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Hotline Number 312-738-9200
September 1, 2021
Register for Your Golden Gavel Celebration Tickets Today!
This year’s Golden Gavel Celebration is literally a family affair. We are very pleased to celebrate the many contributions to pro bono and CARPLS made by both our Honorees—Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry and Sean Gallagher.
 
Bill Lowry served on CARPLS board from 2001-2007.
 
“I have always been impressed with his passion to serve others and his ability to meet people where they are at and effortlessly push them to think bigger about the deep needs of our community,” Allen Schwartz, CARPLS Executive Director, said. “He recently came and spoke to our staff during a training on structural racism and they fell in love his dedication and leadership. Whether as managing partner or as a volunteer or as a Cook County Commissioner, there is no question that Bill is hands on in making a difference in peoples’ lives. He is the embodiment of the Golden Gavel Award.”
 
Sean has been an integral part of CARPLS for the last decade, including serving as President of the Board.

“The Ralph A. Gabric award is only given periodically for special CARPLS’ champions,” Allen Schwartz said. “Sean tends to be understated and has a quiet leadership style that has been integral to the board and the organization. When we had our anniversary a few years ago, Sean had a vision of what we could accomplish and motivated the board to reach higher than they expected. He is the calm in the storm with the many changes we see happening in terms of the services and resources that are needed most. Sean now serves on the Advisory Board, but he is never far away.” 
We are very grateful to our sponsors, in formation:
Presenting Sponsor
Champion Sponsor
Founder Sponsors
Cornerstone Sponsors
Frontline Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
Guardian Sponsors
Goodbye Denise Pietrucha!
Denise Pietrucha, CARPLS’ Office Manager for 10+ years, retired in mid-August. This post is based on a thank you letter we wrote to commemorate her many contributions and the permanent impact she left on the organization:

Denise,

We will miss you. You bring dedication and efficiency to everything you do, but most of all, you do everything with heart.

Thank you for making sure we kept the organization running efficiently—including the last 18+ months during the pandemic where you made everything look seamless.
Check Out Our Latest Spanish Page
Our hotline helps thousands of people who need to find answers to their legal problems.

Nuestra línea de asistencia ayuda a miles de personas que necesitan encontrar respuestas a los problemas legales de todos.
Client Puts Debt Case Behind Her
"Sheila" called CARPLS because she received a collection notice from the city totaling hundreds of dollars that she could not recall. She had her motion granted for a new hearing, but then the courts shut down due to the pandemic, keeping her case in limbo. CARPLS continued to follow up with her regularly since March 2020. In summer of 2021, her hearing finally went forward, resulting in a lowered fine amount to just $100, which she's able to pay off and resolve, putting this issue behind her.

Sheila had been suffering with personal issues at the time of the collection notice but has since turned her life around. She has now received her degree and is working with the homeless. 

If you know anyone who is experiencing debt issues, direct them to the ERP hotline at cookcountylegalaid.org today.
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CARPLS | 17 N. State Street | Suite 1850 | Chicago | Illinois | 60602 | carpls.org