FILED
IN THE UNITED STATESDISTRICT COURT JAN 2 9 2016
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
CLERK, U.S. DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
) EAST ST. LOUIS OFFICE
)
In re: District Court Pro Bono Program ) Administrative Order No. 181
)
)
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
Each attorney admitted to practice generally in this Court has a duty to be available for
assignment to represent or assist in the representation of those who cannot afford to hire an
attorney, and who are found to be inneed ofcounsel. SDIL-L.R. 83.1(i); see also Pruitt v. Mote,
503 F.3d 647 (7th Cir. 2007). The rising number ofpro se cases filed in this district and the
need to ensure that attorneys are available for assignment to these cases warrant the immediate
revision of Local Rule 83.1 and the creation of a pro bom program prior to the Local Rules
Committee's completion of thecurrent revision of thewhole of the Local Rules.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2^)1 \{t),prior to giving public notice and an opportimity for comment.
Local Rule 83.1 will be amended and apro bom program will be created under new Local Rules
83.8-83.14. These rules shall take effect immediately and shall apply to pending proceedings.
These rules shall be promptly published on the Court's website (http://wvyw.ilsd.uscourts.gov),
and the Clerk shall receive comment. These rules may be amended further in the course of the
Local Rules Committee's current project, which will be accomplished under the usual notice and
comment procedures prescribed by 28 U.S.C. § 2071(b).
An initial panel of 800 attorneys shall be formed by the Clerk in accordance with Local Rule
83.8. The panel's term shall commence immediately and end on March 1, 2017. Attomeys who
have been assigned to represent a party pro bom in this district within the past 12 months shall
be exempt from this inaugural panel. If notified that they are on the panel, they should move to
withdraw, citing their prior assignment. Pursuant to newly amended Local Rule 83.8(a)(3),
members of the District's current volunteer Pro Bom Panel shall be included in the inaugural
panel under the new pro bom program.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: Jonuoy
MICHAEL J. REAGAN
CHIEF JUDGE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
