title
PROPOSED CONTRACT
Department(s): Office of the Chief Judge
Vendor: Chicago Bar Foundation, Chicago, Illinois
Request: Authorization for the Chief Procurement Officer to enter into and execute
Good(s) or Service(s): Legal advice services
Contract Value: $4,295,796.00
Contract period: 5/1/2026 - 4/30/2031 with two (2) one-year renewal options
Contract Utilization: The Contract specific goal set on this Contract is Zero.
Potential Fiscal Year Budget Impact:
FY 2026-$464,234.00
FY 2027 $813,688.00
FY 2028 $844,829.00
FY 2029 $877,092.00
FY 2030 $910,618.00
FY 2031 $385,335.00
Accounts: 11100.1310.33790.520830
Contract Number(s): 2413-03261
Summary: Requesting authorization for the Chief Procurement Officer to enter into a contract with The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) to provide no-cost legal advice and assistance to pro-se litigants involved in eviction matters in the First Municipal District (Chicago) or for those who seek guardianship of minors in the Court's Probate Division. Services include staffing and volunteer coordination for The Legal Advice Desk for Eviction Court Defendants and for the Guardianship Assistance Help Desk for Minors.
The role of the CBF is to oversee and coordinate volunteer lawyers who, in conjunction with court staff, work to ensure litigants receive legal assistance. The CBF works with two local legal aid organizations, Coordinated Advice & Referral Programs for Legal Services and Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc., to link pro-se litigants to attorneys who provide pro bono legal assistance. Assistance may include in-court representation in appropriate matters. Thousands of pro-se litigants with pending eviction cases receive free legal assistance from the help desk to better prepare them for their court appearances, contributing to the fair, impartial and efficient administration of justice.
The CBF also manages off-site legal services and coordinates volunteer attorneys for the Court's Guardianship Assistance Help ...
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