About
Created in 2012 by the Illinois Supreme Court to promote equal access to the civil court system for all.
Commissioners
Hon. Jorge L. Ortiz (Chair)
Circuit Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit
Carolyn H. Clift
Attorney at Law (Ret.)
Linda T. Coberly
Winston & Strawn LLP
Hon. Alison C. Conlon
Circuit Court, Circuit Court of Cook County
Hon. Thomas M. Harris, Jr.
Justice, Illinois Appellate Court, 4th District
Sally McDonald
Attorney at Law (Ret.)
Hon. Dominque Ross
Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Hon. Sanjay Tailor
Justice, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District
Wendy Vaughn
Clinical Professor, Northern Illinois University College of Law
Andrew M. Weaver
Deputy Director of Program Operations, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation
Tammy R. Weikert
Circuit Clerk of Rock Island County
Hon. David K. Overstreet Supreme Court Liaison
Justice, Illinois Supreme Court
The ATJ Commission is composed of 11 Commissioners who are appointed for three-year terms. The Supreme Court appoints seven members, while The Chicago Bar Foundation, Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois, Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, and Illinois Bar Foundation each name a Commissioner. Justice David K. Overstreet is the Supreme Court liaison to the ATJ Commission.
The ATJ Commission has established committees and subcommittees that are composed of volunteers from different parts of the state with expertise to help in its work. Committees include the Appellate Committee, Community Trust Committee, Court Guidance and Training Committee, Forms Committee (with many subcommittees), Language Access Committee, Remote Appearance Committee, Rules and Policy Review Committee, and Grant Programs Selection Committee.
The Access to Justice Division within the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts provides staff support to the ATJ Commission and integrates the ATJ Commission’s initiatives into the operations and systems of the judicial branch at a statewide level. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 10-100.
Strategic Plan
Reports
First Appellate District Pilot Project
Awards
The Jeffery D. Colman Access to Justice Award
Law Student Leaders Access to Justice Summit
Newsletters
April 2023 Newsletter
March 2021 Special ATJ Newsletter Honoring Justice Thomas L. Kilbride
Staff
Alison Spanner
Director
Jessica Acosta
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Noor Alawawda
Program Coordinator, Language Access
Janice Coleman
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Darli Cortez
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Helen Doig
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Tahmia Dugger
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Daisy Fermaint
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Rick Hamer
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Kathryn Hensley
Supervising Senior Program Manager
August Hieber
Senior Program Manager, Inclusive Access
Cali Morrissey
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Brent Page
Senior Program Manager
Avani Patel
Supervising Senior Program Manager, Illinois Court Help
Jill Roberts
Deputy Director
Brittany Rossi Underwood
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Sara Schlecht
Court Guide, Illinois Court Help
Lillie Schneyer
Program Coordinator, Forms
Sarah Song
Supervising Senior Program Manager
Marisa Wiesman
Deputy Director, Strategic Planning
Illinois Judicial Conference