Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)

Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) PILI engages, inspires and empowers those advancing equal access to justice.

It was great to bring together members of the Peoria pro bono community last week for the Pro Bono Spring Social hosted ...
06/05/2026

It was great to bring together members of the Peoria pro bono community last week for the Pro Bono Spring Social hosted in partnership with the Tenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee (JCPBC) and the Peoria County Bar Association (PCBA) Pro Bono Committee.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration of volunteer service. We’re grateful for the continued commitment of lawyers and advocates working to expand access to justice throughout the Tenth Judicial Circuit. ⚖️

Special thanks to Judge Wilson, Chair of the Tenth JCPBC, for sharing brief remarks during the event, and to Hasselberg Grebe Snodgrass Urban & Wentworth for generously providing refreshments for attendees.

06/04/2026

Today, at the Supreme Court of Illinois Building in Springfield, Perry J. Browder of Alton was sworn in as the 150th President of the Illinois State Bar Association. As he begins his term, President Browder brings a distinguished record of leadership, service to the profession, and dedication to the rule of law. ⚖️

Congratulations to President Browder on this historic milestone. We look forward to his leadership and vision for the year ahead!

Join us in St. Louis at as we welcome Perry Browder as the 2026–27 President of the Illinois State Bar Association. 🔗 isba.org/annual

Simmons Hanly Conroy

📷: Kari Bedford Photography

This Tuesday, PILI welcomed the Summer 2026 class of Law Student Interns and Graduate Fellows for our Summer Educational...
06/04/2026

This Tuesday, PILI welcomed the Summer 2026 class of Law Student Interns and Graduate Fellows for our Summer Educational Seminar Series Orientation!

Participants gathered in person and virtually to begin a summer dedicated to advancing access to justice through public interest law and pro bono service. A highlight of the day was PILI's Self-Represented Litigant (SRL) Simulation, which challenged participants to navigate the civil legal system from the perspective of individuals facing poverty, housing insecurity, and other barriers to justice.

Together, this year's Interns and Fellows will provide an estimated 39,700 hours of legal assistance to communities across Illinois.

Read more about Orientation and the next generation of public interest leaders: https://buff.ly/5t7ZCDn

⚖️ June Is Full of Opportunities to Learn, Serve & Connect!Join PILI this month for educational programs, volunteer oppo...
06/02/2026

⚖️ June Is Full of Opportunities to Learn, Serve & Connect!

Join PILI this month for educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and one of our signature annual events. Whether you're a law student, legal aid professional, pro bono volunteer, or member of the PILI community, there's something for you. ⬇️

📅 June 15 — Rule 711 and Courtroom Supervision
Learn how supervisors can effectively guide and support interns using a Rule 711 license in court. (Virtual)
🔗 Register: https://buff.ly/qLg7mNE

🤝 June 17 — PILI Alumni, Interns & Fellows Volunteer Opportunity
Volunteer alongside fellow members of the PILI community at The Sharehouse and make a direct impact while building connections.
🔗 Register: https://buff.ly/0MQgmWM

💻 June 18 — Pro Bono CLE Series: AI Tools and Technology for Legal Aid and Pro Bono
Explore practical uses of AI, ethical considerations, and emerging technologies shaping legal aid and pro bono work. (Virtual)
🔗 Register: https://buff.ly/tal3CtN

🥂 June 24 — Annual Pro Bono Reception
Celebrate the inspiring pro bono work being done across Illinois, honor members of the Pro Bono Honor Roll and Recognition Roster, and connect with leaders from across the legal community.
🔗 Register: https://buff.ly/M6R27j8

We hope to see you at one—or all—of these upcoming events!

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Alondra Duenas Avila to the PILI team!Alondra joins PILI as our Intake & Program Support A...
06/01/2026

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Alondra Duenas Avila to the PILI team!

Alondra joins PILI as our Intake & Program Support Associate, where she supports PILI's Pro Bono Program through client intake and referral services, program administration, and volunteer support.

Prior to joining PILI, Alondra served as a Legal Assistant with Alianza Hispanoamericana NFP and worked with Northern Illinois University's Undocumented Student Resource Center, supporting immigrant and underserved communities through outreach, advocacy, and educational programming.

Alondra brings a strong commitment to service and expanding access to legal resources. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and holds a BA in Communication from Northern Illinois University.

We're excited to have Alondra on board and look forward to the impact she will make across Illinois.

Welcome to the team, Alondra! 👏

Read more: https://buff.ly/lY82B7x

Please join us in welcoming Saffron Mears to PILI as our summer Law Student Intern!Saffron is a J.D. Candidate at the Un...
05/27/2026

Please join us in welcoming Saffron Mears to PILI as our summer Law Student Intern!

Saffron is a J.D. Candidate at the University of Wisconsin Law School and will be supporting PILI’s Pro Bono Program this summer. Through her work with PILI, she will help advance PILI’s work to expand access to justice and strengthen pro bono service throughout Illinois.

Saffron is passionate about public interest law and serving the community through accessible legal services, and we are excited to have her join our team this summer.

Welcome to PILI, Saffron—we're glad you're here! 🎉

How do we measure the impact of law student pro bono programs in an ever-changing landscape?Join PILI's Law School Pro B...
05/27/2026

How do we measure the impact of law student pro bono programs in an ever-changing landscape?

Join PILI's Law School Pro Bono Roundtable this July as law school pro bono leaders come together to share best practices, discuss successful strategies, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

This year's conversation will focus on measuring impact for both students and the communities they serve, identifying tools and metrics that support long-term program sustainability, and strengthening alumni engagement in pro bono service.

We look forward to bringing together pro bono leaders committed to expanding access to justice and preparing the next generation of public interest advocates.

Learn more and register today: https://buff.ly/ytKRaBQ

Join us one month from today for PILI's Annual Pro Bono Reception!On June 24, legal professionals, law students, judges,...
05/26/2026

Join us one month from today for PILI's Annual Pro Bono Reception!

On June 24, legal professionals, law students, judges, and access-to-justice advocates from across Illinois will come together to celebrate the inspiring and life-changing pro bono work being done throughout our state.

During the evening, we will recognize those named to the 2026 Pro Bono Volunteer Honor Roll and Pro Bono Recognition Roster while enjoying networking, drinks, and appetizers with members of Illinois' legal community.

Whether you're a longtime supporter of PILI or looking to connect with others committed to expanding access to justice, we hope you'll join us at the Ivy Room in Chicago on June 24 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

🎟️ Purchase tickets today: https://buff.ly/i8uTtB0

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave service members who gave their lives in service to our nation.
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor the brave service members who gave their lives in service to our nation.

05/22/2026

Meet Leah Barry, PILI's Spring Intern at Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)! 🌟

“I believe legal advocacy is key to combating systemic inequality, which is why I’m committed to public interest and pro bono work. The highlight of my PILI Internship has been the opportunity to develop practical tools that expand access to justice for underserved communities, as well as the chance to learn from incredible mentors at ILAO.”

We’re grateful for her dedication to public interest law and her commitment to expanding access to justice!

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105 West Madison Street, Suite 610
Chicago, IL
60602

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Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

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+13128325127

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