Self-Represented Litigants

Legal Self-Help Center

The free, online legal self-help center will help you find information about your legal rights and responsibilities, videos on what happens in court and some legal documents and forms which you can fill out and file.

You can use the legal self-help center online or in the Law Library. If you visit the Law Library, a navigator may be available to help you use the legal self-help center to find the information that you need. Current Navigator hours

Other Self-Help Legal Information

If you are not working with an attorney, these sites, in addition to the legal self-help center, may help you navigate the legal system.

Peoria County Pro Bono Help Desk

Volunteer attorneys are available to meet with self-represented litigants in family law matters for 30 minute appointments, to help them understand and navigate the legal process, fill out forms and answer questions.

The help desk in Peoria County is held at the courthouse from 10 a.m. until noon on the 2nd Wednesday and 3rd Thursday of each month.

Standardized Forms

The IL Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice has approved some forms for use in all Illinois Courts. These include instructions and are fillable pdf forms that can be printed and filed with the Circuit Clerk’s office. This is a valuable resource as it ensures you are using a form that is required to be accepted in all Illinois Circuit Courts.

Peoria County Eviction Courthouse Project

Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. is available in Courtroom 203 on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and at 2:30 p.m. to provide free legal services to qualified, low income tenants facing eviction. Prairie State is a nonprofit legal aid organization, and its services are free.

If you are interested in receiving free legal services:

  • Check-in with Prairie State Legal Services in Courtroom 203 no later than 15 minutes prior to your Court hearing on the Tuesday of your first eviction hearing.
  • Bring your lease, your notice(s) of eviction, and proof of income.
  • To pre-screen for eligibility, call Prairie State’s office at 309-674-9831. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except over the noon hour. Please inform the secretary that you have an eviction hearing and that you plan to participate in the Eviction Courthouse Project.

These free legal services are available on a first come, first served basis. These services are available if you meet low income and other eligibility requirements. There is no guarantee that free legal services will be provided to all eligible persons.

The Peoria County Eviction Courthouse Project was created in collaboration with the Tenth Judicial Circuit, the Peoria County Bar Association Pro Bono Committee, the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), and Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.

ISBA Brochures

The Illinois State Bar Association offers short brochures that address common legal issues and provide relevant information on topics such as adoption, auto accidents, Hiring a Lawyer, Landlord-Tenant issues, etc.