PILI's Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees strive to increase equal access to justice by promoting and enhancing pro bono legal services within a specific judicial circuit by:

• Raising awareness of the need for free or low-cost legal services;
• Identifying and reducing barriers to providing free or low-cost legal services;
• Promoting pro bono legal services and recruiting attorneys and legal professionals to participate in existing pro bono programs;
• Identifying gaps in the delivery of legal services to low-income individuals and families and developing innovative approaches to filling those gaps through pro bono; and
• Recognizing the pro bono contributions of attorneys and legal professionals.

Each Committee consists of members of the judiciary as well as pro bono leaders from local law firms, corporations, bar associations, and public interest law organizations. All of the Committees differ in size and their goals vary depending on the local make-up of the circuit.

PILI has launched Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees in the following circuits. Follow the link to learn more about each Committee, the membership, current projects and upcoming events within the circuit:

First Circuit »
Second Circuit »
Third Circuit »
Fifth Circuit »
Sixth Circuit »
Tenth Circuit »
Eleventh Circuit »
Fourteenth Circuit »
Eighteenth Circuit »
Twentieth Circuit »
Twenty-Third Circuit »

PILI’s Pro Bono Pledge is being launched through our Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees, in recognition of the responsibility of all members of the legal profession – from corporate lawyers to law firm lawyers to solo practitioners to legal staff – to increase access to our legal system. The Pledge has been launched in the Third, Fifth, Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh and Fourteenth Judicial Circuits.

For more information about PILI's Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committees, contact PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann by email or by phone at 312-832-5129.

Upcoming Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Events:

• DuPage Expungement Clinic

  July 30th, 2022 - 9:00 am, at DuPage County Administration Building
  The DuPage Expungement Clinic will provide free legal assistance to individuals seeking to clear their criminal record. Volunteers will consult with participants on available options for relief, prepare petitions to expunge and/or seal eligible records, and provide guidance on navigating the process from start to finish.

• Eleventh Judicial Circuit Legal Advice Fair

  September 24th, 2022 - 8:45 am, at Mid Central Community Action
  PILI is organizing this Legal Advice Fair in Bloomington, where volunteer attorneys will be available to give one-time legal advice concerning family issues, housing disputes, debt concerns and more.

• Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon

  October 18th, 2022 - 11:45 am, at Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College
  The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. The Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon will be held on October 18, 2022 in Edwardsville.

• Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Spirit of Pro Bono Breakfast

  October 24th, 2022 - 8:30 am, at DuPage Judicial Center - Attorney Resource Center
  The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Pro Bono Services award recipient. The event will be held on Monday, October 24th at 8:30 a.m. at the ARC.

• Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 24th, 2022 - 5:30 pm, at TBD
  The Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate its Pro Bono Service Award Recipient. The event will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022.

• Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Week Dinner

  October 25th, 2022 - 5:30 pm, at Mattoon Country Club
  The Fifth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and to celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award Recipients. This in-person event will be held on Tuesday, October 25th at Mattoon Country Club at 5:30 p.m.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit CLE & Awards Presentation

  October 27th, 2022 - 11:45 am, at Regent Ballroom
  The Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this CLE program at which it will also commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and to celebrate the Community Legal Services Award recipient. This program will be held on Thursday, October 27th beginning at 11:45 a.m.