One year ago today, Illinois took an important step toward expanding access to justice by encouraging greater participation in pro bono service.
On July 1, 2025, the Illinois Supreme Court’s MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Program officially launched, allowing eligible attorneys to earn one hour of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit for every two hours of qualifying pro bono service completed through Illinois Free Legal Answers, up to five MCLE credit hours per reporting period.
Administered in Illinois by the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), Illinois Free Legal Answers is a virtual legal advice portal that connects income-eligible Illinois residents with volunteer attorneys who provide brief legal guidance on civil legal matters—all online and on their own schedule.
Over the past year, the pilot program has provided attorneys with an additional incentive to volunteer while helping more Illinois residents receive answers to pressing civil legal questions. By making pro bono service more flexible and accessible, Illinois Free Legal Answers continues to demonstrate that meaningful legal assistance can be delivered wherever attorneys have an internet connection and a few minutes to help.
As we celebrate the program’s first anniversary, there is even more reason to recognize its impact.
Beginning today, July 1, 2026, newly-admitted Illinois attorneys are also eligible to participate in the MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Program following amendments to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 795(d)(14). Previously, newly-admitted attorneys had to wait until entering their first two-year MCLE reporting period before becoming eligible. This amendment allows them to begin earning MCLE credit through qualifying pro bono service immediately, helping build a lifelong commitment to public service from the very beginning of their legal careers.
“We are thrilled to see newly-admitted attorneys included in the MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Program,” said PILI Executive Director Michael G. Bergmann when the amendment was announced. “This amendment creates an additional pathway for new lawyers to gain meaningful experience while helping expand access to legal assistance for Illinois residents in need.”
The first anniversary of Illinois’ MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Program comes at a time of another major milestone for the ABA Free Legal Answers network. In June 2026, the American Bar Association announced that volunteer attorneys across the country have now answered more than 500,000 civil legal questions through ABA Free Legal Answers since the platform launched in 2016. The achievement highlights the growing impact of virtual pro bono service and the critical role volunteer attorneys play in helping close the justice gap.
Illinois is proud to be part of that nationwide effort. Through Illinois Free Legal Answers, volunteer attorneys continue to provide trusted legal guidance to income-eligible Illinois residents facing civil legal issues, making access to justice more accessible one question at a time. The site remains one of the easiest ways for attorneys to make a meaningful difference. Volunteers choose when and where they participate, answer only the questions they feel comfortable addressing, and provide brief legal advice that can have a lasting impact on someone navigating a civil legal issue.
One year after the pilot program began, its purpose remains as important as ever: strengthening access to justice while making pro bono service more accessible to attorneys across Illinois.
Whether you’re an experienced attorney or newly admitted to the Illinois Bar, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
Get Involved
Whether you’re an experienced attorney or newly admitted to the Illinois Bar, Illinois Free Legal Answers offers a flexible, meaningful way to provide pro bono service. Volunteer attorneys decide when they participate, choose the questions they want to answer, and can provide legal guidance from anywhere with an internet connection.
By volunteering through Illinois Free Legal Answers, attorneys can:
- Expand access to justice for Illinois residents.
- Earn MCLE credit through the Illinois Supreme Court’s MCLE for Pro Bono Pilot Program.
- Gain experience across a variety of civil legal issues while making a meaningful difference in someone’s life.
Join hundreds of volunteer attorneys who are helping strengthen access to justice in Illinois → Learn more about becoming an Illinois Free Legal Answers volunteer.