PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEAVING ORGANIZATION  January 11, 2006 

Rockford, IL - - Joseph A. Dailing, Executive Director of Prairie State Legal Services, has announced his resignation to accept a new position as the Executive Director of the Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice.  The Coalition has offices in Rockford and Chicago. 

Dailing has served as Prairie State’s Executive Director since its beginning in 1977.  During his time as director, Prairie State Legal Services has grown from a four-office legal aid program serving nine counties to an eleven-office legal aid program serving thirty-six counties in northern and central Illinois.  Prairie State’s budget in 1977 was $750,000.  Its current budget is $6.4 million with a staff of 97 employees.

Michael O’Connor, currently Managing Attorney of Prairie State’s Kankakee office, will succeed Dailing.  O’Connor will become the new director effective January 16^th.  He has worked for Prairie State for sixteen years.   He will be re-locating to the Administrative Office in Rockford.

Prairie State Legal Services is the federally-funded civil legal services provider for thirty-six counties in northern and central Illinois outside of Cook County.  Prairie State staff and volunteers provide representation and legal advice to low-income and elderly clients from eleven offices in Batavia, Bloomington, Carol Stream, Galesburg, Kankakee, Ottawa, Peoria, Rockford, Rock Island, Waukegan and Woodstock.  Will County Legal Assistance Program in Joliet is also affiliated with Prairie State Legal Services