This guide is designed to present alternatives to fee-based research databases. In practice you may not have access to subscription databases or you may be working for a client that will not pay for research time and fees, but there are many free legal research resources available online now. Consult this guide for links to free primary and secondary resources.
If you have questions or need a resource recommendation, consult a law librarian. The reference librarians at the law library are available to assist with your research questions. Additionally, the Cook County Law Library on the 29th floor of the Daley Center (118 50 West Washington, Chicago) is open to the public and is staffed by knowledgeable law librarians.
Email: law.lawlibrary@cookcountyil.gov
Phone: 312-603-5423
The key to being an effective researcher is to develop a plan. Regardless of whether you are using free or fee-based resources, your strategy should remain the same. If you don't know where to start or when to stop, consult this chart.
For assistance with legal research questions, research strategies, print research, or legal databases questions, contact the UIC Law reference librarians via law-library@uic.edu or "Make an Appointment" via the online scheduler. Please book your appointment 48 business hours in advance. Alternatively, you can stop by the reference desk for immediate help with a quick research question.