SPRINGFIELD, IL – To help victims of the recent tornadoes cope with some of the legal issues they may face as a result of the storms, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) reminds Illinois citizens and lawyers that it offers a manual, “Disaster Legal Services Manual,” containing useful information and resources. It is available as a free download at the ISBA’s Illinoislawyerfinder.com website, http://www.illinoislawyerfinder.com/disastermanual.

The 81-page manual contains chapters on public benefits available to storm victims as well as housing issues, consumer protection issues, Social Security and banking matters, personal finance and bankruptcy, replacing lost documents, employer-employee issues, will and estates, and a list of resources. It also includes a disaster preparedness checklist and disaster assistance available to farm owners. The manual was developed by the ISBA Committee on Delivery of Legal Services.
 
Among resources for disaster victims are the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Legal Aid, Illinois State Police, International Red Cross, Salvation Army and numerous others.

The ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois Lawyers, and education and services to the public. Further information is available at www.isba.org.