2026 Pro Bono Celebrations
Throughout the past month, PSLS has joined in pro bono celebrations throughout our service area.
On Tuesday, October 6, Pro Bono Coordinator Stacy James attended the 11th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee luncheon and CLE presentation. Attendees learned how to handle a guardianship case from start to finish, preparing pro bono volunteers to take on these cases.
On Thursday, October 15, Director of Pro Bono Services Kim Thielbar and Pro Bono Supervising Attorney Cindy Matre attended a luncheon celebrating the law department at McDonald’s and their over 25 years of doing pro bono. PSLS has partnered with McDonald’s since 2016 to provide pro bono advice to clients facing housing issues.
(L-R): Cindy Matre, Kim Thielbar, May Sethaphanich
On Thursday, October 15, Director of Pro Bono Services Kim Thielbar, Pro Bono Supervising Attorney Cindy Matre, Pro Bono Coordinator Erin Stern, and Director of Resource Development Jennifer Luczkowiak attended the 18th Judicial Circuit reception at the Wheaton Historical Museum, celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Judicial Circuit Committee. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Kay O’Brien provided remarks on the importance of pro bono work.
(L-R): Erin Stern, Jennifer Luczkowiak, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Kay O’Brien, Kim Thielbar
On Thursday, October 22, Senior Pro Bono Coordinator Wendy Crouch attended the Rock Island County Bar Association Pro Bono Dinner celebrating all the volunteer work happening throughout Rock Island County.
(L-R): Judge Michelle Fitzsimmmons, Attorney Jennifer Kincaid, Retired Judge Lori Leifstein, Retired Judge Ann Thompson
(L-R): Jessica Schneider, Judge Michelle Fitzsimmmons, Attorney Jennifer Kincaid, Retired Judge Lori Leifstein, Retired Judge Ann Thompson, Wendy Crouch
On Monday, October 26, Peoria Office Managing Attorney Thomas Dennis presented the PSLS Equal Access To Justice Award to Abigail Fleming and the PSLS Joined in Justice Award to the 10th Judicial Circuit Clerk’s office at the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Celebrate Pro Bono reception. Pro Bono Coordinator Laurie Bell, Supervising Attorney Sheryl Robertson and Senior Consumer Law Attorney Molly Recar also attended the event to help celebrate all the honorees from the PCBA, TCBA, and the 10th Judicial Circuit.
(L-R): PSLS Managing Attorney Thomas Dennis, Abigail Fleming, and Judge Lisa Wilson, 10th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Chair
Joined in Justice Award Honorees, Peoria County Circuit Clerk Robert Spears and staff of the Clerk's office with PSLS Managing Attorney Thomas Dennis
On Tuesday, October 27, Director of Pro Bono Services Kim Thielbar, Pro Bono Coordinator Lakeshia Sykes and Director of Resource Development Jennifer Luczkowiak attended the 19th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee’s Pro Bono Week Breakfast. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford celebrated Lake County’s long history of pro bono volunteering.
Award Recipient, Greta Berna, and Lakeshia Sykes
On Tuesday, October 27, Pro Bono Coordinator Erin Stern attended the Kane County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Award Ceremony, honoring all the attorneys who have donated their time over the past year.
On Wednesday, October 28, Pro Bono Coordinator Erin Stern attended the 23rd Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee’s reception. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford attended as the special guest speaker.
(L-R): Jessica Schneider, Charles Brown, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford, Julie Swanson Haggard, Judge Carlo Colosimo, Erin Stern