PILI is very grateful to the following foundations for their renewed support of our work!
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE ILLINOIS COURTS
PILI is excited to announce renewed and increased funding from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in the amount of $20,000. This grant will support outreach to courts across the state to increase awareness and use of Illinois Free Legal Answers and Illinois Free Legal Answers for Civil Appeals. Illinois Free Legal Answers for Civil Appeals is a virtual legal advice clinic for legal issues where low-income Illinoisans who are self-represented can submit a question about their civil appeal. This program is the only appellate-specific help desk in Illinois to assist self-represented litigants with their civil appeal.
FRANCIS BEIDLER FOUNDATION
The Francis Beidler Foundation granted PILI $6,500 to support general operating expenses. This is in addition to the $9,500 the Foundation granted in support of general operations and $6,000 to fund the Alfred C. Tisdahl Memorial Internship in December. A longtime supporter of PILI, the Francis Beidler Foundation funds the Alfred C. Tisdahl Memorial Internship to honor the memory of prominent Chicago litigator Alfred C. Tisdahl, who died in 2000.
ILLINOIS ACCESS TO JUSTICE
PILI is thrilled to announce the increased support from Illinois Access to Justice, a state-wide program that seeks to mitigate the devasting consequences of all forms of detention and incarceration, resulting in crippling effects on historically marginalized communities. This support in the amount of $94,200 is for PILI’s statewide Pro Bono Program. 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 legal services and 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 renewed $42,500 grant 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.
JEROME MIRZA FOUNDATION
The Jerome Mirza Foundation has granted PILI $30,000 to support our efforts to promote public interest law and pro bono services 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 renewed grant supports PILI’s Law Student Internship Program across the state, as well as the work or our Pro Bono Program to promote and expand pro bono across Illinois.