The Illinois Supreme Court is raising the licensing fee for attorneys to pay for legal services for the poor.
The high court said Tuesday it would raise the yearly fee by 18%, or $53, to $342. The entire increase will go to the Lawyers Trust Fund. The fund pays for Illinois agencies that provide legal help the poor in non-criminal cases.
The court says the money is needed because low interest rates are hurting the trust fund. The interest for this year is estimated at $2.7 million. In 2008 that figure was more than $17 million.
It is estimated the increase in licensing fees will raise $3.5 million. The Illinois Supreme Court says lawyers in the state pay the lowest dues in the nation.