2013 Illinois Compiled Statutes
Chapter 705 - COURTS
705 ILCS 95/ - Access to Justice Act.

(705 ILCS 95/1)
Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Access to Justice Act.
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)

705 ILCS 95/5

(705 ILCS 95/5)
Sec. 5. Findings.
(a) The justice system in this State can only function fairly and effectively when there is meaningful access to legal information, resources, and assistance for all litigants, regardless of their income or circumstances.
(b) Increasing numbers of people throughout this State are coming into the courts without legal representation for cases involving important legal matters impacting the basics of life such as health, safety, and shelter. In order for the courts to provide fair and efficient administration of justice in these cases, it is critical that people have better access to varying levels of legal assistance appropriate for their individual circumstances.
(c) An increasing number of active duty service members and veterans in this State have a need for legal information and assistance in a variety of matters that are often critical to their safety and independence, yet they are often unable to access that assistance.
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)

705 ILCS 95/10

(705 ILCS 95/10)
Sec. 10. Pilot programs.
(a) The General Assembly encourages the Supreme Court to develop: (i) a pilot program to create a statewide military personnel and veterans' legal assistance hotline and coordinated network of legal support resources; and (ii) a pilot program to provide court-based legal assistance within a circuit court in each appellate district of this State.
(b) The General Assembly recommends that the rules developing the pilot programs:
(1) provide intake, screening, and varying levels of

legal assistance to ensure that the parties served by these programs have meaningful access to justice;

(2) gather information on the outcomes associated

with providing the services described in paragraph (1) of this subsection; and

(3) guard against the involuntary waiver of rights or

disposition by default.

(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)

705 ILCS 95/15

(705 ILCS 95/15)
Sec. 15. Access to Justice Fund. The Access to Justice Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of fees collected under Section 27.3g of the Clerks of Courts Act. Subject to appropriation, moneys in the Access to Justice Fund shall be used by the Supreme Court for the administration of the pilot programs created under this Act.
No moneys distributed from the Access to Justice Fund may be directly or indirectly used for lobbying activities, as defined in Section 2 of the Lobbyist Registration Act or as defined in any ordinance or resolution of a municipality, county, or other unit of local government in Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)

705 ILCS 95/20

(705 ILCS 95/20)
Sec. 20. Evaluation. The Supreme Court shall study the effectiveness of the pilot programs implemented under this Act and submit a report to the General Assembly by June 1, 2017. The report shall include the number of people served in each pilot program and data on the impact of varying levels of legal assistance on access to justice, the effect on fair and efficient court administration, and the impact on government programs and community resources. This report shall describe the benefits of providing legal assistance to those who were previously unrepresented, both for the clients and the courts, and shall describe strategies and recommendations for maximizing the benefit of that representation in the future. The report shall include an assessment of the continuing unmet needs and, if available, data regarding those unmet needs.
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)

705 ILCS 95/25

(705 ILCS 95/25)
Sec. 25. Statutory Court Fee Task Force.
(a) There is hereby created the Statutory Court Fee Task Force. The purpose of the Task Force is to conduct a thorough review of the various statutory fees imposed or assessed on criminal defendants and civil litigants.
(b) The Task Force shall consist of 15 members, appointed as follows: one each by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the Senate; 2 by the association representing circuit court clerks; 2 by the Governor, and 7 by the Supreme Court.
(c) At the direction of the Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts shall provide administrative support to the Task Force.
(d) The Task Force shall submit a report containing its findings and any recommendations to the Supreme Court and the General Assembly by June 1, 2014.
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)

705 ILCS 95/30

(705 ILCS 95/30)
Sec. 30. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13; text omitted.)

705 ILCS 95/35

(705 ILCS 95/35)
Sec. 35. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13; text omitted.)

705 ILCS 95/40

(705 ILCS 95/40)
Sec. 40. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13; text omitted.)

705 ILCS 95/45

(705 ILCS 95/45)
Sec. 45. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13; text omitted.)

705 ILCS 95/99

(705 ILCS 95/99)
Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
(Source: P.A. 98-351, eff. 8-15-13.)