Hotline Number 312-738-9200
May 2018
Supporting Military Families
Arlington National Cemetery
Memorial Day takes on a special meaning for CARPLS this year as we celebrate the successes of our newly established civil legal aid hotline for the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN). The IL-AFLAN hotline ensures lawyers are available to Illinois veterans, military members, and their families statewide through a partnership funded by the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation.

Since the hotline began in August 2017, we have helped on over 1,000 cases covering hundreds of different legal topics. More than half of the veterans we have served experience a disability. The counsel of an experienced attorney has made a critical difference to veterans seeking advice in the areas of family law, particularly related to child support issues.

Family law matters pose extra challenges to military families due to stress, deployments or other lengthy separations. Child support can become especially complicated, when a veteran has a child support case in another state other than where they currently reside. Unaware of the state laws that apply, veterans can have a higher threshold of unpaid child support than a civilian noncustodial parent.

Problems can also arise for veterans who owe child support when payment amounts are determined at an earlier point in their lives, such as before periods of unemployment, medical treatment, or rehabilitation after a service-related injury.

Falling behind on payments leads to a variety of penalties that make it even tougher to climb out--such as driver's license suspensions, removal of funds from bank accounts, damaged credit, garnishing of any new income, or even incarceration for contempt.

In turn, the consequences of unpaid child support create significant barriers for veterans in getting back to work or simply maintaining their housing, and further hindering their ability to make back payments.

The IL-AFLAN hotline is an essential program to enable veterans and military members to get ahead of their legal troubles before they become insurmountable crises.

"On the IL-AFLAN hotline, our goal is to help the veteran get a handle on the child support obligation including getting copies of court orders and an accounting of what is supposedly owed. Once the facts are known, we can put the veteran on the path to addressing the arrearage," says Pat Wrona, CARPLS' Legal Director.

Our attorneys take great pride in connecting each client with solutions to successfully support their families and themselves. You can reach the IL-AFLAN hotline at 855-IL-AFLAN (452-3526).
Calling All Volunteers!
Are you interested in putting your legal skills to work to provide everyday justice for everyday people? Looking to make a meaningful impact in our community? The next volunteer training session begins on May 8th! Complete our training to learn how to assist thousands through our hotline AND earn free CLE credit. You can learn more and sign up through our volunteer webpage or contact Leslie Wallin at 312.421.4427 or lwallin@carpls.org.
2018 Golden Gavel Celebration
Meet our Golden Gavel Honoree: Peter M. Lieb
We are very pleased to present this year's Golden Gavel Award to Peter M. Lieb, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Company Secretary of Aon plc for his exemplary service and dedication to ensuring access to justice for all.

Peter holds a law degree from the University of Michigan, where he was managing editor of the Michigan Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif. Prior to joining Aon in July 2009, Peter was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at NCR Corporation. Earlier in his career, Peter was a partner at the Jones Day law firm and served as law clerk to Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren E. Burger.

Through his leadership and commitment of time and resources, Peter launched the Pro Bono Initiative across Aon's Global Law Department to support the volunteer legal activities of Aon professionals worldwide, which have become truly integrated into their day-to-day practices.

Aon's legal team has since devoted thousands of hours to representing asylum seekers and refugees, expunging and sealing criminal records, assisting senior citizens with living wills and powers of attorney, providing general advice at drop-in clinics, and assisting nonprofits and social enterprises with internal legal reviews. In addition, Aon has partnered with several law firms to conduct pro bono legal projects.

Peter leads by example and is especially proud of serving as a strong advocate on behalf of immigrants, including representation of a gay asylum seeker who feared violent persecution in his country of origin because of his sexual orientation. When abrupt changes occurred in national immigration policy, Peter counseled individuals and families at O'Hare International Airport regarding their concerns arising from the travel restrictions.

"Peter is an exceptional leader who has motivated our legal team to take on diverse pro bono projects, which has allowed us to make meaningful contributions in strengthening our communities," says Kathleen Sweitzer, an Aon attorney and CARPLS board member.

CARPLS congratulates Peter on this honor. We hope you can join us for this special occasion.
Our annual Golden Gavel Celebration will take place on Thursday, May 24 to promote access to justice for all. Click here to buy your tickets or make a donation to support CARPLS.

The Fairmont Hotel
Golden Gavel Sponsors To Date
CARPLS would like to extend a thank you to all of our Golden Gavel Celebration sponsors. Their generous participation ensures everyday justice is accessible to thousands of everyday people. A special thank you to Latham & Watkins , our Reception Sponsor.
Benefit Sponsor
Champion Sponsor
Founder Sponsor
Cornerstone Sponsor
Frontline Sponsor
Partner Sponsor
Nick DiGiovanni
Brock and Kristen LaMarca Family Foundation
Professor Leonard J. & Joyce S. Schrager
Guardian Sponsor
Bruce R. Braun
Paul E. Freehling
The Honorable Susan Fox Gillis
Margaret M. Haas
Kathy & Kyle Hartman
Joseph F. Hetz
Sarah M. Konsky &
Justin Clark
Andrea S. Kramer
Chelsea & Jim Medek

Mark Ouweleen &
Sarah Harding
Pamela L. Peters &
Michael J. Hughes
Tanya & Henry Pietrkowski
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