CBA Record January-February 2024

Several key CBF advocacy priorities were approved this year in Springfield that will advance access to justice, including new funding for innovative court-based eviction assistance programs, a bill that clarifies and improves access to court documents, and a bill to increase access to legal help for people facing consumer debt cases. The CBF also continues to advocate for access to justice ini tiatives in Washington in partnership with the CBA, ISBA, and ABA. Priorities this year included increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation, ensuring adequate funding and security for the federal courts, and passing a long-term, sustainable solution to the student debt crisis.

with limited technology capabilities or transit challenges can more easily get legal information and assistance, including with e-filing, and participate in remote court proceedings.

Campaign Raises $1.4 Million

More than 4,000 lawyers and legal professionals contributed more than $1.4 million to the 2023 Investing in Justice Campaign. With the leader 2023 Investing in Justice Campaign Chair Amy Manning, performing with her band, Flood Waters, at the Campaign Wrap-Up Party at The Club in Elmhurst.

Milestone Year for Pro Bono and Public Service Awards

ship of Amy Manning of McGuireWoods LLP, 130 law firms, corporate legal departments, and other law-related organizations participated in this year’s campaign to help raise awareness and much-needed funds. We celebrated this year’s successful campaign with a wrap-up concert headlined by rockstar campaign Chair Amy Manning and her band, Flood Waters. Since its inception in 2007, the campaign has raised more than $20 million while leveraging millions more in additional support for the pro bono and legal aid organizations serving the Chicago area.

Nearly 600 people came together to honor seven amazing lawyers and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the CBA/CBF Pro Bono & Public Service Awards Luncheon, which has become a signature event in our legal community. Since the event was first held in 1999, we have honored more than 150 heroes of our Chicago legal community for their inspir ing pro bono and public service commitment. Innovative Court-Library Partnership People in communities in the Chicago area and throughout the state will have improved access to remote court proceedings and other legal resources thanks to a new partnership between the CBF, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice, and the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. This innovative pilot proj ect will create community access centers in libraries throughout the state. Recognizing libraries as important community hubs for information and assistance, these access centers will provide new resources to assist patrons in navigating the legal system. People From left: CBA President Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill PLC; Luncheon Co-Chair Jordan Heinz, Abbott; Lewis Award Recipient Steven Blonder, Much Shelist, P.C.; Anderson Fellowship Recipient Andy Froelich, James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy; Weigle Award Recipient Whitney Siehl, Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP; Schrager Award Recipient Susan Curry, The University of Chicago Law School; Morsch Award recipient Julie Brown, Impact for Equity; Exelon Award recipient Melvin Flowers, Accenture; Luncheon Co-Chair Donna Welch, Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Incoming CBF Board President Kenya Jenkins-Wright, Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission; and Outgoing CBF Board President Greg Boyle, Jenner & Block LLP.

27th Annual Benefit a Big Success

Nearly 2,000 people celebrated the 27th annual CBF Fall Benefit at the Museum of Science & Industry. The casual, family-friendly event featured tasty comfort food, special kids’ activities, a silent auction and raffle, live music, an open bar, complimentary park ing, and access to the museum’s many popular exhibits includ ing Christmas Around the World and this year’s special exhibit Pompeii: The Exhibition. Special thanks to co-chairs Robert Col lins and Kathy Malamis, and our many law firm and corporate sponsors who continue to make this event possible. From left: CBF Board President Kenya Jenkins-Wright, Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission; 2023 Fall Benefit Co Chairs Robert Collins, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Kathy Malamis, Zurich North America; and CBF Executive Director Bob Glaves.

Emme Veenbaas is The Chicago Bar Foundation’s Senior Manager of Communications & Events..

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