HB3111 Summary: Access to Justice Act

• Creates the Access to Justice Fund as a special state fund to be financed by a $10 civil court filing fee and used by the Illinois Supreme Court to administer pilot legal assistance programs.

• Directs the Supreme Court to develop two pilot programs: a statewide military personnel and veterans' legal assistance hotline with coordinated resources, and court-based legal assistance in one circuit court per appellate district.

• Requires pilot programs to provide intake screening, varying levels of legal assistance, and safeguards against involuntary rights waivers, with the Supreme Court to report findings to the General Assembly by June 1, 2017.

• Establishes a 15-member Statutory Court Fee Task Force to review statutory fees imposed on criminal defendants and civil litigants, with a report due by June 1, 2014.

• Expands county law library services to include self-help centers and legal assistance programs, and allows court-sponsored pro bono programs to waive filing fees and costs for indigent clients represented by participating attorneys.