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 »
Nineteenth Circuit »
Twentieth Circuit »
Twenty-Third Circuit »

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:

• NIU Illinois Free Legal Answers Clinic & Happy Hour

  October 1st, 2026 - 4:30 pm, at Fatty's Pub & Grille
  PILI's Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and Northern Illinois University College of Law are organizing this event for attorneys and NIU law students to jointly answer questions on Illinois Free Legal Answers.

• Eleventh Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono CLE Seminar

  October 6th, 2026 - 12:00 pm, at McLean County Law and Justice Center
  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.

• Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 15th, 2026 - 5:30 pm, at DuPage County Historical Museum
  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.

• Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon

  October 20th, 2026 - 11:45 am, at Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College
  The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host its Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon on October 20, 2026 in Edwardsville to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts local pro bono volunteers and supporters.

• Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 20th, 2026 - 4:30 pm, at Bennie's Pizza Pub
  The Twentieth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this event to commemorate Pro Bono Week, recognize the commitment of local pro bono volunteers.

• Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour

  October 22nd, 2026 - 4:30 pm, at Blind Pig Brew Pub
  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. 

• DeKalb & Kane County Criminal Records Relief Clinic – Volunteer Sign Up

  October 23rd, 2026 - 1:00 pm, at Gail Borden Public Library, Main Library
  Volunteer with PILI's Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and Prairie State Legal Services for an Expungement Clinic that will provide free legal assistance to individuals seeking to clear their criminal records.

• Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 26th, 2026 - 5:00 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.

• Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Breakfast

  October 27th, 2026 - 8:00 am, at Lake County Courthouse
  The Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee will host this inaugural event on October 27th at the Lake County Courthouse to commemorate Pro Bono Week and recognize the efforts local pro bono volunteers and supporters.

• Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception

  October 28th, 2026 - 4:30 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.

• First Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Happy Hour

  October 29th, 2026 - 4:30 pm, at The Turn Restaurant & Lounge
  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.