This month, as we celebrate our veterans and their service to our country, CARPLS is proud to be a part of the official launch of the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN).
In partnership with the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, we have implemented the first-ever statewide hotline which allows Illinois' nearly one million veterans and current service members to have free access to assistance with many legal hardships.
Legal aid is one of the most pressing and overlooked needs facing Illinois veterans. Now, with a staff fully dedicated to addressing these urgent legal matters, we can begin to fill that void. Since the soft launch in August, CARPLS has provided over 1,000 free consultations on more than 225 cases statewide, and that number continues to grow.
Jaime Martinez, Program Manager of the IL-AFLAN Hotline & Supervising Attorney of CARPLS Veterans Project, discusses the important impact of this program. "In many instances, we are the first voice of support that our clients hear. The most vulnerable in the veteran community--especially our elderly population and increasingly female members--are often in dire need of assistance. We try to provide immediate legal remedies while while working in tandem with our IL-AFLAN and social service partners on important matters such as housing.
For instance, one client was facing multiple legal issues. We coordinated emergency assistance for her while working to secure her service benefits, as well as provide her direct legal services. Now, her children have food on the table, her housing issue has been resolved, her veteran benefits are being reviewed, and an attorney is evaluating her family law matter.
This example shows the complexity in holistically addressing the legal needs of our veterans. My team provides these vital services, day in and day out," notes Jaime.
It is our hope that the new hotline will serve as a model for legal aid programs across the country. Stay tuned for an updated website for the hotline later in the month.
