ILLINOIS

Pro Bono Center

116 N. Chestnut, Suite 220

Champaign, IL 61820

(217) 359-6811

Fax (217) 359-6804

e-mail: ipbc@soltec.net

Contact person: William D. McGrath

Executive Director

 

State Bar Staff

Bar Foundation Staff

• Other: Independent Nonprofit Staff

• State Support Program

State Support Function

Access to Justice Program

Statewide Direct Delivery

• Independent Program

None of the Above

 

The Illinois Pro Bono Center's mission is to increase the number of volunteer attorneys participating in local pro bono programs and to increase the number of programs serving low income clients. The Center coordinates activities of legal services and pro bono programs, local, state and specialty bar associations and law schools. The Center is active in the development of locally based pro bono programs and is available to assist with state pro bono projects, such as the Children's SSI Project and Disaster Assistance efforts. The Center is the only statewide entity devoted exclusively to the promotion, expansion and support of pro bono activity. The Illinois Pro Bono Center is a separate 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization. Its Board of Directors is appointed by the president of the Illinois State Bar Association and the third vice-president serves on the Board. The State Bar's president and executive director are ex officio members of the Board. The Center's executive director reports to the Board of Directors.

 

# of Active Lawyers 52,500

# of Lawyers Providing Pro Bono Service 6,627

# Pro Bono Programs 124

Poverty Population 1.6 million

# of Legal Services Programs 35-40

# of IOLTA Funded Programs 33

 

1995 Statewide IOLTA Revenue $2,316,546

Program Budget $150,000

Funding n/a

% of Funding paid by the Bar 10%

% of Funding paid by the IOLTA 30%

Other (foundations, filing fees, legal services 60%

private bar, bar groups)

 

Ethical Rules & Bar Resolutions

Policy on pro bono

4 state bar resolution

state supreme court ethical rule

rule similar to Revised ABA MR 6.1 (includes hours and categories)

pre 1993 version of ABA MR 6.1

4 no rule --statement in preamble only

Reporting of Pro Bono Activity

mandatory (___ under consideration)

voluntary ( 4 under consideration)

Activities

Communication

4 newsletter

4 media publicity

Recruitment

4 mass mailings to new admittees

work with individual law firms

4 bar event presentations

4 personal contacts/phone calls

phonathons

4 bar section or committee presentations/projects

Training

4 sponsor substantive legal training for volunteers

4 coordinate training programs for legal services providers

4 publish training materials

Coordination

4 assist development of local programs

4 coordinate activities with providers (i.e. training, recruitment)

4 state pro bono coordinator meetings

4 liaison with state bar foundation

 Technical Assistance

4 outreach to programs

4 sponsor state pro bono conference

provide technical assistance to:

law firms

corporate counsel

governmental attorney offices

Recognition

program awards

4 state bar sponsored awards

state bar foundation sponsored awards

personal letters

4 magazine/newsletter articles

4 honor roll

4 certificates

CLE vouchers/publications

Case Intake & Referral

direct case referrals to volunteers

4 case referral to pro bono programs

4 statewide or regional:

4 centralized intake

4 hotline

clinics

Legislative Work

involved in legislative advocacy

4 participate in state planning for legal services and pro bono

Staff State Bar or Access to Justice Committee

4 pro bono ethics rules/resolutions/reporting

4 delivery of legal services/legal aid

Access to Justice

Other ____________

Technology

4 web site www.soltec.net/ipbc

4 fax referrals

linkage between pro bono programs