PILI is pleased to share that, as of January 2026, we have received renewed and increased funding from several longtime foundation partners. We are deeply grateful for their continued investment in PILI’s mission to engage, inspire, and empower those advancing equal access to justice across Illinois.
PILI is grateful to the Francis Beidler Foundation for its renewed grant support of $13,000, which will support general operating expenses and a PILI Named Law Student Internship, the Alfred C. Tisdahl Memorial Internship. A longtime supporter of PILI, the Beidler Foundation’s continued commitment helps sustain both our organizational capacity and our Law Student Internship Program, strengthening the pipeline of future public interest attorneys.
PILI has also received renewed funding of $25,000 from the Robert Gallagher Foundation to support PILI’s Law Student Internship Program. This generous support will help fully fund two paid Internship opportunities for current law students committed to public interest law and pro bono service. The Robert E. Gallagher Charitable Trust honors the legacy of Robert E. Gallagher, a distinguished leader in the insurance industry and a committed philanthropist. Mr. Gallagher served as CEO of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. until 1995 and remained Chairman until his death in 2006. He was the father of Anne Gallagher O’Malley, wife of longtime PILI board member and current Life Director Richard F. O’Malley, Jr. PILI is sincerely grateful for the Trust’s continued support of our mission.
In addition, PILI is thrilled to announce renewed and increased support from the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois (LTF) through a two-year grant totaling $670,000, or $335,000 per year. This funding includes $212,000 per year to support PILI’s Pro Bono Program and $123,000 per year to support PILI’s Law Student Internship Program. LTF’s continued investment allows PILI to sustain and strengthen its Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees and Law Student Internship Program while expanding opportunities to engage donors in supporting Named or Honorary Internships. We are deeply grateful to LTF, the state’s largest funder of civil legal aid, for its leadership and partnership in advancing access to justice.
Finally, PILI is grateful for the Diversity Scholarship Foundation for its renewed support that will fund a Spring Semester 2026 Law Student Intern. The Foundation was established by a group of attorneys and judges committed to the ideal that diverse law school student bodies are a means of ensuring further diversification in the legal community. To fulfill its mission, the Foundation seeks to financially assist underprivileged and under-represented minorities in attending law school by offering them scholarships. PILI appreciates the generosity of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation in sponsoring this Internship and their support of PILI.
Together, this renewed funding ensures PILI can continue to support aspiring public interest attorneys, strengthen pro bono infrastructure across Illinois, and advance equal access to justice statewide. We are incredibly thankful for the trust and continued partnership of these foundations.