The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) have opened applications for the 2026–2027 Access to Justice (ATJ) Improvement Grant Program.
Courts across Illinois are encouraged to apply for funding to support innovative access to justice initiatives.
Courts can also join the Court Navigator Network, a statewide community of court personnel dedicated to assisting self-represented litigants and improving court services.
The Request for Proposals is now available. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Grant awards are expected to be announced during the week of August 17, with projects funded for one year beginning September 1, 2026.
How to Apply for An Access to Justice Improvement Grant
The ATJ Improvement Grant Program supports courts in enhancing access to justice, especially for litigants who are self-represented, dealing with financial burdens, or experiencing language barriers.
Over the years, grant funding has supported a variety of projects, including the creation of courthouse self-help centers, improved signage, early resolution programs for family law cases, and partnerships with public libraries to expand access to legal information and resources.
Applicants must submit a proposal online, including general applicant information, a program narrative (including partnership letters of support, if applicable), and a grant amount request. Applicants may request up to $40,000. Requests for certain technology-based programs are capped at $2,500 each.
The ATJ Commission’s Grant Selection Committee will evaluate proposals based on criteria such as demonstrated need, local support, long-term sustainability, impact on self-represented litigants, opportunities for collaboration, and the project’s creativity and potential for innovation.
How to Join the Court Navigator Network
All grant recipients of the ATJ Improvement Grant will automatically become members of the Court Navigator Network. Courts may also join the Network without applying for grant funding.
The Court Navigator Network brings together court personnel from across Illinois to share resources and best practices to better serve court users. According to the ATJ Commission, Network members report that this cross-jurisdictional information sharing is the most beneficial aspect of the program.
The Network members attend trainings once a month (remotely or in person), which cover topics such as “information vs. legal advice, making referrals, customer service, implicit bias, assisting people who are dealing with mental illness, plain language, user-centered design, communication/de-escalation, and working with court users who have low literacy levels.”
Courts interested in joining the Network without seeking grant funding may submit a Network application by July 10, 2026.
Additional information about both opportunities is available in the RFP.
Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. Subscribe here to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.
When AI Notetakers Enter Your Client Meetings: Ethical Duties and Risks for Lawyers
Using Legal Advocacy to Address School Bullying: A Q&A with Loyola Law’s Anti-Bullying Project
The post Illinois Courts Invited to Apply for 2026–2027 Access to Justice Improvement Grants appeared first on 2Civility.