As 2023 comes to an end, we are so incredibly grateful for the PILI community of service. From completing Law Student Internships and Graduate Fellowships to answering questions on Illinois Free Legal Answers to volunteering at an expungement clinic or providing pro bono representation to a client, PILI thanks you for your commitment to advancing access to justice across Illinois. And none of this would be possible without the support of the Illinois legal community for which we are also thankful.

At our Annual Awards Luncheon earlier this month, we announced our theme for 2024: Empowered to Advocate. We empower law students, lawyers, and legal professionals to advocate for others. And we empower our clients to advocate for themselves. But what does this look like? How do we empower to advocate, so we can advance equal access to justice within our legal system? Read about this year's theme here »

Before we ring in the new year, we hope you will make a year-end gift to support or join us in our work to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice. Make a year-end gift to support PILI, answer a question on Illinois Free Legal Answers, or find other ways to get involved.

Our thanks again for all your support this year. May you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

On December 6th, over 350 members of the Illinois legal community gathered together to celebrate the very best aspects of the legal profession. Thank you to all who joined us to celebrate PILI and our work to make equal access to justice a reality. And congratulations again to our award recipients: Clifford Histed, Susan Lester, Matthew Newsted and Zurich North America.

Thanks to the support of 56 law firms, corporations and law school sponsors as well as individual donors and supporters, we raised over $240,000 through the event to support PILI’s work to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice. Read more and check out the photo album from the event »

Help is Needed to Address Immigration Crisis

The Illinois legal community is rising to the occasion once again, this time assisting migrants in our current immigration crisis. As new arrivals continue to come to Illinois from the U.S.-Mexico border, many legal aid organizations are assisting them to ensure they have access to the rights they are entitled to and empowering them with information. There are a variety of efforts underway and help is needed to assist those with no where else to turn. PILI has created a page that we will update as the response develops with pro bono opportunities to address this crisis. Read more »

News & Updates

• Now is the time to make a year-end gift to support PILI! Your gift will help us grow and sustain our Community of Service to continue helping those with unmet legal needs. Will you help our Community of Service thrive by making a donation today? Read more »

• PILI's 2023 Year in Review is Now Available! The Year in Review details our impact over the past year and highlights our many accomplishments in our work to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice. Read the 2023 Year in Review »

• PILI mourns the passing of Roslyn Lieb. Roz served as PILI 's Executive Director from 1997-2004 and as a Life Director on PILI's Board of Directors since her departure from PILI. Roz passed away in November 2023. She will be fondly remembered and missed by all who knew her and whose lives she touched. Read more about Roz's legacy here »

• Thank You for a Successful Giving Tuesday 2023! We want to thank and congratulate the members of our Young Professionals Board whose time and efforts made this Giving Tuesday a success. We are also grateful to all of those who made a contribution as part of the campaign to support our work. Read our Giving Tuesday wrap up post here »

• In honor of Veterans Day, PILI partnered with the Illinois Bar Foundation in support of its 2023 Week of Service. In November, PILI partnered with the Illinois Bar Foundation for their inaugural Week of Service to present two CLE programs to support volunteer attorneys who work with veteran clients on Illinois Free Legal Answers or through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN) If you are interested in viewing either of these programs for CLE credit for free in exchange for a small pro bono commitment, contact us.

• Intern & Fellow Application System Now Open! Agencies are still hiring Law Student Interns for Spring Semester 2024. 2L and 1L law students can now apply for Summer 2024 Law Student Internships. And those interested in Graduate Fellowships next summer can apply now. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all agencies have completed their hiring. Learn more here »

• Volunteers Needed! PILI is in need of volunteers for a variety of ongoing and upcoming pro bono opportunities across the state. Learn more » 

Other Upcoming Programs & Events in 2024

• April 10th - YPB's Arcade for Legal Aid
• June 26th - Annual Pro Bono Reception
• December 11th - Annual Awards Luncheon