Out of the courthouse and into the community
The Freedom Defense Centers provide comprehensive and accessible legal defense, social services, and education through community collaboration. We are a local public defense team working with families and organizations to provide more informed and powerful courtroom advocacy. We fight for justice in collaboration with residents.
Family Defense Office Hours
Thursday, April 30*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
(Located inside the Aspire Center)
Need help dealing with DCFS? Join our community office hours to learn about your parental rights and steps to reunify families. Connect with a Public Defender in a safe and welcoming space. Walk-ins are welcome; advanced registration is not required. To register, click here.
To join the Zoom, click here. (Zoom meeting ID: 898 1449 6627, Passcode: 590501)
*This is a recurring event, held the last Thursday of every month.
Support Group for Mothers
Thursday, April 30*
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Join this safe and supportive space for mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. Please RSVP here.
*This is a recurring event.
Law Day / May Day Community Resource Fair
Friday, May 1
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL
Join us at the Freedom Defense Center of Austin for a resource fair on National Law Day. Together with partner organizations. We will provide free legal resources and services. Please RSVP by emailing fdca@cookountyil.gov or by calling 312-738-7399.
Family Defense Office Hours
Tuesday, May 5*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Need help dealing with DCFS? Join our community office hours to learn about your parental rights and steps to reunify families. Connect with a Public Defender in a safe and welcoming space. Walk-ins are welcome; advanced registration is not required. To register, click here.
To join the Zoom, click here. (Zoom meeting ID: 836 7816 0057, Passcode: 285786)
*This is a recurring event, held the first Tuesday of every month.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, May 6*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Have a question about a civil legal issue? Attorneys from The Village and Legal Community Project will be available to provide brief advice and counsel, limited representation, and full representation on the following civil legal issues: child support, sealing and expungement, Power of Attorney, parenting time, debt collection, landlord and tenant rights, and driver's license reinstatement. Walk-ins are welcome!
*This is a recurring event, held the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, May 20*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Have a question about a civil legal issue? Attorneys from The Village and Legal Community Project will be available to provide brief advice and counsel, limited representation, and full representation on the following civil legal issues: child support, sealing and expungement, Power of Attorney, parenting time, debt collection, landlord and tenant rights, and driver's license reinstatement. Walk-ins are welcome!
*This is a recurring event, held the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Mission: The Freedom Defense Centers provide comprehensive and accessible legal defense, social services, and education through community collaboration.
Vision: The Freedom Defense Centers foster accountability and trust between the Public Defender’s Office and the communities they serve. The Freedom Defense Centers are rooted in partnership, standing with the community to reduce the impact of the carceral system and fight for justice. They work to change the narrative around harm and safety by honoring community members’ experiences and prioritizing their autonomy.
Values: The Freedom Defense Centers provide services aligned with our values:
- Collaboration: Working alongside the community, we develop deeper relationships with clients and expand their access to critical local services.
- Transparency: Robust, consistent, and honest communication with clients and community is the foundation for accountability, inspiring trust in representation.
- Courage: The wisdom of our ancestors guides us as we work courageously to innovate on the services, we offer clients and community, stand steadfast against the harms of the carceral system, and fight for justice and equity.
The Freedom Defense Centers came together through a process of community-centered planning. The Public Defender’s Office, community members, and partners formed two planning circles to develop the mission, location, and direction of the centers. Our planning process included an Outside Planning Circle, made up of community members in the neighborhoods where the defense centers are located – Austin and Roseland. The Inside Planning Circle was made up of people incarcerated at the Cook County jail. Together we have brought the vision for these defense centers to life. The process was inclusive, intentional, and collaborative. We are extremely grateful to everyone who joined us in this effort.
Visits to the Freedom Defense Centers are by appointment only. You can request additional information through this form or by calling us or emailing us.
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm
Call (312) 738-7374
Email FDCR@cookcountyil.gov.
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation
5500 W Madison, Chicago, IL
Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm
Call 312-738-7399
Email fdca@cookcountyil.gov.
Follow the Public Defender’s Office on Instagram and Facebook to hear about upcoming events