Illinois Supreme Court amends rule to allow newly-admitted attorneys to participate in pro bono pilot program

The Illinois Supreme Court announced amendments to Supreme Court Rule 795(d)(14) which will permit newly-admitted attorneys to participate in a pro bono pilot program to earn Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit. With this amendment the Court hopes to address unmet legal needs in the state and help foster a career-long commitment for new attorneys to pro bono service.

Under the pilot program, which began on July 1, 2025, an attorney may earn one MCLE credit hour for every two hours of pro bono participation in Illinois Free Legal Answers, up to five credits per MCLE reporting period. The amendment to the language of Rule 795 will now permit newly-admitted attorneys who have not yet entered their first two-year MCLE reporting period to participate in the pilot program.

The amendment to Rule 795 is effective July 1, 2026. The amended Illinois Supreme Court Rules can be found here.

The amended rule was proposed by the Supreme Court Executive Committee on the Practice of Law (Executive Committee). Formed in 2023, the Executive Committee is charged with making recommendations on issues impacting the practice of law and unmet legal needs in Illinois.