I have been dealing with Prairie State on an eviction case. The person I talked to said she was an attorney on one call and told me she was an intake person on another. She was extremely rude and non sympathetic each time I spoke to her. I also received the incorrect Legal advice from her, so I was blinded-sided when I actually went into court to represent myself. They told me I made too much money for a lawyer from them. I literally make 1415.00/ mo which is BELOW poverty level. When I told this unnamed woman I was a student going back to school, she said let's hope it's not for Economics...it was very hurtful. As you can imagine I asked to be switched to a different attorney/intake person and she hung up on me. Before she hung up she told me her supervisor is Melissa Fuechtmann. She would not give me her name or a number to call. Very strange and misleading. Hours wasted.
It’s unfortunate that Prairie State Legal Group continues to obtain grant funding with the mission of supposedly helping those in need. My experience with the Branch Manager and an attorney in the West Chicago location was uncaring and unprofessional. The Branch Manager can try to legally spin it anyway she likes, but Prairie State Legal group has a monopoly on helping those in need in the counties of Chicago. If you are a spouse, who also needs low-cost legal aid, Prairie State cannot help you in most cases for life. And there is no other agency in the colllar counties. that a spouse can turn to for low cost legal assistance. Your first clue clue about how false their mission statement is, should be apparent the moment you sign onto their webpage. Donate.! Give us a gift! Give us money! ! Once you clear through all those pop ups can you start to find some information about what they claim their mission statement actually is. (Now that I think of it., their business model appears from the outside to be similar to that of a Mega Church ) I am sure there are some good and caring lawyers within the system, but maybe it’s time for a deep dive audit to see if they are truly helping those most in need. At minimum., there should be a secondary law group who can obtain some of the grants to help the spouses and others, who may need low cost legal assistance.
Atty. Lisa and Paul M. Loss Dunham, legal help for Homeowners Program of PSLS, did an excellent job in assisting me in the completion & submission of my Answer to the Foreclosure Summon I received from the lawyer of my Mortgagor. They helped me understand clearly the legal terms in the Foreclosure Summon. They are very professional and compassionate, as well. Their very friendly personality helps alleviate the fears & worries I had when I received the Summon from the Law office. I'm so grateful to Paul and Atty. Lisa for all their help, guidance and assistance. I definitely will reach out to PSLS in the future if I have any legal related matters.
I wish them all the best! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
Annie Mendiola
Well 2 years in Peoria my overall experience with this Prairie state not good. I called several times same issues took attorney in Waukegan that new me by this time Landlords and Peoria Housing Authority have raped me financially I want to speak to Michael executive director!!!
Prairie State Legal Services in Kane County DESTROYED MY LIFE. They helped my wife falsify an Emergency Order of Protection and had me removed from the house which I was the sole financial provider of. They were also able to allow my wife to never let me see my little girl, even on her 2nd birthday. Although they may have done some great things for people, in my case, they made a horrible decision and ruined my life, as well as allowed someone who is mentally frustrated, on Adderall, and smokes weed, to care for my 2 year old little girl. She is not given water to drink, a television is on in the house 24hrs a day, and she is given sugary snacks in place of real fruits and vegetables; at least that was the case when I called the police on her. Her "retaliation" was to get a lawyer to help her falsify an EOP. Great job. You can see my entire story on YouTube at: The Human Experience Connected to -The Whole-
I am a disabled Illinois resident, over the age of 65. Prairie State has refused to represent me me in a very illegal foreclosure case. I am not sure if they represent anyone any more. I believe they should down grade their website from the list of legal issues to if I can get off my rear, well, I will not help you. Excuse me while I make another pot of coffee. Worthless and should be disbanded.
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. has been investigate me for 2 years, cause unknown to me they refused to answer. They are wasting the money donated to them, on allegations told to them, this organization has volunteers wasting their time. Now how is this legal group helpful in any way, wasting donated money.
I was forced to rate this, one star is too high.
They don't really help. Just a front for fat cat lawyers to suckup grant dollars $8,000,000.00 and pretend to help poor people! Useless.
In Aurora, a Prairie State Legal attorney (Kathy Bettcher) has been in collusion with one of America's worst slumlords, the Aurora Housing Authority (AHA), to help a development scheme.
AHA has been forcing people to live in substandard housing for years and exploited the poor, needy and taxpayers. Instead of helping those victimized by AHA, Prairie State Legal has been colluding with them.
Michael O'Connor, the executive director, has hidden from any response or responsibility for these issues.
So, we have no other choice but to conclude that Prairie State Legal does not deserve it's IRS exemption or donors. There is a great need for legal services for the poor and needy, but pouring funds into Prairie State Legal is fueling an enemy of the public.
We urge anyone to NOT donate to Prairie State Legal, but we do urge the legal system as a whole to address the incredible costs and unaffordability of legal services.
Review from CharityNavigator
I am an advocate through a private social work agency, FamilyCore, for single parents in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. Often my clients are in need of legal representation due to divorce and custody issues, appeals for Social Security Disability or pending evictions. Most of those who utilize the single parent program are low income and cannot afford an attorney. Many have mental health issues and few have a stable support system. Prairie State Legal Services has provided expert legal aid to so many needy families who would not have received justice without their representation. I have been in court and watched as PSLS attorneys fought for the rights of parents seeking to keep their children safe from abusive paramours. I have seen the disabled gain Social Security benefits because the attorney fought for their rights under the law. Parents who would have been homeless were allowed to remain in their apartments because an attorney from Prairie State knew the statues and presented a powerful argument to the judge. These individuals could not have navigated the legal system without the advocacy of an attorney from PSLS. Our community is in their debt, for they provide justice to the needy and without justice for the needy, what kind of society would we become?
Prairie State is an excellent legal services organization that is an invaluable part of many communities in Central Illinois. Without Prairie State, untold numbers of low-income people in Illinois would be unable to access critical legal services. Prairie State accomplishes a lot with very limited resources. Denise Conklin (and Lisa Wilson before her) and Sandy Crow and all of the staff at Prairie State in Peoria accomplish a tremendous amount of good. I have been involved in numerous initiatives with Prairie State over the last 5 years and can attest to the quality and value of their contributions. As a volunteer lawyer on pro bono cases for individuals, I can also say that Prairie State makes the volunteer experience so much easier than it would otherwise be.
Prairie State is the most significant legal aid providing organization in the Peoria area. The agency assesses the community need, and flexes to that need. More importantly, legal services are provided in a professional and compassionate way. Prairie State also works hard to remain creative in its provision of services, partnering with other community law firms, bar associations and companies to broaden the scope of services it can provide. They are active in helping community attorneys train or otherwise become familiar with the legal areas most applicable to their clients, further increasing the number of legal professionals who can assist. It is a pleasure to work with such a fine organization, with such a compelling missino.
Prairie State Legal Services is one of the most effective, efficient and well-managed non-profit organizations in Central Illinois. They help provide legal assistance to many who cannot afford to help themselves. Time is the most valuable, non-renewable resource we own and I am proud to volunteer my time for this organization. By providing free legal services, they make a material difference in many people's lives everyday. I hope you consider donating your time or your money to this outstanding organization.
Our Lawfirm has provided pro bono services for Prairie State Legal Services for several years. The lawyers and staff that work for this organization are to be commended for thier tireless hours in providing a much needed service to those that cannot afford legal assistance. Lisa Wilson, the former managing attorney and now Associate Judge, and her predecessor, Denise Conklin, have the compassion and dedication that is needed to handle the sensitive needs and of their clients. Sandra Crow, the office coordinater, has the determination, organization and heart that keeps the wheels of this organization turning. The people who work for and administer this organization are great examples of for us all. Good job Prairie State ! The Law Office of Kirk Bode