The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) has announced a request for proposals (RFPs) to support programs under the Legal Justice Fund (LJF) aimed at expanding legal assistance and education for justice-involved individuals in the city. The initiatives target community members seeking expungement and record sealing services, focusing on reducing barriers tied to criminal records.

The funding opportunity is divided into two components: Outreach and Education, and Legal Services. The Outreach and Education program seeks proposals to increase awareness of available resources, improve engagement, and connect residents to legal services with measurable outcomes. The Legal Services program prioritizes direct legal aid, including consultations and representation for qualifying cases.

Both programs are designed to address collateral consequences of criminal records affecting employment, housing, education, and more, by providing residents with better access to necessary legal support. The program period is slated to run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028, with the possibility of extensions depending on performance and funding.

DFSS has allocated approximately $400,000 in annual funding for Outreach and Education, with grants ranging from $100,000 to $400,000 per agency. The Legal Services component has a higher allocation of $600,000 annually, with individual awards between $200,000 and $600,000. Interested agencies may apply for one or both components.

Proposals must be submitted online by September 9, 2026, at noon Central Standard Time. To assist applicants, DFSS will host pre-proposal webinars for each program component on August 18, 2026. Detailed guidelines and submission instructions are available on the City of Chicago’s eProcurement platform.

This funding opportunity reflects the city’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the long-term impacts of criminal justice involvement by increasing access to legal resources for vulnerable populations in Chicago.