Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network Grant

The Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network Grant supports organizations that provide essential legal assistance to veterans, active military members, and their dependents. This funding, approximately $900,000 for FY24, enables services such as accessing benefits, obtaining discharge upgrades, and addressing urgent family law and housing issues. Eligible organizations must comply with the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act and demonstrate expertise in legal services for military personnel. This initiative aims to ensure equitable access to justice for low-income service members.

IL Armed Forces Legal Aid Network
The IEJF awards grants to organizations providing legal assistance and information as part of the IL Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN). IL-AFLAN is a one-stop shop where veterans, military members, and their dependents can obtain free legal help to:

• access hard-earned benefits
• obtain discharge upgrades
• solve other urgent problems like family law and housing issues
• Available Funding

Public Act 99-0281 creates the Access to Justice Fund in the State treasury, financed by a fee of $2 on the filing of the first pleading, paper, or other appearance by each party in all civil cases. The money available in the Fund therefore fluctuates with the volume of civil filings. The current amount available for FY26/Year 10 grants is approximately $1 million. Receipt of a grant in one grant cycle does not guarantee funding in the next grant cycle. All organizations must reapply if they seek continued funding.
Important Note Regarding the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act
These funds are subject to the Illinois Grant Funds Recovery Act (30 ILCS 705/5). Please familiarize yourself with the Act before applying.

Eligibility

Organizations are eligible to apply for a grant if they:Are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
Provide services to Illinois residents in one or more of the areas set forth in the “Purposes” section;
Provide services to low-income veterans, active duty military, members of the national guard, reservists, or the spouses or dependents of same in actions that are not adverse to the veteran or service member;
Adhere to income guidelines for the low-income client population that includes people whose households’ have an income up to 80% of the current Chicago Area Median Income (AMI). The City of Chicago and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development update AMI calculations yearly. Current AMI can be found on the City of Chicago website;Demonstrate a willingness to engage in a network model for service delivery. This will require organizations to take and make referrals from the hotline and other organizations via the secure electronic portal, share data, collaborate, and report on activities using standardized methods. Programs will be expected to regularly log on to the portal for network announcements, accepting and closing out referrals, and to review data and program documents and policies. This will also require a willingness to co-brand activities under the “Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network” and/or “IL-AFLAN” moniker, attend network events, and help publicize the network;Demonstrate the expertise of staff in providing services to active duty military members or veterans who will be directly involved in proposed grant-funded activities. It is further expected that staff or volunteers without such expertise will undergo initial and ongoing training to ensure competency;Utilize outcome and impact tracking to measure and evaluate the benefits of any and all services provided. Grant contracts will require organizations to use standardized measurements developed for network member activities. Particular attention will be paid to defining a nexus between military service and the legal problem addressed.

Ineligibility

Limitations:Funds may not be spent on a sectarian purpose.
Said funds may not be used for the purpose of lobbying; encouraging political activities, labor or anti-labor activities, boycotts, picketing, strikes or demonstrations; or investigative or legal compliance activities related to a pending dispute.
Funds may not be used for legal actions by a spouse or dependent that are adverse to the veteran or active duty military member.
Funds may not be used to provide services to veterans with a dishonorable discharge.
Funds may not be used to support criminal law services.
Organizations may not deny services on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, heritage, race, religion, or citizenship.
No more than 10% of grants awarded by the IEJF can be used for overhead costs. Failure to abide by this may jeopardize future funding from the IEJF.