The Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL) provides free legal services to low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County. CDEL focuses its efforts on matters related to financial stability, including consumer debt and disputes; housing on behalf of landlords and tenants; estate planning, including end-of-life planning; and other issues, including divorce and adult guardianship. The CDEL team works with lawyers and law firms across the county to provide free legal services, pro bono guidance, and representation.
CDEL and CMSS
CDEL reaches older adults across Cook County by partnering with non-profit organizations in high-need areas. Currently, CDEL offers monthly neighborhood legal clinics at 11 locations throughout Cook County – six in the city and five in the suburbs. CMSS is proud to partner with CDEL at our West Suburban Senior Center in Bellwood, acting as one of the five suburban legal clinic locations. These monthly legal clinics create an opportunity for eligible seniors to meet with CDEL representatives to assist in evaluating a legal issue and direct legal services. Clinics can be utilized for various needs, including drafting Powers of Attorney documents and executing estate planning documents. If you are interested in making an appointment at the West Suburban legal clinic or a clinic elsewhere in Cook County, call CDEL between 9 AM and noon, Monday through Friday, at 312-376-1880.
CDEL Through the Years
CDEL’s roots date back to 1982 when the Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association identified a need for pro bono services for people with disabilities. In 1984, the first iteration of the organization – the Legal Clinic for the Disabled – opened its doors. The organization changed its name to the Center for Disability & Elder Law in 1997.
Over its forty years as an organization, CDEL has continued to grow as funding has increased and allowed for expansion. As needs and opportunities change, CDEL adjusts to serve clients. For example, in 2021, Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) launched its Early Resolution Program. This program connects people with collections and eviction complaints with legal expertise. CDEL was selected as a program partner to provide attorneys to self-represented individuals facing eviction or consumer debt court. More information on the Early Resolution program is available here.
For more detail on CDEL’s history, click here.
Do I need CDEL services? How can they help me?
CDEL works to empower seniors and people with disabilities as they understand and manage legal issues. The team is dedicated to kindness and approachability, knowing that legal issues and topics can be intimidating and confusing. Depending on the type and scope of a legal matter, CDEL may offer support over one phone call or multiple in-person meetings. Their current community programs include:
Power of Attorney Workshops – Do you have a durable Power of Attorney document in place? These documents can help you avoid abuse and financial exploitation and can be an aid for your next of kin should you become incapacitated. Whether you are ready to start creating a POA document or just want to learn more about what POAs are and why you might want one, these workshops can be a great starting point. Learn more here.
Neighborhood Legal Clinics – These monthly clinics (weekly in Austin and Auburn Gresham in Chicago) are held in 11 locations throughout Cook County, offering free legal services –including drafting POAs, executing estate documents, and more. Learn more here.
Housing Preservation Project – This program offers legal assistance related to homeownership. Whether it is a title correction, property tax issue, foreclosure, or building code defense, or simply managing succession planning for the property, CDEL’s HPP provides presentations and workshops across Cook County to assist. Learn more here.
Proud to Thrive – CDEL offers culturally responsive resources and services to LGBT+ Adults. Proud to Thrive workshops and legal clinics provide the same services as the other neighborhood legal clinics in LGBT+ -affirming locations. Learn more here.
Mobile Young Adult Guardianship Project – This program helps families with children who live with a permanent disability and are transitioning to adulthood on their 18th birthdays. CDEL assists with guardianship paperwork and filing. Learn more here.
If you have a legal question but aren’t sure CDEL can help, contact them. Even if CDEL cannot advise on your issue, they may be able to point you to someone who can!
