Spotlight on Pro Bono: Celebrate Pro Bono Across Illinois October 19-25, 2025
By Abigail Causer, Attorney Program Manager, Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)
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. More information and resources from the ISBA on Pro Bono Week and pro bono in general can be found on the ISBA website.
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 (PILI), Prairie State Legal Services and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid. Visit the PILI website for an update to date listing of Pro Bono Week events. Advance registration is required for all events.
And what better way to celebrate pro bono than to do pro bono?! If you aren’t already connected with a legal service provider in your area, you can fill this form out and the ISBA will connect you soon.
Wednesday, October 15th
PILI’s Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Reception
The Twenty-Third 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 recipient of the pro bono service award. This event is co-sponsored by the DeKalb and Kendall County Bar Associations with additional support provided by the judiciary of the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit.
Thursday, October 16th
PILI’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Happy Hour
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and the McLean County Bar Association will co-host this Happy Hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. The Happy Hour is from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Elroy’s in Bloomington on Thursday, October 16th.
Monday, October 20th
PILI’s Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers. At this event, we will present the Tenth Judicial Circuit Joseph A. Dailing Pro Bono Service Award to one or more lawyers practicing in the Tenth Judicial Circuit who have provided outstanding pro bono services to low-income individuals and charitable organizations in the last year. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Renaissance Room at the Janssen Law Center in Peoria.
Tuesday, October 21st
PILI’s Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon
The Third 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. Illinois Supreme Court Justice David Overstreet will be our special guest speaker. The event is from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College in Edwardsville.
PILI’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
Join the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee as we 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 Twentieth Judicial Circuit. At the event, Land of Lincoln will present the Joseph Bartylak Pro Bono Award. The event is from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in Belleville.
Wednesday, October 22nd
PILI’s Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host 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 event will be held at the Danville Country Club. Our thanks to the law firm Huber & Mudd, LLC for co-sponsoring this event. This is a ticketed event.
Thursday, October 23rd
PILI's Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Reception
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 Service Award recipient. The reception will be held at the new DuPage County Animal Services Community Pavilion as part of the DuPage County Bar Association’s monthly Unwind Happy Hour.
Thursday, October 30th
PILI's Sixth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Happy Hour
Join the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee in partnership with the Champaign County Bar Association for a happy hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of our committee members and local pro bono volunteers. The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee’s Community Legal Services Award will be presented at this event.
Tuesday, November 4th
PILI’s First Judicial Circuit Happy Hour
The First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this happy hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. In addition to a brief program to acknowledge those providing pro bono legal services in the First Circuit, there will be ample opportunity to network and socialize with colleagues from the local legal community. This event is being co-sponsored by ISBA Mutual, Jackson County Bar Association and Williamson County Bar Association.
Thursday, November 13th
PILI’s Second Judicial Circuit Dinner
Join the Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee 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 Second Judicial Circuit. This dinner will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13th. PILI will provide appetizers and the first round, and attendees will be responsible for the cost of their main course.