Happy New Year!

As we begin 2024, we want to first express our sincere gratitude to all of our supporters over the last year. You helped grow and sustain our Community of Service. With your financial and volunteer support, PILI was able to make an incredible effort in increasing access to justice throughout Illinois.

In 2024, we will continue our mission to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice, but we cannot do it alone. We hope to count on your continued involvement and support over the year to come.

We hope you will join our Young Professionals Board at Arcade for Legal Aid on Wednesday, April 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hi-Point Game Lounge. This event is a great way to join the PILI community in supporting our work while having fun. We hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

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. Volunteers are actively needed now! Read more »

News & Updates

• Meet the PILI Spring Semester Law Student Interns. Nine PILI Law Student Interns have been placed at nine public interest law organizations this semester. Collectively, they will provide 1,800 hours of legal services throughout the semester. PILI also designates a number of Named and Honorary Interns each year, thanks to special funding commitments made by individual and organizational champions for public interest law. Meet the Spring 2024 Law School Interns here »

• Our 2024 theme is Empowered to Advocate. We empower law students, lawyers, and legal professionals to advocate for others. And we empower our clients to advocate for themselves. How do we empower to advocate, so we can advance equal access to justice within our legal system? Learn about this year's theme here »

• PILI Received Renewed Funding from Several Foundations. PILI is grateful to the Francis Beidler Foundation, the Robert Gallagher Foundation, the Lawyers Trust Fund and the Diversity Scholarship Foundation for their support of PILI. Read more here »

• PILI is hiring! Thanks to new funding from the Lawyers Trust Fund, PILI is looking for an attorney to join our Programs Team as an Attorney Program Manager in a newly created position. The role will be focused on our Pro Bono Program in the southern portion of the state and the ideal candidate would be based there. Learn more »

• Calling All Law Firms, Corporations, Law Schools & Bar Associations! PILI is looking for hosts for Illinois Free Legal Answers clinics in 2024. Clinics are a great way to introduce volunteers to Illinois Free Legal Answers and provide a team environment to answer civil legal questions for those in need of help. This is also a great partnership opportunity for these groups to come together for a joint clinic. Learn 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 »

• Intern & Fellow Application System Now Open. 2L and 1L law students can now apply for Summer 2024 Law Student Internships. And those interested in Graduate Fellowships next summer can also 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

• March 5th - 14th Circuit Criminal Records Relief Clinic
• April 10th - YPB's Arcade for Legal Aid
• June 26th - Annual Pro Bono Reception
• December 11th - Annual Awards Luncheon