By Michael G. Bergmann, 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 is on the ISBA Pro Bono page.  

Additionally, several years ago, the ISBA launched its Pro Bono Partner initiative, through which members commit to: (1) seek out the local pro bono legal services being supplied to individuals or charitable, religious or civic organizations in their community; (2) attend or support a recognition ceremony for those who participate in pro bono services in their community; (3) consider attending a training provided to lawyers who provide pro bono services; and (4) commit to joining the efforts to increase access to the legal system. Learn more about Pro Bono Partner initiative.

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.

Wednesday, October 11th

PILI’s Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, in partnership with Deere & Company, will host this event 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 Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

Thursday, October 12th

PILI’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour

Join the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee in partnership with the Champaign County Bar Association for a happy hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of our committee members and local pro bono volunteers. The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee’s Community Legal Services Award will be presented at this event.

Wednesday, October 18th

PILI’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate 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 at Danville Country Club at 5:30 p.m.  Michael Bergmann of the Public Interest Law Initiative and Susan Zielke of Land of Lincoln Legal Aid will be the special guest speakers at this event.

Thursday, October 19th

PILI’s Second Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner

Join the Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee for a dinner to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of our committee members and local pro bono volunteers.

Monday, October 23rd

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, recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate recipients of pro bono service awards. 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 Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White will be the special guest speaker.

Tuesday, October 24th

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. At this event, we will present the Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award to one or more lawyers practicing in the Third Judicial Circuit who have provided outstanding pro bono services to low-income individuals and charitable organizations in the last year. Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet will be the special guest speaker.

Wednesday, October 25th

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 on Illinois Free Legal Answers. A project of the American Bar Association, Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where low-income Illinoisans can ask a lawyer for help with a civil legal issue. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site at their convenience and answer questions waiting in the queue. This event is a virtual walk-in legal clinic.

PILI's Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

The Twentieth 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 Land of Lincoln Pro Bono Award recipient. Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet and Twentieth Circuit Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson will be our special guest speakers for this event.

Thursday, October 26th

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’s monthly Unwind Happy Hour. ISBA President Shawn Kasserman will be the special guest speaker at this event.

PILI’s Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Week Event

The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, in partnership with Rock Island County Bar Association, will host this event 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 Fourteenth Judicial Circuit.

Wednesday, November 1st

PILI Alumni & YPB Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic

Celebrate Pro Bono Week with PILI by joining us for a demonstration of how to use the Illinois Free Legal Answers site and answer 1-2 questions for those in need through this discrete pro bono opportunity at this virtual legal clinic hosted by PILI’s Alumni Network Leadership Council and Young Professionals Board. After we answer questions, stay for an informal reception.

Wednesday, November 8th

PILI’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event and reception to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. This event is co-sponsored by the McLean County Bar Association. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White will be the special guest speaker.

Thursday, November 9th

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

The Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and provide an opportunity to do some pro bono work. This event is an opportunity for attorneys and NIU law students to jointly answer questions for people in need on Illinois Free Legal Answers. Attendees will receive a brief demonstration of how to use the site to answer civil legal questions, and then attorneys and law students will pair up to answer questions for people in need.