The Illinois Armed Forces Legal Aid Network (IL-AFLAN) recently announced more than $1.1 million in grants to non-profit organizations to help veterans and service members resolve their legal problems and preserve their health, safety and financial independence.

Since its launch last fall, IL-AFLAN has provided civil legal services, ranging from brief advice all the way to extended courtroom representation, to more than 2,000 veterans and service members.

Moving into the second year of the project, IL-AFLAN is excited to be adding the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) to its existing network of legal aid providers.  PILI will provide pro bono services to veterans and service members in central and southern Illinois.

“PILI is excited to start this new project to serve those who have so faithfully served our country,” said Michael G. Bergmann, PILI’s Executive Director. “Since 2011, PILI has been expanding our efforts statewide to help fill gaps in legal services with pro bono work. This project seems like a natural extension of our existing projects and we look forward to increasing our reach and helping to ensure our service men and women get access to legal help.”