Find a Language Interpreter/Language Access Program | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts Ensuring equal access to the courts for individuals with language limitations is an important issue, especially in Illinois, which has a significant and growing number of people with Limited English Proficiency all across the state. As such, there is great need to promulgate statewide standards to promote language access for Limited English Proficient individuals, provide guidance to the judiciary and interpreters as to the role of interpreters, and require interpreters to have minimum levels of proficiency and skills. To reach these goals, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts' (AOIC) Access to Justice Division has taken on a number of initiatives to assist the trial courts and ensure that Limited English Proficient individuals have equal access to Illinois courts. To learn more, please see the content below. AOIC Language Access Registry The AOIC maintains a Court Interpreter Registry (Registry) that lists certified and registered spoken language interpreters and sign language interpreters that have met certain training and testing requirements. Search for Interpreters Reimbursement form for circuits Reimbursement form instructions Resources This section provides the following resources for circuit courts and interpreters: Getting certified as an interpreter IL map illustrating language assistance services by county Local and online training programs Legal glossaries in several different languages Self-study resources for interpreters Benchcard & Information Card on Courtroom Interpreting Language Access Plans The AOIC is overseeing the creation and implementation of Language Access Plans in each of the 24 judicial circuits of the state, based on a Plan template that was approved by the Illinois Supreme Court. Once a circuit court submits a Plan, it will be publicly available here. Illinois Supreme Court Language Access Policy and Code of Interpreter Ethics The Illinois Supreme Court adopted a Language Access Policy and Code of Interpreter Ethics to provide guidance to the judiciary and develop a unified approach for the provision of statewide language access services in Illinois courts. More... Need more information? Contact Details For additional help with these topic, please contact us below. Noor Alawawda Program Coordinator, Language Access nalawawda@illinoiscourts.gov (312) 793-6181 (312) 793-0740 Alison D. Spanner Assistant Director aspanner@illinoiscourts.gov (312) 793-3859 (312) 793-0740