Members of the judiciary in Madison County are flagging up free civil legal services and the network of groups available to support veterans.
Madison County Circuit Court announced ahead of Veterans' Day this it is hosting 30 minute legal consultations for veterans on two dates in November.
Local attorneys will be available talk to veterans pro bono on Nov. 13 and Nov. 17 in the Law Library of the county court house, on Main Street in Edwardsville. The 3rd Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee is taking the lead in organizing the Legal Advice Clinic.
“The goal of our committee is to connect Madison County veterans to legal services,” said Associate Judge Martin Mengarelli, a U.S. Army veteran.
“This program is a service to our veterans and recognizes their service to our country”, added Chief Judge David Hylla.
Veterans in need of legal assistance are asked to contact Lauren Jansen at 618-296-4472 or by email at lljansen@co.madison.il.us. She can schedule a thirty minute appointment.
This legal service is one of a number available to veterans in Illinois, including those provided by the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN).
Il-AFLAN, founded ahead of the last year's Veterans' Day, is an umbrella for organizations that offer former service members free legal help on a variety of issue, including family, housing, and consumer problems. It also has experts in upgrading discharges and on benefit appeals.
“Illinois is home to nearly one million veterans and active duty service members. We have a responsibility to protect their rights much like they have fought to protect our rights,” said Trish McGill, U.S. Army Veteran and Chair of the Illinois Access to Civil Justice Council, at the launch of the network last year.
The Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation is an IL-AFLAN partner. They provide advice and full representation to veterans facing divorce, parenting issue, housing and consumbrr problems.
To access these services, call the IL-AFLAN hotline at 1-855-IL-AFLAN (855-452-3526) or Land of Lincoln Legal Advice and Referral Center at 1-877-342-7891.
Further, the Veteran’s Assistance Commission (VAC) is located in the Madison County Administration building. It also provides services to honorably discharged military veterans and their families who live in the country. The VAC can be contacted by calling 618-296-4554.