In celebration of Law Day, PILI hosted several Legal Answers Pro Bono Clinics to train lawyers on how to answer civil legal questions posted on Illinois Legal Aid Online’s Legal Answers website. These events were held in coordination with the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Law Day celebration.
In total, 27 volunteers answered 49 questions on the site. “We were thrilled to be able to help those in need with their legal questions,” said Michael Bergmann, PILI’s Executive Director. “And we are incredibly grateful to the volunteers who helped in this effort.”
Legal Answers is a secure website (IL.freelegalanswers.org) where lower-income Illinois residents can ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue. Qualified users post questions about civil legal problems. Volunteer lawyers then log onto the site and select questions to answer. It’s like a virtual walk-in legal clinic.
Several of PILI Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees hosted these clinics around Law Day to help those in need.
On April 29th, the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosted a clinic at the DuPage Judicial Center. This program was co-sponsored by the American Bar Association, DuPage County Bar Association Public Interest and Education Commission and Illinois Legal Aid Online.
On May 3rd, the Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosted a clinic at the Coles County Courthouse. This program was co-sponsored by the American Bar Association, Coles-Cumberland Bar Association and Illinois Legal Aid Online.
On May 7th, the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee hosted at clinic at Deere & Company World Headquarters. This program was co-sponsored by the American Bar Association, Illinois Legal Aid Online and the Rock Island County Bar Association.
After these events, one volunteer reported, “One of the questions I answered during the event (and have been following up on since) was just granted a divorce today after being pending for over two years. This was a great result and allows this woman to move forward with her wedding plans. Thanks for the encouragement, opportunity, and instruction.”
Learn more about our Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees »
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