Legal Services

●Legal Assistance and Self-Help Centers●
Prairie State Legal Services
Prairie State Legal Services offers free legal services for low income persons and those over 60 who have serious civil legal problems and need legal help to solve them. We prioritize cases involving serious risk to the health or safety of our clients in those situations where a legal solution can remedy the issue. These situations include certain utility shut-offs, domestic violence and abuse cases, denials of essential medical care and similar situations.
Income guidelines. Before calling, check out the illinoislegalaid.org website if you can. It might answer some questions for you. M-F 8:30-5:00.
  • 303 North Main Street, Suite 600
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-965-2902
- http://pslegal.org
Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic
The Clinic provides an opportunity for NIU College of Law students, working under the supervision of a licensed attorney, to provide representation to senior citizens and persons of limited means who would otherwise not be able to afford a lawyer. The Clinic assists seniors with wills, powers of attorney, consumer fraud, guardianship, and elder abuse. The Clinic helps domestic violence survivors in orders of protection cases, represents defendants in misdemeanor cases, and mediates disputes in small claims, landlord tenant, and child visitation cases. Through the Pro Se Divorce Clinic, information is provided to people seeking a divorce without a lawyer. Hours: M-F 8:30-5:00.
  • 319 W. State Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-962-9980
- http://www.niu.edu
Winnebago County Legal Self-Help Center
The Legal Self-Help Center makes available correct and current information on Illinois law and court proceedings. A Navigator is present to assist with using the available computer and print resources. Be advised, the Navigator cannot give out legal advice or tell someone which forms to use. A navigator is available to assist with materials M-F 8:00-5:00.
  • Winnebago County Courthouse
    400 West State Street, Room 304
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Fax/ Phone: 815-319-4526
- http://winnebago.illinoislegalaid.org
Boone County Legal Self-Help Center
The Legal Self-Help Center makes available correct and current information on Illinois law and court proceedings. A Navigator is present to assist with using the available computer and print resources. Be advised, the Navigator cannot give out legal advice or tell someone which forms to use. A Navigator is available to assist with materials M-F 12:00-4:00.
  • Boone County Courthouse
    601 North Main Street
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-547-8083
- http://boone.illinoislegalaid.org/
● Referral Services (Bar Association)●
Winnebago County Bar Association
The WCBA operates a lawyer referral service. Referrals are done by phone from 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 4:00 daily. There is a $35.00 fee, payable in advance for a half hour consultation with an attorney in their office. Referral information is also available on the WCBA web page.
  • 321 West State Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-964-5152
- http://www.wcbarockford.org
● Government Agencies●
Winnebago County State's Attorney
The mission of the State's Attorney's Office is to serve the interests of the people of Winnebago County by fairly prosecuting violations of the Illinois Criminal Statutes and Winnebago County ordinances, by being attentive to the concerns of victims and witnesses that arise from those violations, and by providing legal services to all offices of Winnebago County Government.
  • 400 West State Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-319-4700
  • Fax: 815-319-4701
- View Site
Boone County State's Attorney
The Boone County State's Attorney serves to protect children and to prosecute both adult and juvenile offenders. The State's Attorney prosecutes adults and juveniles who have been charged with committing traffic, misdemeanor, or felony offenses. The State's Attorney also files civil actions against parents and guardians who abuse or neglect their children. M-F 8:00-5:00.
  • 601 North Main Street
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-544-0868
- View Site
Illinois Attorney General
The Attorney General is Illinois' chief legal officer and is responsible for protecting the public interests of the state and its residents. The Attorney General provides services that cover a broad range of issues, reaching every corner of Illinois. The Child Support Enforcement Division of the Attorney General's Office, in conjunction with the Department of Public Aid, handles child support enforcement in 89 counties across the State of Illinois.

Northern Illinois Regional Office:
  • Zeke Giorgi Center
    200 South Wyman Street. Suite #307
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-967-3883
  • TTY: 815-967-3891

Chicago Main Office:
  • 100 West Randolph Street
    Chicago, IL 60601
    200 South Wyman Street. Suite #307
  • Phone: 312-814-3000
  • TTY: 800-964-3013
- http://www.IllinoisAttorney General.gov
● Juvenile Justice●
Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center
The Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center is a 24 hour facility that provides secure "Care, Custody, and Discipline" for minors held by the courts of the 17th Judicial Circuit. District #205 provides educational services and the Mildred Berry Center provides mental health counseling. Minors also participate in daily staff-led programming on topics such as anger management, life skills, and government.
  • 5350 Northrock Drive
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-516-2980
- http://www.co.winnebago.il.us
Winnebago County Juvenile Probation Department
Juvenile Probation is mandated to address juvenile delinquency in Winnebago County. Offenders under the ages of 18 are referred to this department by law enforcement agencies. However, 17 year old felony offenses are considered adult charges. The Intake Unit deals with minors pre-court. This includes the Assessment Center which serves as a central reception center for minors who have been arrested. The Field Unit provides supervision and case management for minors assigned to probation. The Department also operates a Day Reporting Center for adjudicated minors. A minor can remain under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court until age 21.

Juvenile Probation:
  • 420 West State Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-516-2700

Juvenile Assessment Center and Day Reporting Center:
  • 5330 Northrock Drive
    Rockford, IL 61103
  • Phone: 815-633-7024
- http://www.co.winnebago.il.us
Boone County Juvenile Probation Department
The Juvenile Probation Department monitors criminally charged minors who are given court orders allowing them to remain in the community. The juveniles are supervised through contacts with the parents, school and community resources in an attempt to hold juveniles and their families accountable for the court ordered conditions. Hours: M-F 8:30-5:00.
  • 601 North Main Street
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-544-9806
- View Site
● Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)●
Winnebago County CASA
CASA is a program of volunteers appointed by the Juvenile Court Judge to act as a Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children who proceed through the court system. It is CASA's mandate to get to know the children, gather all pertinent information, and then make recommendations to the Judge about what is in the best interests of the children. CASA's ultimate goal is to find a safe permanent home for every child CASA represents.
  • 403 Elm Street
    Rockford, IL 61101
  • Phone: 815-319-6880
  • Fax: 815-319-6881
- http://www.winnebagocountycasa.org
Boone County CASA
The Boone County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program was started in 1991 as a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused, neglected and dependent children throughout Boone County. Volunteer Advocates are appointed by the Court to act as a child's Guardian ad Litem (GAL). They perform a thorough investigation of the minor's situation which includes visiting the home and speaking with anyone who may have relevant information. The advocate compiles all the information and submits it, along with specific recommendations, to the Juvenile Court Judge. In a system where children can easily "slip through the cracks" the advocate is able to provide stability and a powerful voice for the child so that his/her best interests are always protected.
  • 130 S State St # 209
    Belvidere, IL 61008
  • Phone: 815-547-6599
  • Fax: 815-547-6588
- http://www.boonecountycasa.org