Prairie State Legal Services began operations in 1977, and provides free legal help to senior citizens and low-income persons in 36 counties in northern and central Illinois. It has service offices in Bloomington, Galesburg, Joliet, Kankakee, McHenry, Ottawa, Peoria, Rockford, Rock Island, St. Charles, Waukegan, and Wheaton. Prairie State attorneys specialize in issues related to poverty law. Some of the cases commonly accepted for more extensive legal representation include, but are not limited to: domestic violence orders of protection; financial exploitation or abuse of the elderly or persons with disabilities; denials or evictions from public or subsidized housing; utility shut-offs; and improper garnishment of exempt income or assets.