funding category to "help members of the public understand their rights and responsibilities under the law." Recipients are Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago and Mikva Challenge.
In addition category to "enhance the ethical and professional practice of law," a grant of $7,500 was made to the Illinois Judges Association.
The deadline for grant applications for the 2009 funding year is Wednesday, Oct. 1. For information, access the Web site, http://www.isba.org/ibf.