Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022 July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022
Vision A just society where all people have equitable access to opportunities.
Mission Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) opens opportunities for justice by educating Illinoisans about their rights and connecting them to lawyers, solutions, and each other. Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is open to all. Working with and helping people with a wide variety of lived experience brings us closer to meeting our ideal of a society where all people can get justice. Because our services and products—like the law—are for everyone, we believe in including everyone. We know that justice is scarcest for those who need it most. People with intersectionalities of historically oppressed identities face the greatest barriers to justice. ILAO seeks to break these barriers. ILAO believes that, equipped with the right tools, opportunities, and connections, people can shift the power differentials and use the law to get justice. Inclusion, equity, and diversity are key in our work to champion opportunities, equality, and justice for those who need it most. As a community and individuals, we honor and respect differences; practice equity; and support the professional development and wellness of our colleagues.
We open opportunities for people to get justice.
2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (as of 6/2022) David Hambourger (Chair) Chief Information Officer Chapman and Cutler LLP Sean Kruskol (Vice-Chair) Principal | Cornerstone Research Renee McMahon (Treasurer) Vice President Charles River Associates Matthew Wirig (Secretary) Partner | Chapman and Cutler LLP Karim Basaria Partner | Sidley & Austin Craig Boston Law Office of Craig L. Boston Amos Budde Fish Town Analytics David Ellis HR Governance Partner | LinkedIn Kristina Hendricks Partner | Jones Day Catherine Herrmann Prairie State Legal Services (ret.) Kenneth Jennings President | Gridiron Alliance Elizabeth Khalil Managing Director and Associate General Counsel | CIBC Greg Leighton Partner | Polsinelli Bruce Lithgow Beyond Legal Partners Anand Mathew Partner | Palmersheim & Mathew LLP Sandy Morris Counsel | Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C. Chris Petrini-Poli Executive Chairman | HBR Consulting Heather Russell Executive Vice President/Chief Legal Officer | TransUnion Tim Smith Managing Director, Chief Corporate Counsel | CME Group Barry Solomon Vice President, Sales Advisors Litera Microsystems Jennifer Woods Associate General Counsel Kraft Heinz Corporation
Board Chair and Executive Director Letter
The future of justice begins with the acknowledgment that our legal system is broken. Major repairs are needed to fix the inaccessibility and bias entrenched in our legal institutions. In fiscal year 2022 (FY22), these inequities were exacerbated by new variants, supply chain problems, continued gun violence, and other crises. While these crises were felt worst by those with the least resources available to address them, Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) brought help and hope to 2.1 million Illinoisans. For ILAO, FY22 offered new opportunities to collaborate, connect, and co-create positive change. No other Illinois legal provider helps so many, especially in the dark of night, when people in need feel most alone. More than half of the people ILAO helps access services via their mobile device, and at times when traditional legal services are closed. We welcome you to our FY22 Annual Report, The Future of Justice, where we invite you to witness not only our progress during the year, but also our future direction. Earlier this year, ILAO completed a comprehensive strategic planning process, involving a myriad of stakeholders and resulting in an ambitious and inspired set of goals, strategies, and objectives. Our mission—to open opportunities for justice—would not be possible without the unwavering support and stewardship of our board of directors, the generosity of our benefactors, the commitment of our partners, and the selfless dedication of our staff and volunteers. Your support of ILAO recognizes that in creating a better future for people with the fewest opportunities for justice, we ensure a better life for us all.
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
The future of justice begins with… Working together towards a common goal
One of the basic tenets of usability is ‘you are not your user’. Designing and evaluating tools and services for over 20 years has taught us to be humble, to test our assumptions, and to engage the experts—people without lawyers who have civil legal problems in Illinois. Therefore, ILAO will transform and co-create products and services directly with people for whom the legal system was not designed to better meet their needs. Although we provide help to people throughout a legal problem’s phases—before, during and after—less than 20% of the people ILAO currently serves return for help. In light of this, ILAO will expand opportunities for people to partner with ILAO along the length of their legal journey through strategic engagement and more frequent and effective communication. Strategic Planning Between November and June of 2022, ILAO’s stakeholders—staff, Board, volunteers, donors, funders, community partners, and clients—help to craft a vision and goals for the next 5 years. All told, more than 1100 people participated in ILAO’s strategic planning process. Our stakeholders openly shared their experiences, ideas, opportunities, and challenges to help make the future of justice more equitable, collaborative, and effective. The plan that emerged from our months-long process focuses on three crucial initiatives. Working together, we will: REFINE AND GROW SERVICES. With input and partnership from those served, further simplify, enhance existing and create new, relevant tools and services to optimally, equitably, adaptively, and effectively meet their needs. “I’m just getting started but your input helped me to feel more confident.”
EXPAND VISIBILITY . Promote ILAO’s visibility and equity focus with primary audiences to broaden brand awareness, strengthen marketing return on investment, and grow revenue with an emphasis on diversifying and enhancing the donor base. “This should be advertised more. You are doing a great service that could change thousands of people’s lives. God bless you all.” As a provider of free 24/7 help that can be accessed anonymously, we open opportunities for justice… as long as people know about us. ILAO should no longer be a best kept secret. We want everyone who can benefit from ILAO to know we exist. To
do this, we will refine our brand identity and increase brand awareness. We
will develop and invest in a proactive marketing plan that encompasses primary audiences and expands visibility.
We want those, like you, who support equitable justice to know about and contribute to ILAO. We will develop concise message points that articulate and promote ILAO’s unique value proposition to our primary audiences. ILAO’s plans inspire investors and drive new partnership and revenue opportunities.
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We open opportunities for people to get justice
STRATEGIC PLANNING STATS:
3 Surveys
10 One-on-one Interviews (donors, clients, partners)
DEEPEN CONNECTIONS. Develop, strengthen and institutionalize community and internal organizational partnerships to equitably address the needs of those served and each other, particularly in communities with less access to the legal system. ILAO is one of the few statewide legal organizations that serves people in every area of the state. In fact, ILAO helped people from at least 92% of Illinois’ 1050 residential zip codes. As a small organization—and one built through collaborative initiatives— partnerships are at the heart of what we do. By focusing on growing and deepening our internal and external partnerships, we will uplift our role as a connector and relationship builder and sustainer. Internally, ILAO’s Staff and Board will better connect, learn from one another, and deepen our relationships to better work together towards achieving our mission. Externally, we will identify and leverage the shared interests of current and future community partners. We will explore opportunities to be a convenor to align and activate partners around fellowship with and service to the community. Working together, we have big plans that inspire and propel action and create positive change.
20+ Collaborative Meetings (workshops, roundtables, and working groups)
195 Days
1100+ Participants
1 Ambitious, synergistic plan
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
The future of justice begins with… Self-Advocacy
Client Testimonial NAME: Kae S. HOME: Springfield, Illinois GOAL: Maintain stable housing for her family
Kae received an eviction notice on February 25 from her landlord to be out of her unit the following week. While Kae had applied—and was approved—for emergency rental assistance, her landlord had yet to receive it. With a toddler at home and a full-time job, she knew she couldn’t pack, move, and find a safe place for her family to live in one week. She was really stressed. She took a deep breath and went to her local courthouse. There, the clerk told her about IllinoisLegalAid.org . Kae used ILAO’s step-by-step instructions to learn how to stand up for her rights, “It was clear and really helped. I learned a lot.” She completed her court papers using ILAO’s Easy Form app , that
works like TurboTax ® . “I loved the Easy Form—you answer the
questions and it puts your info in the right place on the paperwork.”
She got nervous preparing for the court hearing, and used ILAO’s Get Legal Help tool to apply for and obtain free legal advice about how to represent herself in court. Armed with her new knowledge and legal advice, she went to court. Not only was she able to dismiss the eviction, she negotiated a new lease with her landlord. “People are scared and discouraged. ILAO was a blessing. I now share it with others so they know they have legal rights and how to fight for them.”
“This assistance came right on time. As a mom that’s all you want is to keep a warm safe roof over the families heads. Thank you very much.”
KAE WAS ONE OF MORE THAN 33,000 ILLINOISANS THAT ILAO HELPED WITH EVICTION LAST FISCAL YEAR
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We open opportunities for people to get justice
The future of justice begins with… Access for people without lawyers
Who We Serve
FREE TO ALL. Everyone is eligible for ILAO’s help—there are no income or other eligibility requirements. There is no paywall, or demand that users surrender their personal information to gain access. Because of this, the people who ILAO serves may choose to remain anonymous, giving them a greater sense of control over their lives, at a time when they need it most. ALWAYS OPEN: During daytime hours, 62% of people ILAO helps are on a mobile device. Between 10pm–6am each night, this number jumps to 83% of people on mobile. For 500+ Illinoisans each night between midnight and 5am, ILAO is a light in their darkest hour.
3% Did not disclose
15% Black
77% White
47% White
29% Black
RACIAL/ETHNIC DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
RACIAL/ETHNIC DEMOGRAPHIC OF GET LEGAL HELP
18% Hispanic
2% Multi-racial
2020 Census
15% Hispanic
6% Asian
3% Multi-racial
3% Asian
91% People who used ILAO’s Get Legal Help tool fall below 300% of the federal poverty line
IN FY22, ILAO SERVED PEOPLE FROM 90% OF ILLINOIS’ RESIDENTIAL ZIP CODES.
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
The future of justice begins with… Education and support
Year in Review
Case Study: WHAT’S IN A NAME? Recent studies show that nearly 2% of American adults, and more than 5% of adults under 30 identify themselves as trans or nonbinary. For these individuals and many others, exercising the legal rights to change one’s name and gender marker are crucial to living their true identity. For domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, a name change for themselves
“Illinois Legal Aid provided me with needed information and personal support to help me exercise my legal rights and allow my voice to be heard. I’m abundantly grateful… when so often we are left at the mercy of a system that overwhelms us into silence. Thank you!”
or a child provides additional protection and increases safety. In FY22, ILAO guided more than 7,000 people on how to change their name, or their child’s name. By providing plain-language explanations and step-by-step tools, as well as a TurboTax ® -like ‘Easy Form’, ILAO improves the experience of going to court.
IN FY22, ILAO HELPED 51% MORE PEOPLE WITH NAME CHANGE AND GENDER IDENTITY RIGHTS, COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR
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We open opportunities for people to get justice
The future of justice begins with… Hope and help
Case Study: DEBT STRESS
Although ‘debtors prison’ has been illegal in Illinois since 2013, rising interest rates, inflation, and supply chain issues have increased the amount and percentage of debt owed by millions of Illinoisans. Credit reporting agencies note that the average credit card debt for an American adult is around $5300.
In the last 4 months of FY22, the numbers of people seeking ILAO’s help with debt- related issues increased nearly 60%, from 18,500 to 29,000. Demand for the Spanish-language version of Can you go to jail for unpaid debt? increased more than 300% during this period, from 2,300 to over 10,000 people.
“Thank you guys again for having this service available for the public, FOR FREE. It was such a big big help to me.”
ILAO HELPED 60% MORE PEOPLE WITH DEBT ISSUES IN FY22, COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
The future of justice begins with… Generosity and commitment
Thank you, FY22 donors! FY22 was another year of challenges—a continuing public health crisis, supply chain issues, inflation, gun violence, and intolerance. Thanks to our investors, Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) raised more money and offered more help and hope to our Illinois neighbors and communities most affected by these crises. Their support ensures that much more of our time (80%) is spent meeting our mission, rather than asking for support.*
Donor Profile
MARCELO HALPERN Partner, Perkins Coie LLP Co-Chair Technology Transactions & Privacy Group, Member of Executive Committee Why did you first give to or get involved with ILAO? That first lunch with Lisa and Todd got me hooked. It was the dawn of the internet era and, as a technology lawyer and aficionado, the power of the platform to reach people and transform lives was so obviously compelling. I was hooked from the start. What about ILAO most resonates with you? I think the most compelling thing about ILAO’s platform is that the inherent scalability of the technology empowers accessibility, reach, empowerment, and efficiency. Whenever ILAO creates content to address one problem, it instantly helps multitudes. ILAO is unique in it’s ability to help people who need help the most.
Why should others give to or get involved with ILAO? There’s still so much to do. There are areas of law that ILAO hasn’t yet been able to address. The law is always changing and ILAO has to continually update its content to respond. We need to expand access to even more languages to reach immigrant populations for whom English is too difficult to understand (and legal English is a challenge even for native speakers!). The technology at the core of ILAO’s delivery model is also changing and needs updating. For anyone that believes in giving back to the community, there are lots of ways of doing it by supporting ILAO!
“Great service. The best. I feel better now. thank you.”
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We open opportunities for people to get justice
INDIVIDUAL DONORS Christine Albright Kimball R. and Karen Gatsis Anderson IV Ashton Kourtney Baltzer Karim Basaria and Sobia Ansari
Russell Scott Barry and Luda Solomon Elysia Solomon Chris Stacey Ronald Staudt and Tina O’Connor Dona Stewart Tina Tchen Jon Wasserman Michael Wasserman Matt and Christy Wirig Jennifer Woods Kim Yapchai Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP State Farm Thompson Coburn LLP Thomson Reuters TransUnion UL Solutions Winston & Strawn LLP Zurich American Insurance Company
Alison Larson Hannah Lee
Chris Crone David Cwik Matt DalSanto Gwendelyn Daniels Michael Draz Stephen Paul Durchslag
Michael D. Lurie Anand Mathew Mike and Renee McMahon
Samuel Mendenhall Sandy L. Morris and Derrick Sandford Lynn Murray Courtney and Jillayne Nottage Gerald Richardson Teri Ross Heather J. Russell John Eric Schaal
Todd Flaming Nancy Gerrie
Julie Bauer and Paul Greenberg Amos Budde John Cashman Paul Clement Joy Cmiel and Dave Hambourger
Daniel Graham Marcelo Halpern
Brent and Kristina Hendricks Jack and Catherine Herrmann
Kevin Kamraczewski Elizabeth Khalil and Peter Belytschko
Linda Coberly Lisa Colpoys
CORPORATION, LAW FIRM, AND ORGANIZATION DONORS Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Neal Gerber & Eisenberg LLP Nextpoint O’Melveny & Myers LLP Perkins Coie LLP Quality EDGAR Solutions, LLC Quilling, Selander, Lownds, Winslett & Moser PC Reed Smith LLP
Haystack HBR Consulting Jenner & Block Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Kirkland & Ellis LLP Latham & Watkins LLP Legility Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC Litera Loeb & Loeb LLP McDermott Will & Emery
Chapman and Cutler LLP Charles River Associates Clark Hill PLC The Claro Group LLC Constellation Brands, Inc. Cornerstone Research CrossRealms International DISCO Envoy Global Epsilon Economics Goldberg Kohn Foundation
Round Table Group, Inc. Schuckit & Associates Shook Hardy & Bacon Sidley Austin LLP
FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT DONORS Administrative Office of Illinois Courts American College of Bankruptcy The Chicago Bar Foundation
Illinois Housing Development Authority Kirkland & Ellis Foundation Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois Perkins Coie Foundation Polk Bros Foundation Public Interest Law Initiative Sidley Austin Foundation
Illinois Access to Justice Illinois Bar Foundation Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Illinois Equal Justice Foundation
*Due to space constraints, donors whose contributions totaled $1,000 or more in FY22 are listed in this annual report. Please see our complete list of all FY22 donors and know we are grateful for all donations received this year. Every gift makes a difference.
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
The future of justice begins with… Strategic investment
Financials JULY 1, 2021–JUNE 30, 2022
At ILAO we understand that we are stewards of the gifts made by donors and sustaining strong finances is critical to achieving our mission. A dedicated Finance Director and engaged Finance Committee oversee fiscal reporting and spending. We are continuously researching best industry best practices and staying abreast of changes in accounting rules. These robust practices have positioned ILAO to be in one of its strongest financial positions in its history and well poised to act on and meet our ambitious strategic goals!
INCOME SOURCES Foundations
$1,472,448
Special Events Contributions Earned Revenue
496,624 89,977 167,270 233,988
INCOME SOURCES Fiscal Year 2022
In-Kind
Other Income
1,556
Total Income
$2,461,863
EXPENSES
PERCENTAGE
Foundations Special Events Contributions Earned Revenue In-Kind Other Income
Program
$1,947,166
79% 13%
Adminstrative
332,104 194,603
8%
Fundraising
$2,473,873
Total Expenses
($12,010)
Net Loss
FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES Fiscal Year 2022
“This service is priceless! Thank you so much for providing it.”
Program Administration Fundraising
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We open opportunities for people to get justice
The future of justice begins with… YOU
Volunteer Stats In FY22, ILAO volunteers donated more than 4,500 hours to help keep our legal information accurate, translated, and findable. At $50/hour, that’s more than $225,000 ! • Legal content volunteers reviewed more than 40,000 words, ensuring that ILAO’s tools are up-to-date • LiveHelp volunteers took nearly 20,000 chats, helping people find the information they need to resolve their legal issue • Spanish- and Polish-speaking volunteers helped translate more than 100,000 words • Community navigators gave more than 200 know-your-rights presentations to nearly 7,000 people impacted by incarceration and immigration policies
Want to get involved? Volunteers are our lifeline! If you have time and talent to share with ILAO, consider these opportunities to get involved: • Legal Content Volunteers help ensure that we are providing accurate information to Illinoisans in need; we rely on volunteer attorneys to help us review our content for legal accuracy. Sign up to make a + impact ! • Young Professionals Board is a group of leaders who are aged 40 and under, connected to the legal or technology industries, and wish to further the ILAO’s mission. Email Alexa Markoff .
• Community Navigators act as community educators and connectors by engaging with members of impacted communities and conducting public educational presentations to provide access to and help with legal self-help tools. Email Amy Clark .
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
The future of justice begins with… Awareness
ILAO in the News During the past year, ILAO has secured a wealth of news stories that have been broadcast and published in over 135 media outlets including Associated Press, US News and World Report , National Public Radio (NPR) ABC7-Chicago, WCIA-Champaign, WFIR-Rockford, WGN-Chicago, Belleville News-Democrat-Belleville , WBEZ-Chicago, Quad City Times , Miami Herald , WSIL, WREX-Rockford, Houston Chronicle, Peoria Journal Star, WEEK-Peoria among others. This media coverage addressed crucial legal topics ranging from eviction and housing, cannabis expungement, LGBTQ rights, legal deserts and the justice gap among other topics that impact the day-to-day lives of Illinois residents. Please visit www.illinoislegalaid.org/about/about-ilao/news to learn more.
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We open opportunities for people to get justice
The future of justice begins with… Listening and learning
“I think your great!! I have learned a lot about IL laws on this website and have recommended you to many friends. Keep up the good work and thank you!”
Regina, 2/28/2022, General Assistance Eligibility
“Just wanted to say that I love this website...very informative and user friendly. I have learned alot since I found you!” RB, 1/30/2022, Contact Us
“Illinois Legal Aid has been a God send for me. I was able to find any information that I needed.” Anonymous, 3/4/2022, Get Legal Help
“Thank you so so much. ” Mik, 6/9/2022, Parenting Plan Easy Form
“If it wasn’t for legal aid, I would be standing alone in a wrongful eviction.” Anonymous, 3/4/2022, Get Legal Help
“Very helpful and necessary when you don’t have money to defend yourself. I now have an understanding for the process.” Geb, 5/30/2022, Appearance Easy Form
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Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) • IllinoisLegalAid.org
“Behind every great service is an dedicated, diverse, and inclusive staff. Thank you, to our staff, for the compassion you put into your work each day.”
© 2022 Illinois Legal Aid Online. All rights reserved. ILAO is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ILAO’s tax identification number is 20-2917133.
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