The National Celebration of Pro Bono, held annually in October, recognizes the importance of pro bono work and honors the attorneys who dedicate their time and talent to serving their communities.
The 2026 Pro Bono Week theme is “Serving Justice, Strengthening Democracy.” The theme “recognizes the essential role pro bono attorneys play in ensuring that legal problems do not prevent people from participating fully in civic life,” according to the ABA.
The ARDC reported that Illinois lawyers put that commitment into action in 2025, providing 1,720,775 hours of pro bono service.
Connect with your local pro bono community and find opportunities to get involved through the 2026 Pro Bono Week events happening across Illinois.
Thursday, October 15
Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton
Tuesday, October 20
Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Luncheon
11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Leclaire Room at Lewis and Clark Community College, 600 Troy Rd., Edwardsville
Twentieth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Bennie’s Pizza Pub, 113 E. Main St., Belleville
Thursday, October 22
Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Blind Pig Brew Pub, 301 N. Neil St., #101, Champaign
Monday, October 26
Tenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
5 to 7 p.m.
Renaissance Room at the Janssen Law Center, 333 Main St., Peoria
Story Slam
6 to 9 p.m.
Hopewell Brewing, 2760 N. Milwaukee Aves, Chicago
Tuesday, October 27
Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Breakfast
8 to 9 a.m.
Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County St., Waukegan
Pro Bono with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services: Probating a Property with a Deceased Borrower
12 to 1:30 p.m.
Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago
How to Change the World: Documentary Screening, Panel, & Reception
4 to 6 p.m.
Dentons US LLP, 233 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 5900, Chicago
Wednesday, October 30
Fifth Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Mattoon Country Club, 6700 N. Country Club Rd., Mattoon
Thursday, October 29
First Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Happy Hour
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The Turn Restaurant & Lounge, 1527 Champions Dr., Marion
Pro Bono Fair
5 to 7 p.m.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, 320 S. Canal St., Chicago
Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono Reception
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The Oaks Grille, 2245 Kennedy Rd., Bristol
Friday, October 30
Breakfast with the Judges
8 to 9:15 a.m.
Downtown Chicago (location available upon registration)
Did we miss any events? Please email us at mail@2civility.org.
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