A remodeled Law Library at the Madison County Courthouse will be officially unveiled on Wednesday.
An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Aug. 29, hosted by Third Circuit Chief Judge David Hylla.
The refurbished library, on the lower level of the Main Street building, includes more work stations for lawyers and a self-help center for the public.
Work on the remodeling was funded by a grant from the the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Illinois Courts Civil Justice Division.
"Our law Librarian, Angela Warta and our self help center staff, Lauren Jansen and Deana Lackey, with the help of Illinois Justice Corps volunteers, provide services to approximately 1,000 people per month," the chief judge said in a statement.
Hylla added, "The majority of those people get help in person at the Courthouse. Our new renovations will allow us to provide better service to the public."
Madison County is one of many jurisdictions statewide where people work together to improve public access to the justice system. The grants power that partnership.
Warta, as the Third Judicial Circuit pro cbono coordinator, is a member of a team of "Self-Represented Litigant Coordinators" across the state, the press release states.
The Law Library houses a Self-Help Center where staff can assist people who do not have attorneys in finding forms to file pleadings and other services.
It is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when the courthouse is open.
The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee reminds members of the public that free legal appointments to low income individuals who do not have attorneys are available by appointment on any legal subject except criminal law. Areas where assistance is available include subjects such as family law, debt collection, landlord-tenant and small claims.
Free appointments are held the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Law Library. Appointments are for those of limited incomes who do not have attorneys and qualifying information must be provided. To make an appointment or to volunteer, call 618-296-4472 or e-mail Lauren Jansen at lljansen@co.madison.il.us.
The open house is open to the public.