By Michael G. Bermann, Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative

Save the date for another Pro Bono Week celebration! Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America’s lawyers and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. 

The ISBA has commemorated this national celebration each year by encouraging its members to perform pro bono and by recognizing those who meet the call. More information and resources from the ISBA on Pro Bono Week and pro bono in general can be found on the ISBA website.  

In Illinois, there are a variety of organizations that plan events to celebrate the lifechanging pro bono work being done across our state. Some of those events are detailed below and organized by the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), Prairie State Legal Services and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. Visit the PILI website for an update to date listing of Pro Bono Week events. Advance registration is required for all events.

And what better way to celebrate pro bono than to do pro bono?! If you aren’t already connected with a legal service provider in your area, you can fill this form out and the ISBA will connect you soon.

Thursday, OCTOBER 17th

PILI’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award recipient. The reception will be held as part of the DuPage County Bar Association monthly Unwind Happy Hour.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18th

PILI’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Happy Hour

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this Happy Hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. This event is from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Pour Bros. Taproom in Bloomington.

Monday, October 21st

PILI’s Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers. At this event, we will present the Tenth Judicial Circuit Joseph A. Dailing Pro Bono Service Award to one or more lawyers practicing in the Tenth Judicial Circuit who have provided outstanding pro bono services to low-income individuals and charitable organizations in the last year. Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court Justice Amy Lannerd will be our special guest speaker. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Renaissance Room at the Janssen Law Center in Peoria.

Tuesday, October 22nd

PILI’s Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon

The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet will be our special guest speaker. The event is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College in Edwardsville.

PILI’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

Join the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee as we commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers whose work has helped to expand and enhance access to justice in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. At the event, Land of Lincoln will present the Joseph Bartylak Pro Bono Award. The event is from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in Belleville.

Wednesday, October 23rd

PILI’s Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

The Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers. At this event, we will present the inaugural Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award to one or more lawyers practicing in the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit who have provided outstanding pro bono services to low-income individuals or charitable organizations in the last year. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford will be our special guest speaker. The event is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Lakeview Grille in Yorkville.

PILI's Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Dinner

The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and to celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award Recipients. This in-person event will be held on Wednesday, October 23rd at the Mattoon Country Club. This is a ticketed event.

Tuesday, October 29th

PILI's Second Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner

Join the Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers whose work has helped to expand and enhance access to justice in the Second Judicial Circuit. This dinner will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29th in Mt. Vernon.

Wednesday, October 30th

PILI’s First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Celebration: Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic

Join the First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and celebrate Pro Bono Week by getting together with other attorneys and law students to do pro bono at an Illinois Free Legal Answers clinic. This event is being hosted by Southern Illinois University Simmons School of Law from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. and registration is open to law students and attorneys.