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:

• Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 11th, 2023 - 5:30 pm, at Deere & Company World Headquarters
  Hosted and sponsored by Deere & Company, the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee is having a Reception to celebrate Pro Bono Week.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour

  October 12th, 2023 - 4:30 pm, at Bunny's Tavern
  Join the Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee in partnership with the Champaign County Bar Association for a happy hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of our committee members and local pro bono volunteers. 

• Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Week Dinner

  October 18th, 2023 - 5:30 pm, at Danville 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 Wednesday, October 18th at 5:30 p.m. at Danville Country Club.

• Second Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Dinner

  October 19th, 2023 - 4:00 pm, at Rare Chop House
  The Second Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this dinner to commemorate Pro Bono Week and a chance for committee members or attorneys in the area to get together in person.

• Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 23rd, 2023 - 5:30 pm, at Renaissance Room at the Janssen Law Center
  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. Advance registration is required.

• Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon

  October 24th, 2023 - 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 and recognize the efforts local pro bono volunteers and supporters. The Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon will be held on October 24, 2023 in Edwardsville.

• First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Celebration: Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic

  October 25th, 2023 - 12:00 pm, at SIU Carbondale School of Law Courtroom 108
  The First Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. This event will include a 0.5 hour CLE program followed by a reception to celebrate pro bono service of local attorneys.

• Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 25th, 2023 - 5:00 pm, at MG+M The Law Firm
  The Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers.

• Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 26th, 2023 - 5:30 pm, at Woodside Pavilion at Cantigny Golf.
  The Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to as part of the DCBA Unwind Happy Hour to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers and celebrate the Pro Bono Service Award recipient.

• Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Week Event

  October 26th, 2023 - 5:30 pm, at Old Oaks Winery
  ABOUT THE 2023 EVENT The Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, in partnership with Rock Island County Bar Association, will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts of local pro bono volunteers whose work has helped to expand and enhance access to justice in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. As part of...

• Eleventh Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  November 8th, 2023 - 5:30 pm, at Bell Tower Room at Epiphany Farms Restaurant
  The Eleventh Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers in increasing access to justice. This event begins at 5:30 in the Bell Tower Room at Epiphany Farms in Bloomington.

• Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Clinic & Reception

  November 9th, 2023 - 4:30 pm, at Fatty's Pub & Grille
  The Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week with attendees answering civil legal questions through Illinois Free Legal Answers.