New community office will bring holistic legal defense and support services to Chicago’s South Side.
CHICAGO—Today, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle joined Cook County Public Defender Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr., community members, elected officials, and partner organizations to officially open the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland (FDCR)—a first-of-its-kind community-based law office dedicated to providing holistic legal defense and wraparound services for residents of the South Side.
Located at 11437 S. Michigan Avenue in the heart of Roseland, the Center is part of the Public Defender’s broader effort to bring equitable, accessible defense services directly into communities most impacted by the criminal legal system.
“The center was created not just for our clients – but with our community,” said Cook County Public Defender Sharone R. Mitchell, Jr. “The Freedom Defense Center of Roseland represents our belief that real justice goes beyond the courtroom. It’s about relationships, trust, healing, and standing with our communities and the people we serve in the fight against systemic harm. The Roseland Center is what it looks like to build something transformational together.”
Staffed by a dedicated team that includes an Assistant Public Defender, a Trauma Recovery Specialist, a Client Advocate, a Defense Center Coordinator, an Arts Program Coordinator, and a Community Navigator, the Center will provide wraparound services in partnership with local service providers. The goal is not only to defend clients in court but to address the root causes of harm—like housing instability, trauma, and unemployment, through a model of collaborative defense. The FDCR model aligns with national efforts to reimagine public defense as not only legal, but community-centered and healing-driven.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle applauded the vision behind the center, stating: “For too long, we have expected our most marginalized communities to navigate an unforgiving legal system with limited resources. The Freedom Defense Center of Roseland is a bold step forward—grounded in equity, driven by partnership, and committed to community care. I am proud of the Public Defender’s Office for their leadership in making this vision a reality.”
Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony is part of the Center’s Open House week. Yesterday, Public Defender Mitchell and FDCR staff hosted a special preview of the completed space for Cook County Commissioners and other elected officials, followed by community stakeholder tours. The rest of Open House week will include gatherings for community members, faith and business partners who were instrumental in bringing the Center to life. The weeklong celebration offers opportunities to not only formally open the space but, more importantly, thank those whose advocacy, vision, and collaboration made the project possible.
The project was made possible through strong collaboration across county agencies and community stakeholders. Special thanks are extended to Elizabeth Strand and James Essex of the Cook County Department of Real Estate Management and Bradley DeRoo of the Department of Capital Planning and Policy, whose assistance was critical in acquiring and preparing the space.
"Today's ribbon cutting is years in the making, and I want to thank those from the Public Defender's Office who helped carry this vision forward every step of the way," Public Defender Mitchell acknowledged. " Rodney K. Carr, Angela Kilpatrick, Emmanuel Andre, Alexandria Santistevan, and Maria Munoz, - without their leadership, persistence, and deep belief in our mission and in community-based defense, this Center would not have been possible."
The Public Defender’s Office also acknowledges the enduring support of the President’s Office, including the Bureau of Finance, Asset Management, and the Justice Advisory Council; the members of the Freedom Defense Planning Circle, who shaped the mission and design of the Center; and the many County and community partners who helped bring this vision to life, including:
- Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law’s Children and Family Justice Center at the Bluhm Legal Clinic
- University of Chicago’s Civil Rights and Police Accountability Project at the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic
- St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church
- Ms. Judy Ware, Reverend Elena Calloway, and Minister Eddie Davis, the building owner, have been steadfast supporters of the Center’s goals.
In collaboration with community partners, the FDCR will connect clients with:
- Expungement Assistance
- Legal resources and representation
- Community legal education
- Trauma/mental health support
- Pretrial resources
- Arts programming
The Roseland Freedom Defense Center is the first planned community-based law office that will serve as a trusted neighborhood anchor for holistic defense, community education, and pathways to justice. Starting Monday, May 15, the Center will be open weekdays by appointment only. For more information about the Freedom Defense Center of Roseland and to make an appointment, click here.
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