How does a divorce trial work in Chicago?

I’m in the middle of a contested divorce with my husband who was mentally and physically abusive to me. The judge has made us attend settlement conferences but we haven’t been able to resolve anything and I don’t even want to be in the same room with him. The judge said if we don’t settle, we have to go to a contested divorce trial. I have not been happy with my current attorney who seems to think we are going to have trouble proving the abuse. I think it’s a big part of my case. If I fire my attorney, can I represent myself in a divorce trial and how does that work/what do I need to know? Am I allowed to testify about the abuse and bring in witnesses? If I do need an attorney, will one take the case when we are already halfway through?