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.
Support Group for Mothers
Monday, June 22
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Mothers. We offer a safe and supportive space for mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Men Supporting Men
Tuesday, June 23
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Men. In our meetings you can talk openly without fear of judgement, learn from all perspectives, and build meaningful connections. In this community, you can offer support and be supported. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Family Defense Office Hours
Thursday, June 25*
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 Mothers
Thursday, June 25
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Mothers. We offer a safe and supportive space for mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Expungement Summit
Saturday, June 27
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Morning Session)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Afternoon Session)
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Join us at the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland for an Expungement Information & Assistance Summit. Two sessions are offered at 10 AM–12 PM and 1–3 PM.
Each session includes a presentation from CGLA on the expungement process, followed by on‑site individual consultation to begin the process for eligible participants. Pre‑registrants are encouraged to bring their rap sheets.
Community vendors and partners will also be present.
To register, click here.
Support Group for Mothers
Monday, June 29
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Mothers. We offer a safe and supportive space for mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Men Supporting Men
Tuesday, June 30
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Austin
5500 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Men. In our meetings you can talk openly without fear of judgement, learn from all perspectives, and build meaningful connections. In this community, you can offer support and be supported. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, July 1*
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.
Men Supporting Men
Wednesday, July 1
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Men. In our meetings you can talk openly without fear of judgement, learn from all perspectives, and build meaningful connections. In this community, you can offer support and be supported. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Mothers
Thursday, July 2
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Mothers. We offer a safe and supportive space for mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Family Defense Office Hours
Tuesday, July 7*
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.
Attorney Office Hours
Wednesday, July 15*
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.
Men Supporting Men
Wednesday, July 15
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Men. In our meetings you can talk openly without fear of judgement, learn from all perspectives, and build meaningful connections. In this community, you can offer support and be supported. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
Support Group for Mothers
Thursday, July 16
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Freedom Defense Center of Roseland
11437 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
Join our Support Group for Mothers. We offer a safe and supportive space for mothers and grandmothers of incarcerated loved ones. Come together to share experiences, gain strength, and find healing in community. There is no cost to attend but RSVPs are appreciated. RSVP here or by calling Eva Johnson at 312-738-7378.
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.
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