Daily Herald opinion: Library court access pilot program a help for Illinoisans struggling through civil cases

Navigating the complex civil court system is a challenge. Now imagine trying to work through probate, family court hearings and more without a car to get to a county courthouse, a reliable internet connection to access hearings from home or the technical know-how to file electronically.

That’s the reality for too many in Illinois, and the new Court Access Library Center pilot program is helping fill the gap.

Kicked off last year — and profiled in a recent story by the Illinois Answers Project that ran in Thursday’s Daily Herald — the program offers training to participating libraries. In the suburbs, those libraries include the Addison Public Library, the Aurora Public Library, the Wauconda Public Library and the Indian Trails Public Library in Wheeling.

The program is a joint project of the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, the Chicago Bar Foundation and the Illinois Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission (ATJ). As Illinois Answers pointed out, the organizations launched the program by putting a $1,000 computer setup in 18 libraries across the state and providing legal training for staff.

Once trained, librarians can help residents with housing, family and probate law hearings. Assistance might include translation, guidance on e-filing and help logging in to remote hearings.

The program is strictly for civil cases; librarians cannot offer assistance with criminal charges.

State officials say the need is there.

There are currently only four legal aid lawyers for every 10,000 low-income residents who may require one, according to the Illinois Answers Project story. And long commutes to court — with fewer public transit options in the suburbs and rural communities — add to the challenges many residents face.

Libraries, however, are often close to home. They’re also welcoming spaces where people can get answers from people trained and eager to provide them.

The program is still in its infancy, and it may add to a librarian’s workload. But the Addison librarians interviewed by Illinois Answers Project believe in the mission. Many seeking out the program are there to get help logging on to proceedings in a quiet place with a stable internet connection.

“We’re the last free place to go,” notes Lesley Cyrier, head of adult services at the Addison library.

Libraries over time have evolved to so much more than just a place to check out books and research term papers for school. And the court access program is just one more example of the invaluable services that libraries, when supported, can provide.

We look forward to seeing the results of the pilot and, when ready, the program’s expansion. It fills an important need.