Category Archives: Front Page-Updates
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Adds Legal Staff
The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Housing Law Practice Attorney Kevin Sheehan and Immigration Law Practice Law Clerk Belany Contreras.
Kevin Sheehan is a staff attorney driven by community-based advocacy and seeking the best possible results for low-income clients with our housing law practice. He brings not-for-profit legal aid experience in community outreach and as a housing staff attorney. Kevin has also worked as legal counsel to the Illinois Senate President and has experience advising and crafting policies focusing on racial equity and justice. He is dedicated to helping others. He has provided pro bono services to Equip for Equality and has served on the American Cancer Society Associate Board of Ambassadors.
Kevin received his J.D. from the DePaul College of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Dayton.
Belany Contreras was born in Mexico and was one of the first in her family to come to the U.S. She has always been passionate about helping the community and individuals in need. Her own immigrant experience inspired her to study law to become an immigration lawyer. She has worked as an intern and volunteer at multiple non-profit organizations including the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic and Instituto del Progreso Latino. During law school, Belany worked as a student attorney at the Community Enterprise and Solidarity Economy Clinic. While working there, she worked with immigrant entrepreneurs.
Belany received her J.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law. She received her B.A. from Lake Forest College, where she majored in Latin American Studies and double-minored in Social Justice and Legal Studies.
“There continues to be an uptick in cases in our law practice areas. The addition of highly qualified attorneys and staff supports NSLAC’s mission of providing accessible, quality, free legal services in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration to give those in need of access to justice the opportunity to live productive and secure lives,” said Executive Director Susan Shulman. “Access to justice is a human right and these talented individuals deeply understand the work that we do to provide it.”
Volunteer Spotlight: Heidi Sachs
Heidi Sachs is an attorney with Sullivan Wolf Kailus LLC where she focuses on commercial contracts. Heidi lives in Highland Park with her husband Rick Maletsky and their three children. Heidi is on the board of several local organizations including JUF Women’s Philanthropy and the PTO of her daughter’s school.
Heidi understands first-hand the importance of providing high quality legal services to those in need. When Heidi was a junior associate at a large law firm in New York City, she had the opportunity to spend 6 months working for the East Harlem Legal Aid Society. Thus, when board member and friend Leslie Katz asked her to get involved with the Clinic, Heidi was excited. Heidi has been extremely impressed with the professionalism and dedication of everyone at the Clinic and greatly enjoys serving on its Advocacy Committee.
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Participates in Highland Park’s 13th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service
North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Participates in Highland Park’s 13th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service
The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic is pleased to join together with the community virtually on Monday, January 17 beginning at 10 AM for the 13th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service event hosted by the City of Highland Park’s Human Relations Advisory Group and the Park District of Highland Park.
Know Your Rights & How To Be An Ally
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a fierce advocate for justice that included everyone and addressed all forms of threats to human dignity. The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic is a beacon of hope for those in need of access to justice. We urge individuals and families to be prepared and Know Your Rights and the public is encouraged to be an ally to those in need. Helpful information for all is available below.
All Are Welcome Here
Acts of racism and injustice are all too familiar and unacceptable. The safety and wellbeing of our clients and the communities that we serve remain our priority. We believe that our community is enriched by people of different backgrounds and cultures, and we are committed to building a culture of cooperation among diverse groups.
Show that you care by downloading and coloring this flyer. Place it in a prominent location (we suggest a front door or window) for all to see. Show us your art on social media by tagging the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #AccessToJustice
Example:
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
The Clinic has partnered with Judy’s Pizza for the month of February. Special thanks to the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic Regional Student Leadership Board for leading these special events in partnership with Judy’s!
- Round Up in February! – Judy’s Pizza will be asking guests to “round up” on their purchases for the whole month of February for proceeds to benefit the Clinic.
- Dine and Donate on February 5th! – Judy’s Pizza will be donating 20% of sales made on Saturday, February 5th to the Clinic.
- Cooking Demo to Save Lives on February 10th! – Special cooking demonstration on February 10th at 11 am with guest chefs from Judy’s pizza. The Clinic hosts free virtual cooking demonstrations with professional chefs on the second Thursday of every month. The Clinic invites anyone with questions about domestic violence to ask those questions to Clinic attorneys anonymously in the chat. The cooking demonstrations include a live chat, via RingCentral. No domestic violence content will be shown on the video. Guests can log on anonymously using an alias throughout the hour. No registration is required. Join the event here: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1489481392.
We are so thankful for our friends over at Judy’s Pizza in Highland Park (https://www.judyspizza.com/). Please show your support to the Clinic by supporting Judy’s in February!
Teen dating violence is domestic violence. Teen dating violence is a pattern of behavior that includes physical, emotional, verbal, and/or sexual abuse by one person in an intimate relationship to exert power and control over another. Relationship violence can occur at school — in the hall, in the classroom, in the parking lot, on the bus or in a car, at after-school activities, at a student’s workplace, at a school dance, or at a student’s home. In teenage dating relationships, the abuse is often public with peers witnessing the abuse; however, the abuse can also occur in private.
It is fitting to think of February as a month of love, but what most may not realize is that it is also February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. It is important to educate teens about what is and is not a healthy relationship.
Some signs to watch for include:
- Intensity – a relationship that develops extremely fast
- Control or jealousy
- Changes in Dress
- Drastic behavior changes
- Isolation
- Constant communication with significant other
- Ramifications for not responding in a timely manner
Help to raise awareness about teen dating violence and stop the abuse before it begins. This month we come together to raise awareness through advocacy and education to stop abuse before it starts. Need to know how to talk to your teen? Got questions of your own? Be in touch with the Clinic at info@NSLegalAid.org or 847 737 4042. All inquiries are strictly confidential. Love shouldn’t hurt.
Volunteer Spotlight: Daniel Schack
Daniel Schack is the Vice President of Sales Operations for Rico Industries, a manufacturer of licensed wholesale gift and novelty promotional products, a Northfield Township Trustee, and he is Vice President of Am Yisrael Conservative Congregation. He lives in Northbrook with his wife Mara Silver-Schack, a District 28 school board member, and their three children.
In 2019 the Democrats of Northfield Township honored the Clinic at their fall fundraiser. Listening to the presentations, Daniel was inspired and wanted to learn more. As soon as the luncheon ended, he sought out Executive Director Susan Shulman and expressed his interest at furthering the Clinic’s mission through advocacy. The timing was perfect as the Clinic had just launched the Advocacy Committee with goals of monitoring and providing input into local and statewide legislation, policy and funding that enhance opportunities for those in need of access to justice in the areas of domestic violence, housing, and immigration in north suburban Cook County and throughout Lake County. Daniel took the lead from the moment he joined the committee. He says, “the Clinic’s mission really spoke to me, and I’ve been so impressed with the professionalism and dedication of everyone I’ve worked with at NSLAC and love to help any way I can.”
Daniel has furthered relationships and continues to develop new connections for the Clinic with policymakers and partners that work to improve the safety and livelihood of those we serve. The Clinic is so thankful for the commitment Daniel has made to all of us.
Free Legal Clinic for Older Adults on September 24, 2021 at the North Shore Senior Center
The Health Care Power of Attorney Document
Why Older Adults Need It
New Trier Township, the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, and the North Shore Senior Center are offering a free legal clinic for older adults on September 24, 2021, at the North Shore Senior Center, 161 Northfield Road in Northfield from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Volunteer attorneys will be on-site to assist participants with the preparation of a POA document and authenticate it with free notary public service.
Appointments are limited, please reserve your time via email info@NSLEGALAID.org or phone (847) 737-4042.
Eviction Prevention: Updates on the Moratorium, Eviction, and Rental Assistance Q&A – August 9 (Spanish) and August 11 (English)
Eviction Prevention: Updates on the Moratorium, Eviction, and Rental Assistance Q&A – August 9 (Spanish) and August 11 (English)
As the Eviction Moratorium comes to an end, the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic is encouraging rental tenants to know their rights. Governor Pritzker issued an executive order on July 23, 2021, that allows landlords to ask a court to evict both unprotected and protected tenants starting on August 1, 2021. Eviction orders will be allowed to be enforced after August 31, 2021.
The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic will be hosting presentations with Q&A regarding the Moratorium, the eviction process, and remaining rental assistance programs. Attorneys will be present to answer any legal questions.
We will host the sessions in Spanish and in English. We invite guests to join us via Ring Central.
- August 9, 2021, at 5 PM - Spanish - Guests can access the meeting by following this link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1491324169.
- August 11, 2021, at 5 PM - English - Guests can access the meeting by following this link: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1462736903.
Oportunidad especial - Prevención de desalojo: Actualizaciones sobre la moratoria, el desalojo y la asistencia para el alquiler Q&A - 9 de agosto a las 5 p.m.
A medida que finaliza la Moratoria de desalojo, se les recomienda a los inquilinos a informarse sobre cómo preparar y protegerse contra el desalojo. El gobernador Pritzker planea emitir una orden ejecutiva el 23 de julio que permitirá a los propietarios solicitar a un tribunal que desaloje tanto a los inquilinos desprotegidos como a los protegidos a partir del 1 de agosto. Después del 31 de agosto, se podrán hacerse cumplir las órdenes de desalojo.
La Clínica de Asistencia Legal North Suburban ofrecerá una presentación y una sesión de preguntas y respuestas cubriendo temas como la Moratoria, el proceso de desalojo y los programas restantes de asistencia para el alquiler. Los invitamos unirse a nosotros a través de Ring Central el lunes 9 de agosto de 2021 a las 5 p.m. para obtener más información sobre estos temas. La abogada Crystal Ochoa estará presente para responder cualquier pregunta legal. Los invitados pueden acceder a la reunión siguiendo este enlace: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1462736903.
Durante esta presentación, cubriremos detalles sobre la eliminación gradual de la Moratoria de Desalojo, el proceso de desalojo y los programas de asistencia para el alquiler que aún están tomando aplicaciones. Únase a nosotros para una presentación y una sesión de preguntas y respuestas con una abogada acompañante.
Monthly Legal Aid Clinics Begin at New Trier Township
The North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (the Clinic) will offer monthly, free legal aid clinics to low-income individuals and families beginning July 21, 2021. Clinics are virtual but individuals have the option to access meetings on Township computers at New Trier Township Hall located at 739 Elm Street in Winnetka. Legal aid counselors will offer free, confidential services to clients in need of help with domestic violence, housing, and immigration matters from 10:00 a.m. until noon, the third Wednesday of each month. Appointments are required and can be made via SignUpGenius at www.NewTrierTownship.com or call the Township at (847) 446-8202 or the Clinic at (847) 737-4042.
“Recognizing the need to provide critical legal services where people live, we began a partnership with the Clinic in 2019 by offering immigration services and quickly expanded to offer domestic violence services. When the pandemic began, we immediately pivoted to virtual appointments to encourage legal professionals and those in need to make safety a priority by choosing to meet remotely whenever possible,” stated Township Supervisor Gail Eisenberg. “We know that accessible legal resources are the difference between surviving and thriving, especially as we emerge from the pandemic. We are pleased to bring back regularly scheduled clinics in a safe and accessible way while expanding them to include housing legal services, which is particularly important at a time when the eviction moratorium is expected to be phased out.”
“We are grateful to New Trier Township for their forward thinking, partnership, and deep understanding of the community that they serve. Working together, we can make equal justice under the law more than a lofty goal. We make it a reality,” stated Executive Director Susan Shulman.
For more information about New Trier Township visit www.NewTrierTownship.com.
New Trier Township’s mission is to provide leadership, advocacy and resources to benefit the physical, mental and social well being of Township residents. Established in 1850, New Trier Township government serves the 56,000 residents in the villages of Glencoe, Kenilworth, Wilmette and Winnetka, plus portions of Glenview and Northfield. The Township Office is located at 739 Elm Street in Winnetka or on-line at www.newtriertownship.com
