Hello!

With the seasons changing, it is a great time to celebrate pro bono across Illinois with us. PILI has many events happening across the state and throughout the month as part of the the National Celebration of Pro Bono. This includes clinics, workshops, and CLE programming to celebrate and to get involved in pro bono work.

PILI started a new fiscal year on September 1st and with it brought changes in leadership positions on the Board of Directors, Alumni Network Leadership Council, and Young Professionals Board. We are so thankful for these leaders and for their support of PILI. Additionally, a new academic semester has begun, and PILI has welcomed it's Fall 2026 Law Student Interns. We are excited to be involved with another set of future legal professionals and to grow the PILI Alumni Network even further!

We would like to extend a special thanks to all the volunteer attorneys and students as well as our partners at various organizations who gave their time to the DuPage Expungement Clinic earlier this month. With their assistance, 154 people were able to take an important step toward moving forward without the barriers a criminal record can create. Thank you for your commitment to pro bono work!

In addition to our Pro Bono Week festivities and all the above, we have other upcoming events, programming and news to share below. We hope to see you over the next month!

Sincerely,

The Staff at PILI

Celebrate Pro Bono Week with PILI!

Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation.

Looking for a Pro Bono Opportunity?
→ Answer a question on Illinois Free Legal Answers.

News & Updates

Introducing New Leadership of PILI’s Board of Directors

At its July 2026 meeting, the PILI Board of Directors elected new officers for PILI’s next two fiscal years. Lisa McCraw was elected President, Mark O’Meara was elected Vice President, Elizabeth Lewis was elected Secretary, Kimberly Barton was elected Treasurer, and Kyle Petersen was elected Immediate Past President. Their terms began on September 1, 2026 and will conclude on August 31, 2027. Read more »

PILI Welcomes New Members to its Board of Directors

With the start of our new fiscal year, we are also excited to welcome three new members of our Board of Directors! Welcome to Abigail M. Fleming, Sarah F. King and Elise D. Robie. Read more »

Meet PILI’s Fall Semester 2026 Law Student Interns

This semester, 11 Law Student Interns will provide 2,200 hours of legal services supervised by experienced attorneys at one of PILI’s Participating Agencies. In addition to the work experience, the PILI Internship also includes supplemental educational, networking and advising opportunities for these second and third-year law students. Read more »

Casey Nelson Named Chair of PILI’s Alumni Network Leadership Council

With the start of PILI’s new fiscal year, Casey J. Nelson of McGuireWoods assumed leadership of the Alumni Network Leadership Council as Chair. Casey previously served as Chair-Elect and has been a member of the Council since 2016. Read more »

Brandon Knop Named Chair of PILI’s Young Professionals Board

With the start of PILI’s new fiscal year, Brandon Knop of United Airlines assumed leadership of the YPB as Chair. Brandon previously served as Chair-Elect and has been an active member of the Board for several years. Read more »

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

PILI will open 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

• September 25th - Fall Intern Seminar: Connecting Empathetically and Effectively with Clients
• September 29th - Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series: Overview of Filing a Petition for Leave to Appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court
• October 15th to November 2nd - Celebrate Pro Bono Week
• October 16th - Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School: Illinois Free Legal Answers Workshop
• October 17th - Explore the Possibilities: Public Interest Law Program for Law Students in Chicago
• October 23rd - Fall Intern Seminar: Voting Rights in 2026
• 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: DuPage Expungement Clinic

On September 12th, PILI joined our partners for the DuPage Expungement Clinic, providing free legal assistance to individuals seeking to clear their criminal records. By the end of the day, 154 clients had filed petitions to expunge and/or seal over 400 criminal cases.

Making that possible was an incredible team of 40 student volunteers from the College of DuPage and 26 attorney volunteers, along with the many planning committee members and staff who helped make the clinic run smoothly.

We are grateful to our partners at the the DuPage County Bar Association, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of DuPage County, Prairie State Legal Services, and the College of DuPage as well as the Clerk’s Office staff, volunteers and everyone who gave their time to make this clinic possible.