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.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, August 5
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.
Support Group for Women
Thursday, August 6
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Resume Writing & Headshot Day
Friday, August 7
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Join us in partnership with R2C2, for free professional headshots and resume support. Bring your current resume for review and feedback. If you don't have a resume, bring a list of your work experience and one of our coaches will help you to prepare a resume. If your closet needs a reset or you're not sure what to wear, we might be able to help! Mention it when you RSVP and we will follow up with more information.
RSVP by phone at 312-738-7374 or by emailing fdcr@cookcountyil.gov.
Support Group for Men
Friday, August 7
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Women
Monday, August 10
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Men
Tuesday, August 11
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Women
Thursday, August 13
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Men
Friday, August 14
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Women
Monday, August 17
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Men
Tuesday, August 18
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, August 19*
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.
Support Group for Women
Thursday, August 20
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Rap Sheet Day
Friday, August 21
10:45 AM Pick Up, 11:00 AM Departure
12:00 PM Event
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Take the first step towards clearing your record and join us, in partnership with R2C2 for a Rap Sheet Day. We will provide transportation from the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland to 35th and Michigan. Please arrive by 10:45 AM for a 11:00 AM departure. Bring a valid driver's license or state ID. Please RSVP by phone at 312-738-7374 or email to fdcr@cookcountyil.gov.
Support Group for Men
Friday, August 21
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Women
Monday, August 24
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Men
Tuesday, August 25
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W Madison St, Chicago, IL
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Family Defense Office Hours
Thursday, August 27*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
Need help navigating interactions 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 Women
Thursday, August 27
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join this safe and supportive space for women, including mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Men
Friday, August 28
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S Michigan Ave, Chicago
Join our support group for men to talk openly without fear of judgement. Learn form all perspectives and build meaningful connections. In this group you receive and offer support. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson, LCSW at 312-738-7378.
Roseland Peoples Market
Sunday, August 30
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Near the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11026 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
Join the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland with partners Contextos, Burst Into Books, SOUL (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation), and AMMP (A Midwest Movement Project), for a farmer's market that is more than just shopping. The Roseland Peoples Market is a space to gather, connect, and celebrate the far South Side. There will be live art, fames, food, and music. Come by to support local businesses, artists, and organizations, eat fresh, and grow community. No registration required.
Family Defense Office Hours
Tuesday, September 1*
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Need help navigating interactions 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.
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.