The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced on June 1 that applications are open for the 2026-2027 Access to Justice Improvement Grant Program. Courts at all levels across Illinois are encouraged to apply for funding and consider joining the Court Navigator Network, which consists of court personnel who assist self-represented litigants and promote access to justice.
The Request for Proposals is currently open, with applications accepted through July 10, 2026. The grant program encourages local courts to evaluate their communities’ needs regarding access to justice. As it enters its tenth year, the Commission said it hopes courts will “dream big” in their proposals.
Previous grant funds have supported projects such as transforming underused courthouse spaces into self-help centers, updating signage for easier navigation, creating early resolution programs for divorce cases, and building partnerships with public libraries to expand legal information resources. Even if a court does not receive or request a grant, a designated staff member may still participate in the Court Navigator Network alongside grant recipients, Illinois JusticeCorps members, and Illinois Court Help guides.
Members of this network serve as liaisons between their courthouses and others throughout Illinois by sharing ideas, developing new initiatives, and supporting self-represented litigants statewide. Participation provides opportunities for local courts to connect with peers and learn about innovative projects from other jurisdictions. Additional details about joining can be found in the Request for Proposals document.
For more information about the program or application process, contact Sarah Song, Deputy Director of the ATJ Division, at 217.208.3364 or ssong@illinoiscourts.gov.
The Illinois Bar Association serves more than 28,000 members; it promotes diversity and inclusion within its ranks; recognizes excellence through awards; supports lawyers via continuing education programs; operates under an elected president along with a Board of Governors and Assembly; utilizes its Bar Center facility; and provides professional networking opportunities, according to the official website.
