PILI has recently received renewed funding from several funders. We are so grateful for their continued support of PILI’s mission to engage, inspire and empower those advancing equal access to justice.
DuPage Bar Foundation
The DuPage Bar Foundation has granted PILI $1,500 to support both the Pro Bono Program and Law Student Internship Program in DuPage County. The DuPage Bar Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the DuPage County Bar Association providing charitable contributions, law school scholarships, opportunities for community service and assistance for members in need.
Illinois Access to Justice
PILI is thankful for the support in the increased amount of $127,174 from Illinois Access to Justice for PILI’s statewide Pro Bono Program. Illinois Access to Justice is a state-wide grant program that seeks to mitigate the devasting consequences of all forms of detention and incarceration, resulting in crippling effects on historically marginalized communities. PILI uses pro bono legal services to fill gaps in the availability of civil legal aid for low-income Illinoisans, including individuals and families impacted by incarceration who have nowhere else to turn for help. Through an innovative range of pro bono opportunities, we engage volunteers to meet unmet legal needs across the state.
Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN)
PILI is grateful to the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation for their increased grant of $50,000 to support PILI’s ongoing participation in the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN). IL-AFLAN provides civil legal services across Illinois to veterans, active-duty military, their spouses, and dependents. Through IL-AFLAN, PILI is responsible for accepting referrals through the Network and placing them with pro bono attorneys in 101 counties in Illinois, excluding Cook County. PILI recruits volunteer attorneys, provides training and support, and offers malpractice coverage.
Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division
PILI received renewed support of $6,500 from the ISBA YLD Children’s Assistance Fund to support the ISBA YLD Named Law Student Intern in Summer 2025. Through this fund, the ISBA YLD, in concert with the Illinois Bar Foundation, seeks to provide grants to organizations across the state related to children and law. PILI is grateful to the ISBA YLD for its longtime support of PILI and our Law Student Internship Program.
Jerome Mirza Foundation
The Jerome Mirza Foundation renewed its grant to PILI $35,000 to support our efforts to expand and enhance public interest law and pro bono service in Illinois outside of Chicago. Jerome Mirza, a 1963 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, was a leader in the field of trial advocacy and in the legal profession throughout his long career. This grant supports PILI’s Law Student Internship Program across the state, as well as the work of our Pro Bono Program to promote and expand pro bono across Illinois.
Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois
In addition to its regular funding of PILI, the Lawyers Trust Fund (LTF) approved a grant for PILI in the amount of $60,000 as part of its 2025-2026 Strategic Opportunity Grant. The grants are intended to support projects or purposes in three broad categories related to LTF’s strategic objectives for strengthening the legal aid system in Illinois: Community Justice Initiatives, Justice Innovation Initiatives, and Organizational Development. PILI is extremely grateful to LTF for its substantial support of PILI and our work.
Polk Bros. Foundation
PILI is grateful to the Polk Bros Foundation for its two-year grant totaling $77,000. This grant continues the Polk Bros. Foundation’s longstanding support of our Law Student Internship Program. PILI is so thankful to the Polk Bros Foundation for its generous support of PILI and the Law Student Internship Program.
Thank you to these and all of our supporters!