Hello!

Last week, we took a virtual tour across Illinois as part of our 2021 Annual Pro Bono Reception. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the trip, including our event sponsors, and helped us raise almost $90,000 for our Pro Bono Program!

PILI's Pro Bono Program works to increase the availability of pro bono legal help for those who cannot afford an attorney in Illinois by developing innovative pro bono opportunities, offering pro bono programming and resources, cultivating best practices, and celebrating the life-changing pro bono performed throughout the state. You can read more about pro bono opportunities and other ways to get involved below!

We hope you are having a great summer!

Sincerely, 
PILI Recognizes Pro Bono Contributions
As part of our 2021 virtual Annual Pro Bono Reception, we celebrated those named to PILI’s Pro Bono Volunteer Honor Roll. We are so grateful to these extraordinary volunteers whom we regularly rely on to help individuals, families and communities in need:
  • Reuben Bernick
  • Judge Michael Brandt (Ret.)
  • Sabreena El-Amin
  • Jeremy Heiple
  • Gail Rogers
We also recognized 47 law firms and corporations named to PILI's 2021 Pro Bono Recognition Roster whose substantial pro bono contributions are making a difference in addressing the legal needs of low-income and underrepresented Illinoisans!
Illinois Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal clinic where low-income Illinois residents can submit a question online to ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. We're seeing an increase in questions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and need more volunteers to answer questions. Learn more.

Self-represented litigants in the Illinois Appellate Court face many unique challenges without adequate resources to assist them through the appellate process. This platform is the first-ever virtual legal advice clinic for civil appeals in Illinois. Volunteer lawyers with appellate experience are needed! Learn more. 

IL-AFLAN provides civil legal services across Illinois to veterans, active duty military and their spouses and dependents and PILI refers pro bono matters in the 101 counties outside of Cook County. Help us serve those who have served us!  Learn more.

Volunteers meet with self-represented litigants for 30-minute appointments to help them understand and navigate the legal process, fill out forms and answer questions. Virtual volunteer shifts are currently available at the Champaign, Madison and Tazewell County Courthouses. Learn more.

PILI is excited to welcome the 2021 class of summer Interns and Fellows! This year, 46 summer Law Student Interns and 63 Graduate Fellows will provide 37,300 hours of legal services.



PILI is excited to welcome Mariel E. Lopez-Cruz, who has joined the PILI team as the Administrative Coordinator and is based in Chicago. She is responsible for providing administrative support to PILI staff and its programs. Read more.

Thank You to Our Donors
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who support PILI!
  • Marty Cozzolla who joined PILI's Giving Circles.
  • Polk Bros. Foundation & Chicago Bar Foundation for supporting PILI's Law Student Internship Program.
  • DuPage Bar Foundation funded pro bono projects in in DuPage County.
  • Francis Beidler Foundation gave towards general operating expenses.
In Illinois, PILI is the gateway through which the legal community serves. PILI converts gifts of time and money into system-wide positive impact—together, we not only directly serve those who need legal help, but also engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice.