(WSIL) -- Illinois has launched a new program to help residents who are unable to hire an attorney.
Illinois Court Help is the first personalized court information service offered by Illinois courts, according to a release from the Illinois Supreme Court on Monday.
The service is available by phone, via call or text, and connects residents to trained court guides. The guides help connect people to resources they need to go to court, from filling forms to accessing legal aid, the release says.
Lisa Colpoys, a supervising senior program director for Illinois Court Help, says it doesn't provide legal advice but it's still a game-changer for low-income residents.
"If they can't afford a lawyer then this service will be necessary," Colpoys said.
Colpoys says the service comes at a point when low income residents face eviction and don't have the funds to hire a lawyer.
About three out of every five U.S. residents in all civil legal cases go to court without a lawyer, to the Self-Represented Litigation Network.
Colpoys says while the service may not help lower the number of people going to court, it can provide educational resources for residents to be better prepared in court.
You can call or text the service at 833-411-4121. The hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It also includes a line for Spanish speakers and other languages upon request. A is online but is still in development.
