IL SB3500

Creates the Legal Deserts Act to establish a grant program through the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts for lawyers or law firms that relocate or open offices in underserved areas

Defines "legal desert" as a county with fewer than 100 lawyers or any geographic area identified by the Supreme Court as facing significant challenges in obtaining legal services

Grants may cover marketing expenses, attorney compensation for up to 2 attorneys per firm, and other eligible expenses determined by the Administrative Office

Addresses Illinois attorney distribution where 88% of lawyers practice in just 6 counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will), leaving 96 counties with only 12% of attorneys

Notes 61 Illinois counties have fewer than 20 private practice lawyers, 46 have fewer than 10, and 4 counties have only one lawyer in private practice, with over half of rural attorneys aged 60 or older