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Free Immigration Legal Help in Illinois

From the Justice Department's recognized organizations roster (updated October 25, 2026) and its pro bono list (October 2026 edition). The sources are listed at the end of this page.

Nonprofits recognized by the Justice Department

Each can give immigration legal help through accredited representatives, and some also have staff attorneys. They help with applications to USCIS, and some also represent people in immigration court.

Aurora

Family Focus Aurora
Principal Office
1444 N Farnsworth AvenueAurora, IL 60505
(630) 256-7017 Map
World Relief
World Relief Chicagoland – Aurora Extension Office
73 S. LaSalle StreetAurora, IL 60505
(630) 264-3171 Map

Berwyn

Chicago Workers Collaborative
Chicago Extension Office
6925 West Cermak RoadBerwyn, IL 60406
(847) 596-7491 Map

Bolingbrook

Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project
Principal Office
101 Royce Road, Suite 12Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 296-6755 Map

Carol Stream

Vietnamese Association of Illinois
Carol Stream Extension Office
640 East Saint Charles Road, Suite 203Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 580-9438 Map
World Relief
World Relief Chicagoland – DuPage Extension Office
191 S. Gary Avenue, Suite 130Carol Stream, IL 60188
(630) 462-7566 Map

Champaign

The Immigration Project, Inc.
Champaign Extension Office
409 Devonshire DriveChampaign, IL 61820
(217) 693-4920 Map
YMCA of the University of Illinois
Principal Office
1001 South Wright StreetChampaign, IL 61820
(217) 337-1500 Map

Chicago

Afghan Village NFP
Principal Office
6235 N Western AvenueChicago, IL 60659
(773) 796-1333 Map
Ascend Justice
Principal Office
177 N. State Street, Suite 500Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 971-5932 Map
Ascend Justice
West Harrison Street Extension Office
555 W. Harrison, Suite 1900Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 325-9155 Map
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Principal Office
721 North LaSalle StreetChicago, IL 60654
(312) 427-7078 Map
Centro Romero
Principal Office
6216 N. Clark StreetChicago, IL 60660
(773) 508-5300 Map
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation
Principal Office
33 N. Dearborn Street, Suite 400Chicago, IL 60602
(313) 332-1624 Map
Children's Legal Center
Principal Office
1100 W Cermak Road, Suite 422Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 722-6642 Map
Chinese American Service League
Principal Office
2141 S. Tan CourtChicago, IL 60616
(312) 791-0418 Map
Chinese Mutual Aid Association
Principal Office
1016 W. Argyle StreetChicago, IL 60640
(773) 784-2900 Map
Community Help Center Muslim Women Resource Center
Principal Office
2828 W. Devon AvenueChicago, IL 60659
(773) 764-1686 Map
Erie Neighborhood House
Principal Office
1634 W Van Buren StreetChicago, IL 60612
(312) 666-3430 Map
Erie Neighborhood House
4225 W. 25th Street Extension Office
4225 W. 25th StreetChicago, IL 60623
(773) 542-7617 Map
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, Inc.
Principal Office
5800 North Lincoln Avenue, Unit A/BChicago, IL 60659
(773) 508-0303 Map
Family Focus Aurora
Chicago Extension Office
4878 W. Armitage AveChicago, IL 60639
(773) 276-0940 Map
Frida Kahlo Community Organization
Principal Office
5133 S. Kedzie Avenue, 1st FloorChicago, IL 60632
(312) 421-7599 Map
HANA Center
Principal Office
4300 N. California AvenueChicago, IL 60618
(773) 583-5501 Map
Hanul Family Alliance
Chicago Extension Office
5008 N Kedzie AvenueChicago, IL 60625
(773) 478-8851 Map
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
Principal Office
228 South Wabash, Suite 800Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 332-7360 Map
Indo-American Center
Principal Office
6328 N California AveChicago, IL 60659
(773) 973-4444 Map
Instituto del Progreso Latino
Principal Office
2570 S. Blue Island AvenueChicago, IL 60608
(773) 890-0055 Map
Irish Community Services
Principal Office
4626 N. Knox Avenue, Suite 301Chicago, IL 60630
Map
Latinos Progresando
Principal Office
2724 W. Cermak RdChicago, IL 60608
(773) 542-7011 Map
Life Span Center for Legal Services and Advocacy
Principal Office
70 East Lake StreetSuite 600Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 408-1210 Map
Logan Square Neighborhood Association
Principal Office
2840 N. Milwaukee AveChicago, IL 60618
(773) 384-4370 Map
National Immigrant Justice Center
Principal Office
111 W. Jackson BlvdSuite 800Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 660-1370 Map
Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors DBA Immigration Law and Justice of Northern Illinois
Principal Office
77 West Washington Street, Suite 814Chicago, IL 60602
(773) 909-1672 Map
Polish American Association
Principal Office
3834 N. Cicero AvenueChicago, IL 60641
(773) 282-1324 Map
Raise the Floor Alliance
Principal Office
1 N LaSalle Street, Suite 1275Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 795-9115 Map
RefugeeOne
Principal Office
6008 N. California AvenueChicago, IL 60659
(773) 989-5647 Map
Syrian Community Network
Principal Office
5439 N. Broadway, Suite #2Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 654-3096 Map
The Resurrection Project
Principal Office
1805 S. Ashland AvenueChicago, IL 60608
(312) 666-3062 Map
United African Organization
Principal Office
6042 S Indiana AvenueChicago, IL 60637
(312) 949-9980 Map
Vietnamese Association of Illinois
Principal Office
5110 North Broadway StreetChicago, IL 60640
(773) 728-3700 Map
World Relief
World Relief Chicagoland – Chicago Extension Office
3507 W. Lawrence Avenue, Suite 208Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 583-9191 Map

Cicero

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Cicero Extension Office
1400 S. Austin BlvdCicero, IL 60804
(708) 429-4031 Map
Family Focus Aurora
Cicero Extension Office
1500 S. 59th Court, 2nd FloorCicero, IL 60804
(708) 652-0900 Map

Des Plaines

Alliance for Immigrant Neighbors
Principal Office
P.O. Box 2581Des Plaines, IL 60017
(224) 443-0113 Map
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Des Plaines Extension Office
1170 N. River RoadDes Plaines, IL 60016
(312) 427-7078 Map
Life Span Center for Legal Services and Advocacy
Des Plaines Extension Office
701 Lee StreetSuite 700Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 824-0382 Map

Elgin

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford
Elgin Extension Office
33 N. Geneva StreetElgin, IL 60120
(815) 399-1709 Map
Centro de Informacion
Principal Office
1885 Lin Lor LaneElgin, IL 60123
(847) 695-9050 Map
Chicago Workers Collaborative
Elgin Extension Office
783 Highland AvenueElgin, IL 60123
Map
Chinese Mutual Aid Association
Elgin Extension Office
164 Division Street, Suite 305Elgin, IL 60120
(224) 227-7499 Map

Hanover Park

Partners for Our Communities
Principal Office
1515 Lake StreetHanover Park, IL 60133
Map

Hickory Hills

International Humanitarian Relief
Principal Office
7667 W. 95th Street, Suite 105Hickory Hills, IL 60457
(708) 945-0798 Map

Highland Park

North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
Principal Office
3500 Western Avenue, Suite 2AHighland Park, IL 60035
(847) 737-4042 Map

Joliet

Spanish Community Center
Principal Office
309 N. Eastern AvenueJoliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-3683 Map
Spanish Community Center
51 W. Jackson St., - Joliet Extension Office
51 W. Jackson St., Suite 210Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-3683 Map

Kankakee

Spanish Community Center
Kankakee Extension Office
187 S. Schuyler Ave., Suite 320Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 955-5470 Map

Lincolnshire

Hanul Family Alliance
Lincolnshire Extension Office
300 Knightsbridge Pkwy, Suite 125Lincolnshire, IL 60069
(847) 393-7488 Map

Lincolnwood

Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance (MIRA)
Principal Office
7301 Lincoln Ave, Suite 202Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(773) 409-4597 Map

Lombard

Pregen, Inc.
Principal Office
55 W 22nd Street, Suite 230Lombard, IL 60148
(630) 915-7720 Map

Macomb

Western Illinois DREAMers
Principal Office
204 W Jefferson StreetMacomb, IL 61455
(303) 877-7426 Map

Melrose Park

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Melrose Park Extension Office
1115 N. 23rd AvenueMelrose Park, IL 60160
(312) 427-7078 Map
P.A.S.O. - West Suburban Action Project
Principal Office
501 W North Ave., Suite #301Melrose Park, IL 60610
(708) 410-2000 Map

Moline

AKWAABA QC
Principal Office
1531 47TH Avenue, Suite 2Moline, IL 61265
(309) 716-7437 Map
World Relief
World Relief Quad Cities Extension Office
1852 16th StreetMoline, IL 61265
(309) 764-2279 Map

Mt. Prospect

Hanul Family Alliance
Principal Office
1166 S. Elmhurst RoadMt. Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 439-5195 Map

Normal

The Immigration Project, Inc.
Principal Office
211 Landmark Drive, Suite D4Normal, IL 61761
(309) 829-8703 Map

North Chicago

Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
North Chicago Extension Office
1801 Sheridan Road, Suite 101North Chicago, IL 60064
(224) 538-7270 Map

Palatine

Partners for Our Communities
Palatine Extension Office
1585 Rand RoadPalatine, IL 60074
(847) 776-9500 Map

Prospect Heights

HANA Center
Prospect Heights Extension Office
664 N. Milwaukee Avenue, # 213Prospect Heights, IL 60070
(847) 520-1999 Map

Rockford

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockford
Principal Office
1536 S Main StreetRockford, IL 61102
(815) 399-1709 Map
Rock Valley College
Principal Office
99 E. State StreetRockford, IL 61104
(815) 921-2272 Map

Round Lake Park

Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
Principal Office
6 E. Main StreetRound Lake Park, IL 60073
(847) 201-1521 Map

Skokie

Jewish Child & Family Services
Principal Office
5150 Golf RoadSkokie, IL 60077
(312) 357-4666 Map

Waukegan

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
8th Street/Waukegan Extension Office
The Community Center914 8th StreetWaukegan, IL 60085
(847) 782-4225 Map
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
South Lewis Avenue/Waukegan Extension Office
671 S. Lewis AvenueWaukegan, IL 60085
(847) 782-4225 Map
Center for Immigrant Progress
Principal Office
2424 Washington Street, Suite 210Waukegan, IL 60085
(630) 707-0898 Map
Chicago Workers Collaborative
Principal Office
300 Grand AvenueWaukegan, IL 60085
Map
The Hispanic American Community Education & Services / HACES
Principal Office
820 West Greenwood AvenueWaukegan, IL 60087
(847) 244-0300 Map

West Dundee

Alianza HispanoAmericana NFP, Inc.
Principal Office
600 Spring Hill Ring Road, Suite 107West Dundee, IL 60118
(847) 428-3682 Map

Westmont

Alliance for Immigrant Neighbors
Westmont Extension Office
117 N. Cass AvenueWestmont, IL 60559
(224) 443-0113 Map

Free help if you are in immigration court

These organizations are on the Justice Department's pro bono list for courts in Illinois. They have committed to free legal help at the court they are listed for, and many focus on deportation defense and on people in detention. Their own notes are below each one.

National Immigrant Justice Center
Non-profit · Listed for Chicago Immigration Court
111 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800Chicago, IL 60604110 East Washington StreetGoshen, IN 46528615 N. Alabama Street, Suite 126Indianapolis, IN 46204
(312) 660-1370 www.immigrantjustice.org
- Individuals who are not detained: contact our hotline at (312) 660-1328 (text message preferred) to request information
- Detained individuals in ICE detention centers: call collect at (312) 583-9721
- Detained Illinois residents: call ICIRR Family Support Network at (855) 435-7693
- Detained Indiana residents: call (773) 672-6599. The hotline is open every other Tuesday between 12:00PM-3:00PM ET
Western Illinois Dreamers
Non-profit · Listed for Chicago Immigration Court
204 W. Jefferson StreetMacomb, IL 61455
(217) 391-6860 legal@westernillinoisdreamers.org www.westernillinoisdremers.org
- No criminal background
ABA Commission on Immigration Detention Information Hotline
Referral service · Listed for Chicago Immigration Court
1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Unit 400Washington, DC 20036
immcenter@americanbar.org www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/
- Pro se case assistance for detained respondents only
- Respondents detained at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities should contact our speed dial at 2150#
- To contact on behalf of an individual detained by ICE or BOP, email immcenter@americanbar.org
- Respondents detained at Department of Defense (DOD) military facilities (including Guantanamo) should contact our toll-free hotline at 1 (855) 641-6081
Children's Legal Center
Non-profit · Listed for Chicago Immigration Court, Chicago Immigration Court Juvenile Docket
1100 W. Cermak Road, Suite 422Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 722-6642 laura@childrenslegalcenterchicago.org
- Represents detained and non-detained children
Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender
Non-profit · Listed for Chicago Immigration Court
69 W. Washington Street, Suite 1600Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-0636 pdimmigrationunit@cookcountyil.gov www.cookcountypublicdefender.org
- Detained: Cook County, IL residents in ICE custody
- Non-detained: Prior/current Public Defender clients only
- Please contact us on Wednesdays between 9AM and 11AM at (312) 603-0636
- Languages: All staff speak Spanish and have access to an interpreter line
Migrant & Immigrant Community Action (MICA) Project
Non-profit · Listed for Chicago Immigration Court
2650 Cherokee StreetSt. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 995-6995 info@mica-project.org www.mica-project.org
- Accepts clients from eastern half of MO and Southern IL

Before you call

Say what you need help with: the form (for example I-485, I-130, N-400 or a DACA renewal) and any notice you got from USCIS or the court.
Ask whether they take that kind of case, and whether there is a waiting list.
Ask about fees. Ask whether they can waive or reduce them if you cannot pay.
Ask who will work on your case: an attorney or an accredited representative.
Ask whether someone speaks your language, or whether they use an interpreter.
Have your receipt number, A-Number and notices nearby.
Free help often has waiting lists, so contact more than one organization.

Only lawyers and accredited representatives can advise you

In the U.S., a notary public or "notario" is not a lawyer and cannot give immigration legal advice, even though a notario is a lawyer in some other countries. USCIS lists who can: attorneys in good standing with a U.S. state bar, and accredited representatives who work for an organization the Justice Department recognizes.

You can check an attorney on the state bar's website, and an accredited representative on the Justice Department's roster. EOIR also publishes a list of disciplined practitioners.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get free immigration legal help in Illinois?

54 nonprofits recognized by the U.S. Justice Department to give immigration legal help have 81 offices in Illinois, with the most in Chicago, Waukegan and Elgin. 6 organizations are on the Justice Department’s list of free help for the Chicago Immigration Court. Recognized organizations serve mainly people with low incomes, and those that charge fees must have a policy for clients who cannot pay.

Are these Illinois organizations free?

Not always. Some recognized organizations charge low fees, and each one that charges must have a written policy for people who cannot pay. Providers on the pro bono list give free help to people in immigration court. Ask about fees when you call.

Can they help with my green card or citizenship application?

Recognized organizations can help with applications to USCIS, such as family-based green cards, DACA renewals and naturalization. The roster does not say which cases each office takes, so ask. Representatives marked “DHS only” on the roster can help with USCIS but cannot represent you in immigration court.

Does MyCheck recommend any of them?

No. Every organization here comes from a public Justice Department list. MyCheck does not rank or vet them, and none pays to be listed.

Sources

MyCheck is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. The organizations on this page come from public U.S. Justice Department lists. MyCheck does not endorse or recommend any of them, and no one pays to be listed. Hours, fees and services change, so call before you go. To report a mistake on this page, email info@sfdify.com.