The CBF’s vision is that the fundamental American principle of equal access to justice becomes a reality for all residents of the Chicago metropolitan area.  

 

 

(1)        Equal access to justice is central to our democratic society, integral to the effective functioning of our justice system and a critical part of the safety net for vulnerable members of our community.

 

(2)        As trustees of our system of justice, lawyers have a special responsibility to ensure equal access to justice. The CBF’s mission is a reflection of the Chicago Bar Association’s strong commitment to this fundamental tenet of the legal profession and our belief that the huge and persistent gap in access to our civil justice system is a call to action for the legal community.

 

 (3)       By coming together as a community, we have the power to significantly improve access to justice for less fortunate residents of the Chicago area and ultimately to fulfill our nation’s promise of justice for all.

 

 (4)       Achieving the CBF’s vision of equal access to justice in our community requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that fully engages the legal profession, recognizing that this issue affects more than just low-income residents and taking into account the relevant statewide and national contexts.

 

 (5)       All of our stakeholders are equally important to fulfilling our mission: our donors; our grantees; the CBA; our board, staff and volunteers; our many other partners; and all of the Chicago-area residents who ultimately benefit from our collective efforts.

 

(6)        By offering an effective means for the legal community to come together to improve access to justice, the CBF provides lawyers the opportunity to give back in a way that is uniquely important and rewarding for them as lawyers and thus strengthens the profession.

 

(7)        The CBF’s distinct capacity to harness the considerable expertise, resources and influence of our various stakeholders uniquely positions the CBF to provide a strong collective voice in the community that strengthens all of the individual pro bono and legal aid organizations serving the Chicago area.

 

(8)        The CBF is committed to striving for excellence and transparency in all of our work, managing our resources effectively, and adhering to the highest ethical standards in our governance and management.