The Illinois Territory was carved out from the Indiana Territory in 1809, and became the Union’s 21st state on December 3, 1818. One of the state’s most famous residents, Abraham Lincoln move to Illinois in 1830. He is the inspiration for the state’s copyrighted slogan “The Land of Lincoln.”
The state’s largest city, Chicago, claimed an estimated 2,833,321 residents in 2006. That’s more than one-fifth of the state’s total population of about 12,910,400. The capital of Springfield, despite its much smaller population of about 116,500 inhabitants, is also one of the state’s larger cities.
Illinois Legal Resources
Illinois residents and legal professionals can use the following resources to find legal research tools and other services.
Illinois State Bar Association: The ISBA was founded in 1877 to provide Illinois lawyers with tools and services to help them improve their practices. In addition to member benefits, which include legal research tools; networking opportunities and inclusion in the state’s lawyer referral service, the Association provides legal information links and student education resources for the public.
Chicago Bar Association: The Chicago Bar association, one of the oldest in the US, mainly serves lawyers in Cook County, but also has a large out-of-state membership. It provides a wealth of resources for legal professionals and the public, including legal research, white papers and profiles of law firms in the Chicago area.
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois: The WBAI promotes the advancement of women in the legal profession and in the community. It provides a variety of networking and educational events to its members.
Illinois Courts: The website of the Illinois Courts provides general court information, as well as links to important forms, jury information, court opinions and more. There is also a citizen self-help section.
Resources for Legal Marketers in Illinois
Providing support for legal services firms requires a unique understanding of the business of law. The following resources provide tools and best practices to help.
Legal Marketing Association, Midwest Chapter: LMA Midwest was the first local LMA chapter. It offers its members a wealth of resources and opportunities, including a marketing program for law students, an alliance with The Chicago Bar Foundation and more.
Association of Legal Administrators, Greater Chicago Chapter: The ALA provides its members with tools and resources to improve management within the legal services firms they serve.
Legal Marketing Jobs: Find legal marketing jobs in Illinois
