U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, received the Champion of Justice Award from the Legal Services Corporation on Mar. 24 in recognition of his efforts to improve access to justice for Americans.
The award highlights ongoing challenges in providing civil legal assistance to low-income individuals across the country. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the largest funder of civil legal aid in the United States, supporting 130 local organizations that served 1.8 million people in 2024. In Illinois alone, LSC-funded groups helped nearly 67,000 people and closed over 28,500 cases last year.
Durbin said, “Although I’ve had the honor of representing the state of Illinois in Congress, I started my legal career as a small-town attorney. Because of that work, I’m acutely aware of the wide disparity in the ability of Americans of different economic means to access the civil justice system.” He added: “Legal aid changes lives for the better and improves our communities. I’ve been proud to support the LSC—and will continue to with my remaining time in Congress—and I’m grateful for this recognition.”
Despite these efforts, limited resources mean that about half of eligible clients are turned away by LSC grantees each year. A study from 2022 found that low-income Americans did not receive any or enough help for most serious civil legal problems they faced.
President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal included $21 million earmarked for closing down LSC entirely—a move advocates say would be devastating since many grantees rely on LSC for about one-third of their funding. For now, Congress has allocated $540 million for FY2026—$20 million less than last year and far below what was requested by LSC.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays a significant role in matters affecting constitutional protections and public safety through its legislative and oversight responsibilities according to its official website. The committee reviews legislation related to judicial issues and oversees federal law enforcement according to its official website. It is led by a chairperson and includes senators from both major political parties according to its official website. Based in Washington D.C., it influences federal law nationwide according to its official website, including on matters like civil rights and public safety according to its official website.
As lawmakers debate future funding levels for legal aid programs like those supported by LSC, supporters warn that further cuts could widen gaps in access to justice.
