SB3618 Summary: Access to Legal Services Act

• Establishes a right to legal services for income-eligible individuals facing removal proceedings in Illinois immigration courts or other covered venues, with income eligibility set at 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Creates the Governor's Office of New Americans as the implementing agency, with implementation deadline of January 1, 2021, responsible for designating legal services providers and monitoring service quality.

• Creates the Access to Legal Services Fund to be appropriated by the General Assembly and used to supplement (not replace) existing legal services funding from state, local, private, or federal sources.

• Establishes an Advisory Committee for Access to Legal Services with 10 members appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the House, President of the Senate, and the Office to develop policies, training, and procedures for the program.

• Requires annual reports beginning September 15, 2022 detailing eligibility criteria, case outcomes, number of individuals served and denied services, and qualitative reviews of legal services provided.