Filing a Complaint: Small Claims Cook County Assistance

I believe that this is primarily a breach-of-contract case with some aspects suggesting legal malpractice. In short, my former lawyer happily collected money from me after signing a flat-rate contract for specific work to be performed. He then tired of the project and simply quit mid-way. He then kept federal application filing fees he had collected from me to hold in a lawyer's trust account, and he says that he won't return those filing fees to me (hundreds of dollars) or any other money unless I sue him--despite my written demand and expressed desire to use the filing-fee money to file certain applications myself. Further, the attorney warned that if I sue him then he's going to counter-sue for thousands of dollars because he claims he did work above and beyond what the contract required. He now says that if he ends up in court then he is going to bill for those hours (he also said that if I don't sue him then he won't bill for those hours). Keeping my money for no other reason than as leverage against me taking him to court just doesn't seem fair, acceptable or professional.

How can I go about finding an attorney or other legal advocate who might be able to help me? Most attorneys I've contacted say that the dollars involved (about $1000 to $5000, depending on the legal angle) just isn't worth their time. I feel I can't go up against this guy in small claims court and win without support, especially because I'd have to travel out of state and because I've never been to small claims court before. Are there legal professionals for hire who would either be willing to go to small claims court on my behalf or accompany me if I am able to make the trip?

Thank you kindly for reading.

Filing a Complaint: Small Claims Cook County Assistance