October 2026 PILI Post

Hello!

October is a time to celebrate the power of pro bono!

Across Illinois, PILI’s Pro Bono Week celebrations are bringing together the legal community to recognize volunteers, honor local leaders and inspire continued service. With national Pro Bono Week taking place October 25–31, our Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees are celebrating throughout the month. We hope you’ll join an event near you and help us thank those who give their time and talent to expand access to justice. Explore our 2026 Pro Bono Week events »

The celebration continues on December 9th at our 2026 Annual Awards Luncheon at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago! Join us to honor outstanding service and support the programs that connect people in need with legal help across Illinois. We are grateful to our generous sponsors for making this work possible.

Tickets are available now — we look forward to celebrating with you! Learn more and purchase tickets »

This month’s PILI Post also includes updates and opportunities to learn, volunteer and get involved this fall. Read on for details, and visit our events calendar for more ways to connect.

Thank you for helping us meet the moment and build a more accessible justice system.

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

Tickets Available Now for PILI's Annual Awards Luncheon!

PILI’s Annual Awards Luncheon brings together the Illinois legal community every year to celebrate the very best aspects of the legal profession. This event is PILI’s largest annual fundraiser, providing critical support for our work across Illinois. At this event, we will also be presenting the recipients of PILI's Annual Awards. Join us in celebration on Wednesday, December 9th from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Learn more about sponsoring the Annual Awards Luncheon here. You may also contact PILI's Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or at 312-832-5129.

Learn More

News & Updates

Introducing the New Alumni Network Leadership Council Intern and Fellow Representatives
PILI is thrilled to welcome Brittany Ochoa and Alana Porter to our Alumni Network Leadership Council as this year’s Law Student Intern and Graduate Fellow Representatives. Each year, PILI selects recent Alumni to serve a two-year term on the Board, bringing fresh insight from their experiences in the field. Brittany and Alana will help strengthen the bridge between current Interns and Fellows as well as Alumni. Read more »

PILI Receives Renewed Foundation Support

We are grateful to the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation and the Community Foundation of Central Illinois for their continued support of PILI and our work to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice. Read more »

Our last two Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series programs for this year are: "Preparing Your Client for Mediation" on November 4th at 12:00 pm and "What’s New in Legal Ethics" on December 1st at 12:00 pm. Attendees will receive 1.0 hour of general MCLE credit for the November program and 1.0 hour of professional responsibility MCLE credit for the December program. Register now »

Applications for Spring Semester 2026 Law School Internships and Summer 2027 Graduate Fellows Now Open

PILI opened its application system for Spring 2026 school-year Internships and Summer 2027 Graduate Fellowships at 10:00 a.m. CT on October 15th. Those interested in summer 2027 PILI Law Student Internships will be able to apply on November 1st for 2Ls and November 15th for 1Ls. Learn more »

Other Upcoming Programs & Events

October 23rd - DeKalb & Kane County Criminal Records Relief Clinic - Volunteer Sign Up
November 4th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Preparing Your Client for Mediation
November 6th - Volunteer Sign Up: Madison County Wills & Power of Attorney Legal Clinic
November 13th - Fall Intern Seminar: Environmental Law in a Record Breaking Year
December 1st - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: What’s New in Legal Ethics
December 9th - Annual Awards Luncheon

Volunteer Spotlight

This month we want to highlight our pro bono award recipients who have dedicated their time and skills to expanding access to justice across Illinois. The following are being recognized for their pro bono service and leadership by some of PILI's Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees during our 2026 Pro Bono Week celebration:

Third Judicial Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder Pro Bono Champion Award:

Angela Wille

Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award:

Cara Mellan

Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Award:

Hope of East Central Illinois

Sixth Judicial Circuit Community Legal Service Awards:

University of Illinois College of Law Family Advocacy Clinic

Tenth Judicial Circuit Joseph A. Dailing Pro Bono Service Award:

Kelly R. Giraudo

Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Service Awards:

John Kelly and Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella LLC