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The Illinois Judges Association consists of over 1300 current and retired judges. The Association supports judicial excellence and professional development and judicial education, fosters public confidence in an independent judiciary, works to preserve the independence of the judiciary by educating the public and students, and promotes a diverse judiciary that administers justice in a fair and impartial court system. 

 IJA President IL Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford discusses the ethical guidelines with hon. Ray Mckosky around the 2025-26 theme:

 Bridging the Bench and Community across Illinois.

 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:  Installation of Officers & Board Members – FY 2025–26

The Illinois Judges Association proudly celebrated the installation of its Officers and Board Members for the 2025–26 fiscal year. This annual tradition honors the dedication of judges across the state who step forward to lead, serve, and strengthen our judicial community. Browse the gallery below to relive the highlights of this special occasion.

 

 


 

 

PRO BONO SPOTLIGHT: Michael Bergmann

Michael G. Bergmann, pictured here with IJA President Justice Rochford—who is not a judge but is close to many—has been instrumental in the pro bono community in Illinois and to the IJA in shaping and supporting the Pro Bono Committee. In 2020, as the incoming president of the IJA, Judge Barbara Crowder tapped Michael to help form the Pro Bono Committee, which has been supporting pro bono activities of both active and retired judges. Since then, Michael has stayed involved by serving as a special advisor to that committee, which has been supporting pro bono activities of both active and retired judges. Since then, Michael has stayed involved by serving as a special advisor to that committee.

In his day job, Michael is the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative or PILI. PILI’s mission is to engage, inspire, and empower organizations that advocate for equal access to justice throughout the state. PILI connects law students, graduates, and lawyers to public interest law and pro bono opportunities in Illinois. PILI funds and supports and provides internships for law students who seek pro bono work experience and recent graduates who serve in  post-graduate fellowships before joining their hiring law firm. PILI also recruits and trains volunteers to provide direct legal services where they are most needed. This includes providing help desks in select court houses, providing legal help for veterans through the Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid network, and providing advice and information about non-criminal legal issues for low-income clients through Illinois Free Legal Answers. Judge Crowder got to know Michael when she served on PILI’s pro bono committee for the 3rd judicial circuit which, like similar committees throughout the downstate area, focuses on the pro bono needs of that circuit. Pro Bono Spotlight- Michael Bergman