Please click here to view NSLAC's policy on Meeting with Clients and Visitors in the Office. Please contact us at (847) 737-4042 or info@nslegalaid.org before you come to the office in person.
The Highland Park- Highwood Legal Aid Clinic in partnership with Glenview Youth Services and Astellas will provide free legal services to help with the DACA renewal process.
Attorneys will be on site during the clinic at Glenview Youth Services (3080 West Lake Ave, Glenview, IL) on January 12 from 1pm-3pm. To reserve a spot please call Lia at the Highland Park Highwood Legal Aid Clinic (847-737-4042) by January 14.
Please help spread the word by downloading the PDF and printing our flyer regarding DACA Renewals (linked above), and then put it up at your place of work or on bulletin boards around your town. Feel free to also share on social media.
A Power of Attorney in Illinois gives another person (the “ agent”) an ability to make health care or financial/property decisions on your behalf if you (the “principal”) become incapacitated or unable to make decisions on your own.
Why are Power of Attorneys important?
POAs are an important part of an individual’s overall plan for their health and financial well being as it is too late to choose an agent once an individual becomes incapacitated and needs a POA. If you do not have a POA for health care, your family and your doctors will make health care decisions for you. The doctor must ask your family and friends about what to do, in the following order:
Guardian
Spouse
Adult children
Parent
Siblings
Grandchild
Close family friends
Guardian of the estate
You might disagree with the decision your family makes. Or, your family members may not agree on how to handle your medical care. A POA for health care give you control over how decisions are made for you. The agent you choose will carry out your wishes.
In the case of financial estate management, the absence of a POA can lead to time consuming and expensive remedies for family members if proper planning has not been completed. Generally, if a person has not assigned an agent to act on their behalf, control of financial management reverts to the state.
How long does getting a Power of Attorney take?
Typically, an hour meeting with an attorney is adequate time to execute the POA documents. The documents should be notarized and this is something HPHLAC can do at its offices.
How often does the Highland Park- Highwood Legal Aid Clinic have Power of Attorney clinics?
HPHLAC offers POA clinics about once a month at surrounding community senior centers or other interested locales. In the future, HPHLAC may be able to execute these documents in their office by appointment.
I want more information about attending a Health Care and/or a Financial Power of Attorney Clinic! Where do I go?
Please call the Highland Park- Highwood Legal Aid Clinic at (847) 737-4042 for more information!
For more information about when the next Power of Attorney Clinics at the Highland Park- Highwood Legal Aid Clinic are happening please call: (847) 737-4042
June is dedicated to sharing the stories of the immigrants that make America what it is today and supporting diversity in our nation. Every family has an immigration story, or knows someone who is an immigrant. We sure do!
To celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month here are some immigration stories from our clients and staff.
Lia, Director of Immigration
“My father was a college professor in South Korea. When we arrived to the U.S. back in 1985, my father got a job as a delivery man. When my dad realized his job couldn’t support his wife and three children, he went back to South Korea to continue teaching. My mom stayed behind to raise us, kids, while she worked 12 hour days at her own business. For almost 18 years my father sent back almost his entire salary to the states and only came to see us during his vacations. When I passed the bar and I called my dad in S. Korea, he cried and told me that I made his American dream come true, and all those years apart were worth it. That photo is of me and my dad- my Superman and the reason why I’m a lawyer today.”
Jose, Client
Jose came to City of Highland Park, Illinois – Government from Juárez, Mexico on a tourist visa in 2015 to visit his girlfriend. Once he arrived, he heard about the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic from friends at a local business. Staff and volunteer attorneys at the clinic provided him with trusted legal advice and guided Jose through the process of gaining residency. Jose loves his new life here in the U.S. and is hoping to bring his mother here in the near future.
Esteban, Accredited Representative
“Both my parents immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico nearly forty years ago. Each arrived with no more than a fourth-grade education because they came from very poor families that necessitated them giving up school to help raise their siblings. However, these unfortunate circumstances molded my parents into the hardest workers I have ever known and my constant inspiration. For decades, my father worked twelve-hour shifts as a cook in numerous restaurants and my mom worked multiple jobs at the same time, ranging from housekeeper to seamstress. These demanding work schedules provided for little family time, but I recognized it as a necessary sacrifice because of their dedication to my sister and me. Their extraordinary work ethic and perseverance have been my greatest motivating factor as I now pursue a law degree to help others like them.”
Gloriana Pacillo, Client
“I first came to the U.S. as a tourist in 1991 from Italy with my husband and three daughters to visit family in Highwood. We were only supposed to stay for a few months, but my family and I decided to stay because even though we knew living here undocumented would be difficult, life back home was very harsh. It was very hard living here without any kind of papers and having to work many jobs for little money, but I just wanted to provide my children with a better future. Twenty-four years later and after many consultations with attorneys that gave me no hope of getting a green card I came across the information for the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic in a newspaper. They were able to help me for free and around my birthday in December of 2015, I was approved for my green card. It was the best birthday present I have ever gotten and the first thing I did was visit my mother back in Italy after so many years of not seeing her.”
The political climate towards immigration has been volatile. Our staff and volunteer attorneys have responded quickly to changes in policy and law. We could not do it without your support. Thanks for all that you do!
Ross’s partners with the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic to fight domestic violence
Too many community members know someone who is a victim of domestic abuse, but they are not aware of the signs, services available or how to help. The Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic is proud to partner with respected organizations to increase the safety and provide help to those in need. Visit www.hphlegalaid.org or call at 847-737-4042 to learn more.
Mention this promotion and purchase any product during the month of October and a donation will be made to the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic to help provide services to those in need.
Non-physical domestic violence is every bit as significant as physical abuse and almost always precedes it. According to the Center for Disease Control, one in four women and one in seven men will be a victim of domestic abuse at some point during their lifetime. Together we will raise awareness about what domestic violence looks like, the availability of services and the very real costs to families and communities.
Starting immediately (September, 2017), The Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic is providing free legal assistance to any and all individuals who need assistance renewing their DACA application, regardless of where they live or work.
To be eligible for renewal, current DACA must be expiring between September 5, 2017 – March 5, 2018. There are no exceptions to the deadline. It is imperative to renew if an individual applicant’s DACA expiration falls within these dates.
Please help spread the word by downloading the PDF and printing our flyer regarding DACA Renewals (which is pictured here), and then put it up at your place of work or on bulletin boards around your town. You can also download the JPEG to share on social media.
Lo que necesita saber sobre DACA/la renovación de DACA
Solicitududes de DACA iniciales o renovadas que fueron sometidas antes del anuncio del 5 de septiembre continuarán siendo revisadas.
Portadores de DACA cual se vence entre ahora y el 5 de marzo de 2018, son elegibles para la renovación pero la renovación debe ser aceptada por USCIS antes del 5 de octubre de 2017. Recomendamos mandar su solicitud no más tardar el 1 de octubre de 2017.
Es muy importante que hable con un abogado de inmigración para determinar si es elegible para obtener beneficios de inmigración más permanentes bajo nuestras leyes vigentes. Para solicitar una consulta legal, por favor llamar al 847-926-1867 o por correo electrónico info@hphlegalaid.org
Documento de autorización de empleo (EADs): Las que fueron emitidas anteriormente, no serán revocadas durante el periodo de validez.
Libertad condicional anticipada (viajando fuera de los Estados Unidos): DHS no aceptará solicitudes nuevas para una libertad condicional anticipada.
Si es portador de DACA, por favor asegurarse de obtener un número de seguro social o una licencia antes de que su DACA expire.
Nuestra misión
La mision de la Clínica legal de Highland Park-Highwood es proporcionar servicios legales pro bono a personas de bajos recursos* quienes viven o trabajan en Highland Park y Highwood en las áreas de inmigración, vivienda y abuso domestico.
* No hay requisistos de ingresos para victimas de abuso domestico.
Below is a Community Advisory put together by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center regarding information about what to do now that DACA has been rescinded. Most importantly, please consult with a lawyer if you have any questions and please beware of scams.
The mission of the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic is to provide essential legal services to all residents of Highland Park and Highwood who otherwise cannot afford them.
A NOTE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Susan B. Shulman, J.D.
Executive Director
No Le Digas a Nadie – Don’t Tell Anyone
Last month’s “A Night at the Movies,” was a huge success!
Thank you to all our sponsors, and to those who came out in support of the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic. The very powerful and inspiring story of young Immigrant, Angy Rivera, and her journey to unbind herself from the fear and restraints her illegal status cast upon her is an empowering story of perseverance, fearlessness and determination which left many of our audience members gripped by emotion. Angy’s story reminds us of the importance our work at HPHLAC provides to the community. Thank you again to all for your support.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Health Care Foundation of Highland Park
A Night at the Movies:
Our Sponsors
COUNSELORS
Allstate Insurance Company
Baizer Kolar P.C.
Becker Gurian
Hal & Diane Gershowitz
Highland Park Community Foundation
Terry and Geoff Kass
Polsinelli P.C.
William and Sheila Wasserman
PARTNERS
Andy & Amy Bluhm
Andrew & Gail Brown
Congregation Solel
Richard Cortesi
DLA Piper
First Bank of Highland Park
Ron & Pam Futterman and Dan & Samantha Fisher
Foley & Lardner LLP
Holland & Knight
Hal & Nancy Krent
Meltzer, Purtill & Stelle LLC
Mayor Nancy Rotering
Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP
Alvin Shulman
Caryn and Gerold Skurnick
Andrew & Amy Small
U.S. Bank N.A.
SUPPORTERS
William and Susan Abrams
Galya Ben-Arieh and Jim Ruffer
Berger Schatz
Gould & Ratner LLP
Robert and Melanie Harris
Highland Park Bank & Trust
Jaqueline Hirsh
Israel Cancer Research Fund
JP Morgan
Kantor Apter & Esposito, Ltd.
Melissa Kerpel
Betsy & Scott Lassar
Lavin & Waldon, P.C.
Millennium Properties R/E
North Shore College Consulting
Daniel & Rhoda Pierce
Ross Highland Park
Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney
Shaw Legal Services, Ltd.
Sunset Foods
Barbara Weiner
Wiczer & Sheldon, LLC
IN KIND
Beelow’s
The Bent Fork
Avery Cohen
Design by Steve Haskin
Goodies
Highland Pop Gourmet Popcorn
Hon. Alyssa Knobel
Target
RAFFLE DONATIONS
Bluegrass Restaurant
Betsy Brint & Hon. Sally Higginson
Dunkin’ Donuts
Highland Park Bank & Trust
Larry Mason
Molly Maids
Once Upon a Bagel
Park District of Highland Park
Ravinia Festival
Real Urban Barbecue
Gabriel Viti
OUR INVALUABLE VOLUNTEERS
Karla Livney
Karla Livney grew up in Philadelphia. She attended the University of Vermont, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After leaving for college, her mom moved to Highland Park. Karla has always enjoyed critical thinking and analysis, never doubting that her career path would lead her towards something in the legal field. Karla chose The University of Illinois Law School to foster these dreams, eventually making Highland Park her permanent home.
Upon graduating from the University of Illinois, Magna Cum Laude, Karla began practicing law with McDermott, Will and Emery, then moved to Goldberg Kohn, working with clients in the areas of commercial and employment litigation. She was also a Board member of the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation. This led her to become involved with the Chicago Charter School Foundation, one of the first charter schools in Chicago. This work ultimately inspired her to leave private practice and become the Executive Director of that organization. After taking time off to raise her family, Karla became an active volunteer at Pro Bono Network, an organization that partners with legal aid agencies offering legal services to those in need.
Karla came to the Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic several weeks ago after concluding a four year term as a District 112 Board Member. During her time as a board member, Karla met many people in the community and became acutely aware of the community’s need for legal services.
Karla’s work in public law has always been her passion, and working in private commercial practice was the path Karla chose. However, for a variety of reasons, Karla recently decided to make a change and use her skills towards helping our most vulnerable community members enabling them to prosper in and around our community. It is Karla’s hope to, “Provide people with an opportunity to choose their own path when given the freedom to live their lives to their fullest potential.”
Karla’s understanding of the most recent changes in immigration law have confirmed the difficulty many undocumented immigrants face of being productive and contributing members of society. Karla’s hope is that the Clinic’s capacity to supply legal services as they are needed continues to grow in order to meet the demands of the community.
IN THE NEWS
On Tuesday May 16, 2017, at Highland Park High School (HPHS) the Clinic Student Board hosted the second Highland Park-Highwood Legal AId Clinic Naturalization Ceremony, where approximately 133 citizen candidates from around the world were sworn in as U.S. citizens . Carissa Coen, Chief of Staff, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the Oath of Allegiance.
The Clinic Student Board was founded by Clinic Board member Terry Horwitz Kass as an opportunity for high school students to gain hands on experience in providing advocacy for those in need while learning about the legal profession.
Mayor Nancy Rotering, who founded the Clinic to provide access to justice for individuals who live or work in Highland Park and Highwood focusing on the areas of immigration, housing matters, and domestic abuse, was present. “We all share the desire to succeed. Together we create a stronger city, state and nation.” Said Rotering.
The inspiring words were echoed by HPHS’s principal,Tom Koulentes as he pointed to the inscribed words on the auditorium’s wall, “Dream…Believe…Achieve,” explaining that this idea is very poignant, and not only applies to the students attending HPHS, but to all who walk among us. Principal Koulentes went on to say, “Those seeking citizenship in the United States are living proof that this idea is very much alive.”
Our client,
The League of Women Voters were there to register newly Naturalized CItizens.
Highland Park Stands With Its Immigrant Community
On February 27, 2017, the City Council adopted a Resolution endorsing the Lake County Welcoming and Inclusive Community Pledge. The City of Highland Park is committed to being an inclusive community by serving all residents and families regardless of their background, and encourages the community to join in signing the pledge which can be found by clicking the link below.
On Tuesday March 21, 2017 the District 112 Board of Education approved a resolution declaring that North Shore School District 112 is a Safe Haven School District. Among other things, this declaration states that all D112 schools are to be safe havens for students and families threatened by immigration enforcement or discrimination, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
There are several ways one can volunteer at the Clinic.
We need help with immigration cases! Non-attorneys and attorneys wanting to help with immigration, including family based petitions, can take an on-line e-learning course for a discounted cost.To register follow this link: https://cliniclegal.org/coil-application-april-2017. Space is limited!
The Clinic is always looking for fluent Spanish speakers who can serve as interpreters and translators.
We always need attorneys able to take cases in our three practice areas: immigration, domestic violence and housing.
Non-attorneys can help by lending their technological skills.
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 21, 2017: HIGHWOOD EVENING GOURMET MARKET
This popular and fun party in the park provides great food, entertainment and shopping. HPHLAC will have a table JUNE 21. Stop by and see us!. The Market is held in EVERTS PARK from 4-7pm, located on Highwood Avenue just West of Green Bay Road.
To set up an appointment,
please call us at (847) 926-1867
or email us at info@hphlegalaid.org.
HPHLAC is a private, independent not for profit corporation that is supported by, but not affiliated with, the cities of Highland Park and Highwood. When it seeks to enforce building code violations against landlords, it is doing so on behalf of its clients, and not on behalf of the cities in which they reside.
The Clinic got an early start on Domestic Violence Awareness Month last night, September 20th, picture-of-panel by co-hosting a community discussion, “No More Domestic Violence: Know More.” last night.
The discussion with Highland Park Police Chief Paul Shafer and representatives from SHALVA, A Safe Place and a family law attorney, Nancy Chausow Shafer provided the opportunity to ask questions about domestic abuse in a safe environment, learn the signs and how to help friends, neighbors and family in need.
Non-physical domestic violence is every bit as significant as physical abuse and almost always precedes it. According to the Center for Disease Control, one in four women and one in seven men will be a victim of domestic abuse at some point during their lifetime.
Together we will raise awareness about what domestic violence looks like, the availability of services and the very real costs to families and communities.
The event was a partnership between A Safe Place, the City of Highland Park, The Highland Park-Highwood Legal Aid Clinic, Park District of Highland Park and SHALVA. It was an honor to be included with these committee with these incredible organizations.
To learn more about the panel last night or reach any of the participating organizations please contact the Highland Park/Highwood Legal Aid Clinic at info@nslegalaid.org.
The Clinic will be open on Saturday, November 11, 2017, from 9 am to 12 pm. We will have attorneys available to help with immigration issues, Emergency Tool Kits, and landlord/tenant and housing problems.
We ask that any cases involving domestic violence to call to make an appointment on another day so we can assure privacy.
Clients must meet certain financial need requirements. Please call to make an appointment at (847)-926-1867 or e-mail info@hphlegalaid.org.
