Advocacy
Illinois Workers and Families Need Fair Tax Now
Economic equity is the basis of any just society. Illinoisans cannot reach their full potential without the financial security that allows them to meet their basic needs. Yet the state’s current tax system places a higher burden on middle and lower-income families by taxing everyone at the same rate, regardless of income. But Illinoisans have the…
Read MoreLegal Council Calls on CPS to Remove Police from Schools
Legal Council joins others across the city in calling for the removal of police from Chicago Public Schools.
Read MoreSNAP Work Requirements for ABAWDs Temporarily Suspended During State of Emergency
Families First Coronavirus Response Act passed by the Congress temporarily suspends work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) during state of emergency.
Read MoreCPS Reinstates Transportation Services for Young Children
Chicago children who are enrolled in Early Childhood Special Education are finally entitled to receive comprehensive transportation services.
Read MoreNew Law Promises Improvements for Medicaid
A new Illinois law aims to improve access to health coverage for low-income Illinoisans.
Read MorePolicy Update: Creating healthy futures for Illinoisans
The fight for health justice continues in Illinois with many bills to protect and expand access to healthy futures in Illinois.
Read MoreEarly Intervention Pilot Study for Lead-Exposed Kids
Last week, Huffington Post featured Legal Council’s first-of-its-kind Early Intervention (EI) pilot for infants and toddlers. The pilot provides lead-exposed kids with the support they need to overcome potential learning disabilities and developmental delays before they go to school. As of right now there are only 18 states that offer automatic eligibility for EI to lead-exposed kids…
Read MoreNew Program Gives Justice-Involved Persons Living with Serious Mental Illness Free Legal Support
Justice-involved individuals living with serious mental illness now have access to civil legal assistance, thanks to a new partnership between Legal Council for Health Justice and Thresholds. Under the partnership, individuals with serious mental illness who are served by Thresholds’ Justice Program now have access to free, trauma-informed benefits advocacy. Individuals with serious mental illness…
Read MoreLegal Council partner Dr. Hamp receives high honor
Longtime Legal Council advocate and friend Dr. Nicole Hamp recently was awarded the Anne E. Dyson Child Advocacy Award from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Nicole Hamp, Ann Hilton Fisher Advocate Award honoree, and Larry Yellen, Gala host, at Legal Council’s 30th Anniversary Gala, Oct. 13, 2018. Hamp received this exceptional honor for her work…
Read MoreNew publication: Advocating for automatic eligibility for EI services
Legal Council’s Children and Families Partnerships Director Amy Zimmerman recently published a special issue article titled “Advocating for Automatic Eligibility for Early Intervention Services for Children Exposed to Lead.” The article was co-authored with Dr. Nicole Hamp, a third-year pediatric resident at our medical-legal partnership site Comer Children’s Hospital, and Jessica Hoffen, former Legal Council…
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