The Illinois Judges Association has established a foundation to provide support for educational and charitable initiatives that benefit its members and the public.

Appellate Justice Mary Jane W. Theis of Chicago, a past president of the IJA and the Appellate Lawyers Association, has been elected president of the IJA Foundation.

Other judges who are officers are Vice Presidents Barbara Crowder of Edwardsville, Jesse G. Reyes of Chicago and Barbara Gilleran Johnson of Long Grove; Secretary Michael B. Hyman of Chicago, and Treasurer Stephen C. Mathers of Galesburg.

“The foundation will be able to fund many of the projects that so many of you have worked on without the necessary financial support,” Theis said in a letter to the membership.

She added that the foundation board will look for avenues through which it “can promote the public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.”

Initial funding for the foundation was contributed by the IJA, and individual members are being asked to consider making donations. “The board is ready to begin, and we hope that you will be supportive as well,” Theis told judges in her letter. For details, e-mail info@ija.org.