Dear Michael,

This week, we are celebrating National Volunteer Week from April 20-26, 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. We've featured a different segment of our volunteers each day this week on our website and on our social media. Thank you for all you do!

We have also opened the self-certification process for our 2025 Pro Bono Recognition Roster and the submission deadline is Friday, May 9th. We will celebrate those law firms and corporations named to the Recognition Roster at our Annual Pro Bono Reception on June 25^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. Thanks to the efforts of our YPB, we raised over $35,000 from this event to support the work of PILI. Read more »

• Illinois Supreme Court Approves MCLE Credit for Pro Bono Pilot Project through Illinois Free Legal Answers. The Illinois Supreme Court has established the MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Project effective July 1, 2025 in an effort to help to address unmet legal needs in Illinois by allowing Illinois attorneys to earn MCLE credit by doing pro bono work through Illinois Free Legal Answers for which PILI is the state administrator. Learn more »

• Dates Announced for PILI's 2025 Pro Bono Roundtables. Every year, PILI holds several Roundtables and its Pro Bono Forum to bring together pro bono leaders from corporations, legal service agencies and law schools to discuss timely pro bono issues, challenges and best practices and develop strategies to expand and enhance pro bono in Illinois. Learn more and register »

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

• Join us for our 2025 Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series. Our next session, "Vicarious Trauma in Pro Bono," will be held on June 3rd from noon to 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. Attendees at this session will receive 1.o hour of Illinois MCLE Mental Health & Substance Abuse Credit subject to approval. Additional sessions are scheduled for June 24th and July 17th and the Series will continue throughout 2025. Attendees are asked to make a small pro bono commitment in return for the free CLE. Learn more and register »

• 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 »

• PILI welcomes Alex Schumacher to the team! Alex joined the PILI team this month as our Program Associate. He is responsible for planning and implementing programming for PILI’s Law Student Internship & Graduate Fellowship Programs as well as programming for our PILI Alumni. Read more about Alex »

• Self-certification is open for our 2025 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 25th. Join approximately 50 law firms and corporations that are recognized every year. The submission deadline is Friday, May 9th. Learn more and complete the certification »

Other Upcoming Programs & Events

• May 1st - ISBA Law Day 2025 Virtual Clinic
• May 2nd - Law Day Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic (Charleston)
• May 6th - Legal Service Agency Roundtable
• May 21st - Law Firm Leader Pro Bono Summit (Peoria)
• May 28th - PILI Law Student Intern & Graduate Fellow Orientation
• May 29th - Franklin County Power of Attorney Clinic
• June 3rd - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Vicarious Trauma in Pro Bono Work
• June 4th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: Bridging the Justice Gap
• June 11th - Corporate Pro Bono Roundtable
• June 11th - PILI Alumni, Interns & Fellows Volunteer Opportunity - The Sharehouse
• June 12th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: Addressing Today's Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Challenges
• June 18th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: A Path Forward - End of Cash Bail, Restorative Justice & Record Clearing
• June 24th - Summer Educational Seminar Series: Ethical Considerations for Legal Aid & Pro Bono Representation
• June 24th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Ethical Considerations for Legal Aid & Pro Bono Representation
• June 25th - Annual Pro Bono Reception
• December 10th - Annual Awards Luncheon