Representing Yourself in Court: Illinois Free Legal Answers and Other Resources

The process of going to court can be difficult to navigate even with the assistance of an attorney. This difficulty is only further amplified when navigating court proceedings for the first time without any legal assistance. Unfortunately, this is the reality for many self-represented litigants in the court system. In a 2022 Justice Gap report from the Legal Services Corporation, it was reported that low-income Americans do not get any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems.¹ Among this demographic, one in two individuals (53%) do not know if they could find and afford a lawyer if they needed one.² This demographic is often referred to as self-represented litigants or pro se litigants, which means individuals representing themselves in court without the assistance of a licensed attorney.

For some self-represented litigants, the event of going to court may be just one small part of a list of daily challenges. Financial hardships, housing issues, food insecurity, and lack of reliable transportation are only some of the obstacles that an individual may experience outside the courtroom. These challenges can affect the likelihood of self-represented litigants pursuing further legal action. In addition, the self-help resources that are available to self-represented litigants may be difficult to access or understand without proper guidance. These obstacles can put self-represented litigants at an immediate disadvantage compared to those with legal representation in the courtroom.

However, there are self-help resources available with the mission of creating accessible and easy-to-understand tools for those navigating the legal space on their own. One of the most effective services for self-represented individuals is Illinois Free Legal Answers. Illinois Free Legal Answers (IFLA) is a virtual legal aid clinic that allows qualifying users to post civil legal questions at no cost. These questions are then answered by volunteer attorneys. It is important to note that a pending court case is not required to use this service—individuals may use the program to receive general civil legal advice, gain guidance on whether to pursue future legal action or not, or obtain advice on how to prepare for future court proceedings. The site hosts volunteer licensed attorneys who answer hundreds of questions per month on legal issues covering housing, family law, consumer rights, employment, and much more.

With AI-generated legal advice on the rise, IFLA works hard to connect individuals with real volunteer attorneys who are trained to assist self-represented litigants and provide clients with next steps that are personalized to their unique situations. In comparison, AI-generated legal advice is ineffective and can be incorrect, too generalized, or even completely fabricated. While using IFLA may not “solve” every legal issue, it provides self-represented litigants with the necessary tools to be better prepared and knowledgeable for the next steps in their cases.

IFLA prides itself on creating a system that is user-friendly and easy to navigate for clients.

Creating a user account is simple and necessary to be able to post questions (and can be done here). First, users must agree to the terms of the User Agreement. These terms address what the site offers, information about the volunteer lawyers, and rules they must follow. Next, users must input some new client information to create and then activate their account.

Here are some of the general eligibility requirements to ask a question using IFLA: 

1. You must be 18 years old or older.
2. You must meet financial eligibility requirements.
3. You cannot currently be in jail or prison.
4. Your question must be a civil legal question. Questions cannot be criminal—this includes advice related to traffic violations. However, questions related to the sealing and expungement, or the hiding or destroying of criminal records from public view, are allowed. 

Once an account is created, users can submit up to three questions every year. Users can type their questions and also have the option of attaching documents or photographs. This can be particularly helpful when there is a court case pending, or the user has received some type of legal correspondence. When a question is submitted, volunteer attorneys are able to respond to the questions of their choice and provide advice anonymously. Clients will receive an email notification if an attorney has replied to their question and will have up to 10 days to respond if the volunteer left the question open. This allows the volunteer and the user to have an ongoing conversation to get additional information, clarify advice given, and ensure all questions are answered. After 10 days have passed since the last communication, the question will automatically close if the volunteer has not closed it prior.

There are several other advantages to using IFLA beyond its superiority to AI. One such advantage is that users may be able to connect with an attorney anywhere in the state. This is especially helpful for users who do not qualify for traditional legal aid or who live in legal deserts, which are areas with very few private attorneys. Another advantage is the site can be accessed by both users and volunteers at any time. A user can post a question at their convenience, even if they have work or other obstacles that prevent them from connecting with attorneys during traditional office hours. Yet another important advantage is that this service is completely free to users!

In addition, IFLA is a great starting point to learn about additional self-help resources for a specific legal problem. Volunteer attorneys often connect self-represented litigants who use IFLA with other helpful resources, such as Illinois Legal Aid Online, which provides individuals with helpful articles explaining various legal concepts and terminology as well as “Easy Forms,” or step-by-step guided tutorials to fill out over 70 different court forms and other documents. This site can be accessed by anyone needing legal assistance and is specifically designed for those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

Another self-help resource available is Illinois Court Help, which connects self-represented individuals with court guides to help better understand the court process. Users can access information by calling, texting, or using the virtual court guide. The site also has links to approved statewide forms as well as links to information on e-filing, appealing a court decision, and appearing in court remotely. This free service can also connect individuals with other local legal aid organizations and free resources. These are only a few examples of the many resources available to help self-represented litigants feel more prepared and knowledgeable about future court proceedings.

The Illinois legal community includes many volunteer attorneys who are eager to help self-represented clients on their journey through the court system. Whether for an upcoming hearing or general legal advice, Illinois Free Legal Answers is a great place to start preparing for your next steps.

Saffron Mears is a second-year law student at the University of Wisconsin School of Law.

Andrea Schrader is an Attorney Program Manager for the Public Interest Law Initiative.

1. Legal Services Corporation, “Executive Summary,” Justice Gap, Legal Services Corporation, https://justicegap.lsc.gov/resource/executive-summary/ (last visited Sept. 24, 2026).
2. Id.