Section 350.135  Payment of Fees

a)         Written Notice

No client shall be charged a fee for legal services unless given written notice that fees will be charged prior to the provision of legal assistance.

b)         Billing

The Legal Advocacy Service shall bill the client for legal services rendered at least every six months, except as provided in Section 350.130 of this Part.

c)         Suspension of Services for Nonpayment

Legal services shall be terminated or suspended if the client does not remit payment within six months after billing, consistent with Rule 1.16 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (Supreme Court Rules, RPC 1.116).  The Legal Advocacy Service Director shall determine whether legal services shall be terminated or suspended and notify the client in writing.  At the request of the client or the client's legal representative, the Director of the Commission shall review the Legal Advocacy Service Director's decision, render a written decision, and notify the client within 30 days.  At the request of the client or the client's legal representative, the Commission Chairperson shall review the Director of the Commission's  decision, render a written decision and notify the client within 30 days.  The client and the client's legal representative may submit additional information to the Director of the Commission and Chairperson during their review.

(Source:  Amended at 24 Ill. Reg. 11264, effective August 1, 2000)