Frequently Asked Questions

About Beyond Legal Aid

  • Beyond Legal Aid is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit with a community-lawyering model that partners with grassroots organizations across Illinois to provide legal support where people already gather, organize, and feel safe. Instead of asking community members to come to us, we embed legal services within the community.

  • We do not operate a centralized, traditional law office. All our legal work happens through partnerships with trusted community organizations. This model strengthens movements, builds long-term community power, and ensures that legal services are shaped by the people most impacted.

Getting Legal Help

  • I You can find the best place to get support by visiting our Legal Resources Map, where you can search by location, type of legal help, or community partner. Each partner page includes service hours, eligibility, and contact information.

  • Eligibility is shaped by each partnership. Since our legal work happens through community organizations and activist groups, access typically depends on your connection to that partner, their community, or their ongoing campaigns. Some clinics are open to the public, while others focus on specific groups-such as immigrants, survivors, workers, organizers, or people directly involved in a partner's advocacy efforts.

    Our Legal Resources Map lists the details for each site or partnership, and users , can search by legal issue area and zip code to find services.

  • Please check the details listed on the Legal Resources Map or contact the community organization to find out more.

  • We support a wide range of civil legal issues, including:

    • Housing (evictions, conditions, landlord disputes)

    • Immigration

    • Labor/Employment (Workers' rights)

    • Criminal records (sealing/expungement)

    • Criminal Defense

    • Family law

    • Public benefits

    • Civil Rights

    • Legal issues connected to community organizing campaigns

    Support varies by partner site, so check the Legal Resources Map for details.

  • Yes. Beyond attorneys provide full representation when needed, but most services begin with advice, brief services, and referrals through our community partners.

  • No. All legal services are free.

Partner Organizations & Collaboration

  • Our partners are community organizations across Illinois-mutual aid groups, worker centers, grassroots organizers, faith communities, youth groups, re-entry programs, and more. We work with them to host clinics and support their long-term organizing work.

  • Community Law Offices are organizations that host ongoing legal clinics embedded directly within the community. They serve as local hubs for legal support.

  • Activism Partnerships lead grassroots campaigns and movements. Our attorneys support their advocacy through legal research, litigation, defense, campaign strategy, and movement-aligned legal work.

  • Bridgework Partnerships focus on building long-term capacity for movement organizations-supporting internal structure, planning, mentorship, and strategic guidance to strengthen their work behind the scenes.

  • Yes. Beyond attorneys provide full representation when needed, but most services begin with advice, brief services, and referrals through our community partners.

  • No. All legal services are free.

For Community Members

  • Yes. Beyond Legal Aid serves people who live in Illinois or who have a clear connection to an Illinois-based partner organization. Immigration matters may include limited exceptions, but clients must still have ties to Illinois and come through one of our community partners.

  • Some community law offices do, but policies vary. Check the clinic information for each partner.

  • Yes. Immigration status does not affect your ability to receive services.

  • Yes. We regularly host Know Your Rights workshops through our partners and non-partner organizations. Visit our Community Empowerment Education page for more info.

For Organizations

  • If your organization is interested in hosting a legal clinic or exploring an activism or Bridgework partnership, please email us at info@beyondlegalaid.org.

  • No. We work with community groups of all kinds. While you do not need legal expertise, we look for organizations that are already engaged in some form of community activism, organizing, or legal empowerment. We are not a traditional referral-based legal aid model-our partnerships center on community power, shared strategy, and movement-aligned work.

  • Requirements vary based on the partnership type—Community Law Office, Activism Partnership, or Bridgework Partnership. Each partnership is shaped collaboratively through planning conversations to ensure the work aligns with the partner’s needs, goals, and community priorities. There is no single set of requirements; every partnership is built intentionally and uniquely.

General Questions

  • We do not take federal funding. Instead, we are funded through donations, grants, foundation support, and partnerships. We do not charge clients. Check out our Reports page for more information.

  • You can support us by donating, volunteering, attending events, or amplifying our work. Donations directly sustain community-driven legal services.

  • Beyond Legal Aid operates statewide and does not have a traditional central office. Our work takes place at partner sites throughout Illinois.

  • Visit our Contact page for general inquiries, partnership requests, or media questions.