ISBA News

[caption id="attachment_2915" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Mark Mathewson, ISBA Director of Publications, is congratulated by outgoing NABE President Rod Wegener"][/caption] Mark Mathewson, ISBA Director of Publications, received the 2009 National Association of Bar Executives Peer Excellence Award on Thursday at the association's Annual Meeting. This award recognizes those members who have made a significant contribution to NABE. Mathewson, also the editor of the Illinois Bar Journal and a frequent contributor to Illinois Lawyer Now, was described as "a principled bar executive" who is "knowledgeable and well-respected." Mathewson recently received his Certified Association Executive designation, the highest professional credential in the association world.

[caption id="attachment_2841" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ICADP Board President Garnet Fay, former ISBA president Terry Hegarty, ISBA President John O'Brien and ICADP Executive Director Jeremy Schroeder"][/caption] The Illinois Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty selected the Illinois State Bar Association to receive its organizational award for 2009 for its work to abolish the death penalty in Illinois. ISBA President John O'Brien accepted the award at the group's annual meeting Thursday night in Chicago. Former ISBA president Terry Hegarty, who led the effort to get the  Association to take its position against the death penalty, was also on hand for the award presentation.

The Illinois State Bar Assocation's Young Lawyers Division will host a "Day at the Races" on Sept. 26 to benefit the Children's Assistance Program. This event will take place from noon-6 p.m. at Arlington Park Racecourse, Marquee Tent 3 in the Miller Lite Party Deck in Arlingon Heights. Tickets will be available at 11:30 a.m. at the Grandstand Entrance at the Will Call window. The cost is $60 per person and includes admission, daily racing guide, private party deck, soft drinks, beer, wine and appetizers from 12:30-6 p.m. The deadline is Sept. 15 and space is limited. Contact Meghan O'Brien with questions. Click here to register online.

[caption id="attachment_2691" align="alignright" width="300" caption="IBF Board members Russell Hartigan (left) of Chicago and George Mahoney (right) of Joliet present a $15,000 grant to Meg Benson, CVLS Executive Director."][/caption] The Illinois Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce a $15,000 grant to Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS), one of 32 grants awarded this year totaling $304,995. Founded in 1964, Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (CVLS) is one of the oldest and largest pro bono programs in the country. Last year, nearly 2,000 volunteers provided legal assistance to over 17,000 low-income people. The 2004 Illinois Legal Needs Study found that CVLS is the largest pro bono program in the state, handling nearly 45% of all pro bono cases. One quarter of all cases statewide handled by a legal services program are handled by a CLVS volunteer or staff attorney. The IBF grant specifically supports the Chancery Court Access to Justice Program, a cooperative venture between CVLS and Cook County's Chancery Court. Chancery Court judges appoint CVLS to represent pro se low-income parties in mortgage foreclosures and partitions, actions to quiet title, subsidized housing evictions and appeals of government administrative decisions.