The Illinois State Bar Association’s successful outreach to its congressional delegation on such key legal issues as student loan forgiveness, tort and bankruptcy reform, and funding of Legal Services Corporation was recognized this week in Washington, as the ISBA picked up the “ABA Day Grassroots Award.” The bar was honored for its effectiveness in lobbying Congress on behalf of issues of concern to the justice system. The awards’ committee specially noted the versatility and responsiveness of ISBA Executive Director Robert Craghead and Governmental Affairs Director Jim Covington when the voice of state bar associations is needed on Capitol Hill. The association was one of two to receive this year’s award for state organizations. The grassroots award was given in conjunction with ABA Day, a series of Capitol Hill events sponsored by the American Bar Association designed to involve the American legal community in improving access to justice. Hundreds of leaders from bar associations coast-to-coast convened for the meeting.