Study shows how legal aid gives economic boost
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

As the executive director of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Leslie Corbett said "it's important for legislators to understand what a dollar buys us."

The foundation receives state money — usually about $1.75 million a year — under the attorney general's budget and distributes it to legal aid groups throughout the state.  Read more. . .

New Report on Economic Benefits of Legal Aid

Chicago, IL – The Chicago Bar Foundation and the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation released a report today to inform policymakers and other stakeholders about the tangible economic benefits of legal aid. Read more. . . 

For the full report click here .

Legal aid campaign raises $1.5 million
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

The Chicago Bar Foundation's Investing in Justice Campaign broke another record this year by raising $1.5 million for area providers of legal services to the poor, organizers said.  Read more. . .

Sixth Annual CBF Investing in Justice Campaign Breaks Another Record

Nearly 120 Chicago-area law firms, corporate legal departments and other law-related organizations contribute more than $1.5 million for legal aid services

Chicago, IL – The 2012 Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) Investing in Justice Campaign set new records while raising much-needed funds for pro bono and legal aid services in the Chicago area. Nearly 120 law firms, corporate legal departments and other law-related organizations signed on to this year’s Campaign — a 15 percent increase from 2011 — and more than 3,500 individual attorneys and legal professionals contributed more than $1.55 million.  Read more. . .

CBF Report April/May 2012
CBF Welcomes New Director of Grants, Ryanne Easley

Ryanne Easley has joined the Chicago Bar Foundation staff as the new Director of Grants. Easley is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the CBF's Grants Program and overseeing the CBF's public interest law scholarships and fellowships. Read more. . .

April 2012 CBF Newsletter

Featuring the following topics:
Investing in Justice Campaign Wrapping Up
CBF Awards Over $1.1 Million in Special Project Grants
Nominate a Pro Bono or Public Service Attorney
Planning Underway for an Innovative New Pro Bono Project
Ryanne Easley Joins CBF Staff as Director of Grants
Free Legal Self-Help Web Center Opens in Markham
2012 Fat Tuesday Challenge a Success
Legal Aid Committee Meeting Celebrates Highlights from the Field

CBF Report February/March 2012
The 2012 Investing in Justice Campaign

Chicago’s Legal Community Comes Together in Support of Access to Justice

As we enter the month of March, we know that a number of things we look forward to are just around the corner. For those of us who are sports fans, there is March Madness and Spring Training; for many of us, there are spring breaks and maybe a nice vacation to go with it; and for all of us, warmer weather is on the way, something we can all look forward to even after the relatively mild winter we’re just finishing. Another important happening we can all look forward to once again this March is the annual CBF Investing in Justice Campaign.  Read more. . .

Step up and support legal aid with Investing in Justice Campaign
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

If not for people like you, people like me would not stand a chance." — Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago client

Sheila, a longtime resident of public housing, was devastated when her 27-year-old son died after a severe asthma attack. Friends and family came to her home after the funeral to share their grief and to comfort her for this terrible loss. A few days later Sheila received a notice that her housing voucher was being terminated. The reason? The post-funeral gathering had violated Chicago Housing Authority rules by "disturbing" her neighbors. The Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago took the case, went to hearing and her voucher was saved.

Legal service programs make this kind of a difference every day. This month you have a special opportunity to be part of that difference. Read more...

Legal aid funding drive starts
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Edward I. Grossman, executive director of Chicago Legal Clinic Inc., said his group lost about $60,000 this year.

The tough economy and cuts in the state budget, he said, forced some donors to give less at a time when a record number of Cook County people qualify for legal aid assistance.

Grossman said the group he helped start in 1981 served 40,000 people last year in about a dozen programs with 27 lawyers and 22 support staff - all on a budget of nearly $2.4 million.

Those numbers, however, would be different if the Chicago Bar Foundation's Investing in Justice Campaign didn't exist, he said.

Started in 2007 as a way to raise money from the legal community for local legal aid groups, the foundation launched its 2012 campaign Monday evening at Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Read more...