The Illinois Supreme Court announced on April 14 amendments to several court rules aimed at addressing unmet legal needs in areas of the state known as “legal deserts.” Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. said these changes are intended to improve access to legal services, especially in rural regions where few attorneys practice.
Legal deserts refer to places with a limited number of practicing attorneys, which can leave residents without effective or affordable legal help for civil and criminal matters. According to the court, more than 91% of new Illinois resident attorneys admitted between 2020 and 2024 are working in Cook County or nearby counties, leaving many other areas underserved.
Chief Justice Neville said, “Our legal system relies on trained advocates and we continue to see a growing number of litigants coming to court without attorneys. The Illinois Supreme Court is well aware of this issue and will continue to take steps to address it.”
One key change involves Supreme Court Rule 711, which allows law students and graduates who have completed certain requirements to obtain temporary licenses under supervision. The amendment extends how long law graduates may keep their license if they do not pass the first bar exam after graduation; they may now retain it through the next bar exam as well. The rule will also allow law graduates sitting for either the Illinois or Uniform Bar Examination elsewhere easier qualification for a temporary license. On a pilot basis, these licenses will be expanded for recent graduates affiliated with private firms in select judicial circuits.
Attorney J. Timothy Eaton, Chair of the Executive Committee on the Practice of Law, said: “Too many Illinoisans do not have access to lawyers… These rule changes made by our Illinois Supreme Court provide for both additional and creative ways to make available legal assistance in ‘legal deserts’ where affordable and immediate legal help is now unavailable.”
Other amendments include removing time limits from Rule 717 for out-of-state attorneys working with legal aid or public defender programs and allowing that work toward requirements under Rule 705. Changes were also made requiring new attorneys admitted after January 1, 2028, complete basic skills courses that include training on unmet legal needs or access-to-justice topics.
These amended rules stem from recommendations by the Executive Committee and the Illinois Judicial Conference as part of ongoing efforts outlined in their strategic agenda.
