On December 1, 2022, over 350 members of the Illinois legal community gathered together to celebrate PILI’s 45th Anniversary Awards Gala. The event was the culmination of the yearlong celebration of PILI’s 45th Anniversary in 2022 and was PILI’s most successful fundraiser in its history.
Thanks to the support of 64 law firms, corporations and law school sponsors as well as individual donors and supporters, we raised over $400,000 through the event to support PILI’s work to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice. We are incredibly grateful for the very generous and critically needed support from the Illinois legal community.
At the event, PILI also bestowed its four annual awards as follows:
- Distinguished Intern Alumni Award: Ruth Lopez-McCarthy, Senior Immigration Fellow at the State of Illinois
- Distinguished Fellow Alumni Award: Sabreena El-Amin, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General
- Pro Bono Initiative Award: Sidley Austin LLP
- Distinguished Public Service Award: Jose Rivero of Cullen, Haskins, Nicholson & Menchetti, P.C.
Learn more about this year’s recipients »
A video was shown at the event recalling PILI’s rich history and the impact of its work. You can view the video below or on PILI’s YouTube channel »
You can also view photos from the event here »
We also distributed our Year in Review at the event. PILI’s annual Year in Review details our work over the past year and highlights our many accomplishments in our work to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice. Read our 2022 Year in Review »
Additionally, in honor of PILI’s 45th anniversary, the Illinois House of Representatives adopted a resolution commending PILI for its dedication to serving those in need across Illinois. PILI is thankful to Representative Terra Costa Howard and the legislature for its recognition of the important role PILI plays in ensuring access to justice for all Illinoisans. Read the Resolution »
Thank you to all who joined us over the last year to celebrate PILI’s 45th anniversary and to all of those past, present and future who have been a critical part of our work to make equal access to justice a reality through a legal community with a deeply rooted culture of service, where pro bono and public interest law engagement is optimized to best serve people, families and communities in need.