The Kane County Law Library provides new services during the pandemic

Even if you're going to Kane County Court alone, you don't have to feel alone by using these new resources

As the 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Clint Hull extended his general order on using remote court services for most Kane County Courts until February 28, 2021, the Kane County Law Library and Self Help Legal Center wants court-goers to know they are not alone in the process. Law Library Director Halle Cox says, "We have added LIVE virtual services to help meet the need of those representing themselves during the pandemic, hoping to fill the gap of temporary closures of some of the most popular legal aid programs people were able to turn to in the past, before COVID-19."

Cox hopes the new LIVE Chat with a Librarian feature added to the Law Library's website at kclawlibrary.org, will help get self-represented litigants to remote Court quickly. With courtrooms moving to remote access, for Judges to hear their court cases, court-goers have to be able to download the free Zoom app and find their virtual court room. Librarians are on hand during business hours to help with this process, to get people where they need to be, and offer resource help such as finding forms, efiling, and how to find an attorney. If people are not comfortable using the Chat feature, they can use the Chat box to email their question to the Law Library or they can call the Law Library at 630-406-7126 to speak to a Librarian during business hours.

Another new resource offered by the Kane County Law Library is a call-in/email service using their IL JusticeCorps volunteer, Sarah, to help court-goers who are:

  • Attending a court hearing from home using Zoom
  • Verifying a next court date, time, and judge
  • Locating and e-filing legal forms
  • Need a referral to local legal aid agencies and programs​

You can contact Sarah* by phone or email through February 28 by:

Phone: 630-358-9076 | M-F 8:30am-12:00pm

Email: skain@iljusticecorps.org | M-F 8:30am-4:30pm

*Sarah is not an attorney, and is not able to give legal advice

Cox would also like to remind people who are involved in a family case about the Law Library's Divorce and Family Law Help Call-in Service which has continued to gain popularity throughout the pandemic. Cox said, "This free weekly Thursday program has helped so many self-represented litigants navigate family law problems including divorce, child support, custody, and parenting time." Attorneys from the Kane County Bar Association generously volunteer their time to answer questions by phone in an attempt to offer contactless service during the pandemic. This free service is very busy and it may take more than one phone call to reach an attorney. It is available every Thursday from 11 a.m.-noon by calling 630-406-7126.

Cox says she hopes people find that, "Even if you're going to Kane County Court alone, you don't have to feel alone by using these new resources."

The Kane County Law Library and Self Help Legal Center is physically closed until February 28, 2021, but remains open remotely:

Website/Chat: https://www.kclawlibrary.org

Phone: 630-406-7126

Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Weds 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

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