This April, we are celebrating National Volunteer Week from April 21-27, and we are so incredibly grateful to all of those who serve on our Board of Directors, Young Professionals Board, Alumni Leadership, Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees and all of our pro bono volunteers across the state. Thank you for all you do! Follow along with us on our social media for spotlights of several of our volunteers.

Also this month, we observe Arab American Heritage Month. We honor the important contributions Arab Americans have made and continue to make across our shared history and in our society.

We have also opened the self-certification process for our 2024 Pro Bono Recognition Roster and the submission deadline is Friday, May 3rd. We will unveil the Recognition Roster at our Annual Pro Bono Reception on June 26^th at the Ivy Room in Chicago. 

We are also planning CLE programs and pro bono clinics in the coming months. Details are below and you can always find a list of upcoming events on our website. We hope to see you over the next month!

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

News & Updates

• Thank you to all who made Arcade for Legal Aid a huge success! We are so grateful for the leadership and support of our Young Professionals Board, our generous event sponsors and all of those who attended and/or purchased raffle tickets. We raised over $33,000 to support the work of PILI. Read more »

• PILI welcomes Andrea Schrader to the Team! On April 8th, Andrea started as an Attorney Program Manager for PILI's Southern Region and is based in Edwardsville. She is responsible for helping PILI to expand and enhance pro bono legal assistance in the southern portion of Illinois. Read more »

• PILI has received renewed support from several of our funders. PILI has recently received renewed funding of $28,600 from the Chicago Bar Foundation and $15,000 from the Helen Brach Foundation. We are incredibly grateful for this continued support of our work! Read more »

• Advisors needed for Summer 2024 Interns & Fellows. Each year, we match our Law Student Interns and Graduate Fellows with members of PILI’s Alumni Network or other leadership bodies for career guidance, networking inroads, and a personal introduction to the Illinois legal community. It is not a huge commitment but it can have a big impact! Sign up by May 3rd. Register now » 

• Join PILI and the Illinois State Bar Association for Law Day! On May 1st from noon to 1:30 p.m. and in honor of Law Day, PILI and the ISBA will host a free CLE followed by a virtual clinic to answer questions on Illinois Free Legal Answers. Learn more and register here »

• Sign up for our for the Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series. Our next program, “PILI Pro Bono Basics Part 2: Understanding Veteran Clients,” is from noon to 1:00 p.m. on April 25th. Three other sessions have also been scheduled for the coming months. These CLE programs are free, but we ask that you do at least one of the following over the next 12 months. Learn more and register to attend here »

• PILI's Educational Seminar Series is open to all public interest law interns! These weekly lunchtime seminars focus on substantive legal topics, career development strategies and skill building relevant to public interest law. Programs are held live and in person at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, and virtual participation is also offered. Sign up here »

• Self-certification is now open for our 2024 Pro Bono Recognition Roster. The Pro Bono Recognition Roster honors law firms and corporations that have made significant commitments and contributions to pro bono throughout the state of Illinois. Those named to the Recognition Roster will be honored at the Annual Pro Bono Reception on June 26th. The submission deadline is Friday, May 3rd. Read more »

Other Upcoming Programs & Events

• April 18th - Legal Service Agency Roundtable
• April 25th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Understanding Veteran Clients
• April 26th - Peoria Criminal Records Relief Clinic
• May 1st - ISBA Law Day 2024 Virtual Clinic
• May 16th - PILI Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Chairs Summit
• May 21st - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Cultural Competency & Working with Clients Living in Poverty
• May 30th - PILI Law Student Intern & Graduate Fellow Orientation
• June 25th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Where Do We Stand? DEI efforts in 2024
• June 26th - Annual Pro Bono Reception
• July 17th - Law School Pro Bono Roundtable
• July 18th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Understanding & Addressing Vicarious Trauma
• August 15th - PILI Alumni Reception
• August 17th - DuPage Expungement Clinic
• October 1st - Joint Law Firm & Corporation Pro Bono Roundtable
• December 11th - Annual Awards Luncheon