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Illinois Legal Aid Online

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 202917133 ✦ Chicago, IL ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Illinois Legal Aid Online?

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) is a nonprofit organization situated in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to providing legal assistance and resources to individuals who may not have access to traditional legal services. The organization serves over half of its users through mobile devices, offering 24/7, free, and user-friendly legal tools such as self-help guides, interactive court forms, videos, and a real-time chat service. In the fiscal year 2022, ILAO assisted approximately 16% of Illinois' population, addressing a wide range of legal issues, including eviction, food insecurity, domestic abuse, and divorce. The organization's highest volume services cater to family law, aiming to make the complex legal system more accessible for individuals without legal aid. Beyond its interactive legal education and solutions library, ILAO also offers Easy Forms apps, which help create personalized, accurate court forms, and a triage, intake, and referral system, connecting eligible applicants to free and low-cost legal providers. With a mission to educate Illinoisans about their rights and connect them to lawyers and solutions, ILAO strives to lower barriers to the law and provide people with the knowledge and guidance needed to advocate for themselves. Since its inception in 2001, ILAO has been utilizing technology and partnerships to make the law actionable and accessible for all people, regardless of their financial or legal background.


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 99% (Four-Star out of Four Stars)

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) has received a 99% rating on Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong performance, particularly in accountability and finance, where it scored a perfect 100%. The organization is noted for having a fully independent board of directors, effective oversight practices, and a commendable program expense ratio of 78.66%, signifying that a significant portion of its funds is directed towards its mission. The leadership is also recognized for its adaptability, having successfully navigated challenges in the past year.

User feedback highlights ILAO’s effective use of technology to provide accessible legal information and resources to underserved communities in Illinois. Many users and board members commend the organization for its comprehensive tools that empower individuals facing legal issues, thereby democratizing access to justice. Reviews often praise the organization for its supportive work environment and commitment to staff mental health, especially during the pandemic, indicating a strong organizational culture.

While the overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive, there are isolated negative comments that reflect personal grievances, suggesting potential areas for improvement in client interactions. However, these critiques do not overshadow the general consensus that ILAO is a vital resource for many who lack access to legal assistance, reinforcing its role as a critical player in the legal aid landscape in Illinois.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.

What do the Facebook reviews say about Illinois Legal Aid Online?

90% of 23 reviewers on Facebook recommend Illinois Legal Aid Online. Here is a summary of their reviews: Many users appreciate the valuable legal advice provided by the organization. The general sentiment indicates that people find the resource helpful and effective for navigating legal issues.

The positive responses highlight the accessibility and quality of the information available, suggesting that Illinois Legal Aid Online fulfills a crucial need for legal guidance among its users. Overall, the organization is viewed as a reliable source of support in obtaining legal help.


This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.

Is Illinois Legal Aid Online legitimate?

Illinois Legal Aid Online is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Illinois Legal Aid Online submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $172,859
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $913,199

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

What is the mission statement of Illinois Legal Aid Online?

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) strives to promote justice by educating Illinois residents about their rights and connecting them with legal professionals and resources. The organization's mission is particularly focused on individuals who may have been overlooked by the traditional legal system. Through innovation and alliance, ILAO makes the law more actionable and accessible. Their vision is a just society where everyone has equal access to opportunities. ILAO believes that with the right knowledge and guidance, individuals can effectively advocate for themselves. The organization provides 24/7, plain-language tools in three languages, enabling families to understand and assert their legal rights. ILAO supports people who cannot afford or find legal representation, helping them navigate the justice system. Since its inception in 2001, ILAO has utilized technology and partnerships to lower barriers to the law, enabling people facing challenges to justice to comprehend their options, make informed decisions, and represent themselves in court.


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

Who is the CEO of Illinois Legal Aid Online?

Teresa Ross is the Executive Di of Illinois Legal Aid Online.


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

What is the revenue of Illinois Legal Aid Online?

Illinois Legal Aid Online's revenue in 2022 was $2,162,489.


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

Who are the executives of Illinois Legal Aid Online and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Illinois Legal Aid Online during 2022 was $57,161. There are 19 employees and 148 volunteers at Illinois Legal Aid Online.


Here are 24 key members and their salaries:


Teresa Ross (Executive Di)
  • Compensation: $110,122
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $24,308
Gwendelyn Daniels (Deputy Direc)
  • Compensation: $115,370
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $11,820
Jessica Gavlin (Finance Dire)
  • Compensation: $35,128
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $8,779
Karim Basaria (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Craig Boston (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Amos Budde (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
David Ellis (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
David Hambourger (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kristina Hendricks (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Catherine Herrmann (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kenneth Jennings (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Elizabeth Khalil (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sean Kruskol (Vice Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Greg Leighton (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Bruce Lithgow (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Anand Mathew (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Renee Mcmahon (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Sandy Morris (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Chris Petrini-Poli (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Heather Russell (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tim Smith (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Barry Solomon (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Matthew Wirig (Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jennifer Woods (Board Member)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Illinois Legal Aid Online?

Illinois Legal Aid Online's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.illinoislegalaid.org

Learn more at the official website: www.illinoislegalaid.org

Mission Statement of Illinois Legal Aid Online

Illinois Legal Aid Online, or ILAO, strives to promote justice for all Illinois residents by educating them about their legal rights and connecting them to legal solutions and support. The organization's mission is particularly focused on individuals who have been marginalized by the legal system. ILAO employs innovation and allyship to make the law more actionable and accessible for these individuals. Their ultimate vision is a just society where everyone has equal access to opportunities. ILAO believes that with the right knowledge and guidance, people can effectively advocate for themselves. They provide users with plain-language, 24/7 tools in three languages, enabling families to comprehend and assert their legal rights. ILAO serves as a lifeline for individuals who cannot afford or find legal representation, thereby opening opportunities for justice. Since its inception in 2001, ILAO has leveraged technology and collaborations to reduce barriers to the legal system, enabling people facing obstacles to justice to understand their choices, make informed decisions, and represent themselves in court.

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Impact




October, 2024

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) significantly impacts the legal landscape in Illinois by providing crucial resources and support for individuals facing legal challenges. By offering 24/7 access to plain-language legal tools and guidance, ILAO ensures that people can educate themselves about their rights and navigate the legal system, especially during times when traditional legal offices are closed.

In FY22, ILAO served approximately 2.1 million Illinois residents—about 16% of the state’s population—providing assistance on over 600 legal issues. This includes helping individuals dealing with evictions, food insecurity, domestic abuse, divorce, child support, and more. The service is particularly vital for those in family law matters, where self-representation is common and access to legal aid lawyers is often limited.

The platform includes interactive apps like Easy Forms, which allow users to create personalized legal documents through a simple question-and-answer format. In FY22, over 77,000 clients utilized this feature to customize more than 33,000 legal documents, demonstrating the practical benefits of ILAO’s tools. Additionally, the Get Legal Help system matches applicants with appropriate legal resources, connecting over 10,000 individuals to free or low-cost legal providers.

Through innovation and a commitment to allyship, ILAO opens pathways to justice and empowers individuals to advocate for themselves with confidence. Its focus on delivering accessible legal information in multiple languages further enhances its reach and efficacy, promoting a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to assert their legal rights.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Illinois Legal Aid Online. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$2,162,489 (2022)
Expenses
$2,174,499 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $94
  • Program Service Revenue: $161,095
  • Gross Receipts: $2,229,570

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $1,337,041
  • Total Liabilities: $136,723
  • Net Assets: $1,200,318

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

CONTRACT SERVICE REVENUE

Revenue

$161,095

Organization Details

Founding Year

2005

Principal Officer

Teresa Ross

Main Address

120 S LASALLE ST SUITE 900, CHICAGO, IL, 60603

NTEE Category

Code: I80 - Crime

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