By Michael Bergmann, Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative

Save the date for another Pro Bono Week celebration! 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. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America’s lawyers and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. 

The ISBA has commemorated this national celebration each year by encouraging its members to perform pro bono and by recognizing those who meet the call. This year, members of the ISBA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services also recorded special video messages to celebrate Pro Bono Week and to promote pro bono. More information and resources from the ISBA on Pro Bono Week and pro bono in general can be found at www.isba.org/probono.  

Additionally, several years ago, the ISBA launched its Pro Bono Partner initiative, through which members commit to: (1) seek out the local pro bono legal services being supplied to individuals or charitable, religious or civic organizations in their community; (2) attend or support a recognition ceremony for those who participate in pro bono services in their community; (3) consider attending a training provided to lawyers who provide pro bono services; and (4) commit to joining the efforts to increase access to the legal system. You can learn more about this initiative at www.isba.org/probono/partner. 

In Illinois, there are a variety of organizations that plan events to celebrate the lifechanging pro bono work being done across our state. Some of those events are detailed below and organized by the Public Interest Law Initiative, Prairie State Legal Services and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid.
 

Monday, October 25

PILI’s Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Virtual Event 
The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. The celebration video will premier on Monday, October 25th at 12:00 p.m.

Virtual Awards Presentation: Prairie State Legal Services’ 2021 Outstanding Pro Bono Community Honorees
Join Prairie State Legal Services at noon as they premier short videos that highlight the great work and dedication of their volunteers from across the state.
 

Tuesday, October 26

PILI’s Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Virtual Event
The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. The celebration video will premier on Tuesday, October 26th at 12:00 p.m.

Virtual Awards Presentation: Prairie State Legal Services’ 2021 2021 Distinguished Pro Bono Advocacy Award — Individual
Join Prairie State Legal Services at noon as they premier short videos that highlight the great work and dedication of their volunteers from across the state.

Wednesday, October 27

PILI’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Virtual Event
The Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Land of Lincoln Pro Bono Award recipient. The celebration video will premier on Wednesday, October 27th at 12:00 p.m.

Virtual Awards Presentation: Prairie State Legal Services’ 2021 2021 Distinguished Pro Bono Advocacy Award — Corporation
Join Prairie State Legal Services at noon as they premier short videos that highlight the great work and dedication of their volunteers from across the state.

PILI’s First Judicial Circuit Celebrate the Pro Bono Virtual CLE
The First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this CLE program as part of the Pro Bono Week celebration to increase awareness about the need for pro bono legal services and how volunteers can help in the First Judicial Circuit. This event is a virtual/live CLE program that will begin at 4:00 p.m.

PILI’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Celebrate Virtual/Live Reception
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. This event is a virtual/live reception that will begin at 4:30.
 

Thursday, October 28

PILI’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Virtual Event
The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Pro Bono Services award recipient. The celebration video will premier on Thursday, October 28th at 12:00 p.m. 

PILI’s Sixth Judicial Circuit Virtual/Live CLE & Awards Presentation
The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will co-host this CLE program with the Champaign County Bar Association and the Decatur Bar Association. The event will commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Community Legal Services Award recipient. This is a virtual/live event on Thursday, October 28th at 12:00 p.m.

Prairie State Legal Services CLE Simulation: Navigating the Courts Alone
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to navigate the courts without an attorney? Join Prairie State Legal Services for a virtual interactive training exercise where you will step into the shoes of a single parent going to court alone to defend against an eviction. During the simulation, you will navigate
several interrelated systems including the court, legal aid, public benefits, and housing. Advance registration is required and attorneys will earn 1.5 hours of MCLE credit (professionalism credit pending approval). This CLE will be held from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. virtually.

PILI’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Bono Week Dinner 
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosts this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and to celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award Recipients. This in-person event will be held on Thursday, October 28th at Danville Country Club at 5:30 p.m.
 

Friday, October 29

2021 Pro Bono Week Wrap Up - Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
On Friday, October 29th, PILI will wrap up its 2021 Pro Bono Week celebration with a special video presentation.

Thursday, November 4

PILI’s Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception 
The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, in partnership with the Rock Island County Bar Association, will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers whose work has helped to expand and enhance access to justice in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. This in-person event will be held beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Oakwood Country Club.
 

Visit www.pili.org/pro-bono-week to learn more about or to register to attend any of these events, or to learn more about PILI’s Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees. Information about the Illinois Pro Bono Pledge, which has been launched in five of these Judicial Circuits and has over 120 signatories statewide, can be found at www.ILProBonoPledge.org. You may also contact PILI Managing Attorney Jessica Schneider at jschneider@pili.org or 312-832-5125.

Want to do a little pro bono to celebrate Pro Bono Week? The Illinois Bar Foundation has been a seminal supporter of Illinois Free Legal Answers. Administered in Illinois by PILI, Illinois Free Legal Answers is a secure website where lower income Illinois residents can ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. Qualified users post questions about civil legal problems then volunteer lawyers log onto the site – pro bono anytime and anywhere you can access the website - and select questions to answer. It’s a virtual walk-in legal clinic and a great bite sized pro bono opportunity. Log on to il.freelegalanswers.org today, sign up and get started!