In 1973, a private practice attorney, an idealistic church located within the community, and a generous publisher joined forces to respond to the critical legal needs of vulnerable individuals living in Chicago's Cabrini Green housing development. For 24 years, founder Chuck Hogren lived out the values that continue to set the direction of the work of Cabrini Green Legal Aid today: tireless advocacy, personal involvement in the lives of each client, humility and commitment to community.

As the neighborhood of Cabrini Green has changed, CGLA has expanded its reach to serve impoverished residents from all of Chicago's neighborhoods. We offer quality legal representation, at no cost, in areas deemed most critical to the lives of the poor: housing law, family law, criminal law, and expungement, sealing and clemency. Using an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to legal services, we serve clients in holistic ways in order to address the root causes that led to the legal problem in the first place. We also engage in frequent community education and outreach, hoping to prevent problems that might otherwise end up in court. Each year, hundreds of volunteers assist our professional staff in meeting the needs of over 4,000 vulnerable individuals and families each year.

Now in our thirty-fifth year, CGLA continues to answer God's call to seek justice and mercy by providing free legal services to the poorest of the poor. Through our website, you will discover how we give a voice to those who need it most. Thanks for taking the time to learn more about our work.

Click here to watch Roger's story.

Recent News, May 15, 2008
CGLA was awarded the prestigious Alford Axelson Award for Non-Profit Managerial Excellence at the Ninth Annual Non-Profit Symposium at North Park University on May 14, 2008. The award, sponsored by CHASE and ShoreBank, is awarded each year to two non-profit organizations (one small and one large) and includes a $5,000 unrestricted grant. CGLA was the winner in the small non-profit category. This year, a panel of evaluators reviewed a nominated pool of 16 organizations, considering each organization on the basis of mission and vision, organizational strategy, board and staff leadership, financial management, funding model, fundraising and external relations program, evaluation outcomes, sense of integrity, and sense of purpose and values within the organization and among key constituents. CGLA is honored to receive this award and be in the company of past winners, including The Night Ministry, Deborah's Place, and The Cara Program.

Recent News, April 10, 2008
Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn urges Governor Blagojevich to immediately act on the backlog of clemency petitions sitting on his desk. Click here to read the article, which discusses CGLA's work and the lawsuit in federal court filed by Morgan Lewis & Bockius on behalf of 12 CGLA clients.

Recent News, March 26, 2008
CGLA recently responded to an article in the Chicago Tribune about Governor Blagojevich and clemency petitions. Click here to read CGLA's response on the need for speedier decisions in clemency cases.