The Illinois Judicial Council Foundation, Inc.
is an Affiliate of the ILLINOIS JUDICIAL COUNCIL, INC.
Reaching Back, Lifting Up, Paving the Way for the Pursuit of Justice
About us
Our history
The Illinois Judicial Council Foundation (IJCF) is the sister organization to the Illinois Judicial Council (IJC). Shortly after its inception in 1983, the IJC committed its resources to establishment of scholarships awarded to minority and other needy law students on an annual basis. After a period of time, the need to formalize a non-profit charitable entity for this purpose became apparent and in January 1999 the IJCF was formally incorporated as a Section 501(C)(3) organization.
The IJCF’S membership is comprised of retired state and federal jurists as well as administrative law judges and other adjudicative officers.
Since 1999, the IJCF has funded over 70 scholarships, totaling over $200, 000 for minority and other deserving law students in Illinois and beyond. These scholarships, awarded annually by the IJC, are based on applicant interviews and the following criteria: academic achievement, financial need, community involvement and the demonstrated ability in overcoming obstacles.
Our Mission
The mission of the IJCF is to provide the necessary financial resources to the IJC in furtherance of its philanthropic, educational, and community-based activities for law students, particularly those interested in social justice and equity issues.
Our Service
The IJCF enjoys close collaboration with the IJC in sponsoring fundraising activities as well as programs of community interest. The IJCF had established relationships with local law schools and has enlisted their commitment to provide matching funds to IJC scholarship recipients. These law schools include:
Loyola University of Chicago
The John Marshall Law School/
University of Illinois
Chicago Kent College of Law
DePaul University College of Law
Northwestern University College of Law
Southern Illinois University College of Law
IJCF Board of Directors
get involved where it counts
Since 1999, the Illinois Judicial Council Foundation has dramatically impacted the lives of law students who may not have otherwise had the resources to complete their education. Average law school debt is $135,000, making it difficult for students from under-represented communities to complete law school. Your gift can make all the difference in the lives of these students. Together, we can support these individuals in finishing their education and paying it forward to the communities which they represent.
(You can direct how your donation will be used)
Brandy is a 3L at UIC John Marshall Law School where she has been on the Dean’s List in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Brandy describes herself as a “non-traditional” law student, having obtained her bachelor’s degree while in her 30’s and going on to receive her MBA from the University of Arizona before pursuing law. Brandy has a strong interest in civil rights and appellate defense work and she has obtained clinical experience at both the Cook County State’s Attorney Office and at the Shelby County (TN) Public Defender’s Office. She has also served as the student representative on the Faculty Academic Affairs Committee at the law school.
reaching back, providing a hand up, preparing A more just future
The IJCF is committed to promoting diversity in the legal profession. Data shows that as of 2017, only 5% of attorneys in the U.S. respectively identified as African American or Latino. By investing in law students from underrepresented communities, we are passing on an important torch and increasing their representation in the ranks of practicing attorneys, public officials, and community leaders.
Start now
(You can direct how your donation will be used)
2021 scholarship recipients
The 39th Annual Installation & Scholarship Awards Ceremony was held on August 18, 2021. The Illinois Judicial Council Foundation, Inc. awarded scholarships to four well-deserving, unique and talented law students. They are
MR. JAYLIN D. MCCLINTON
Jaylin is a 3L at Kent College of Law. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Jaylin is a native Chicagoan who grew up in the Roseland community where he saw firsthand the inequities of the criminal justice system based on the incarceration of a neighbor. Jaylin has participated in a number of endeavors which speak to his interests in criminal justice and constitutional rights, including serving as PILI intern at the ACLU and working at the Chicago Kent Criminal Justice Defense Clinic. Jaylin has also served on Kent’s Racial Equity Audit Task Force which reviewed the law school’s policies and proceduresG root out racial bias.
MS. JULNASHA M. MOREHEAD
After an extensive career in both clinical services and educational administration, Julnasha recently began her law career as a IL at Chicago Kent College of Law. She received her undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois University and obtained her Masters in Counseling from Argosy University. Julnasha was inspired to study law because of its considerable underpinning to the policies and procedures she encountered in educational administration. She has an extensive background in community involvement including her work with PAGES, a support group for African American parents and students as well as serving as a volunteer with a local food pantry. As she embarks on her legal education, she plans to pursue her passion in public interest as well as the labor and employment field.
MR. JAHKEEM WHEATLEY
Jahkeem is a 3L at the UIC John Marshall Law School where he has been on the Dean’s List for the last three semesters. He is both a first generation college graduate and law student in his family, his mother having emigrated at a young age to the U.S. from Jamaica. While at his undergraduate institution, Oberlin University, he was a decorated student athlete and he participated in significant research in the area of networking, as it relates to law school admission and ultimate career advancement in the profession. Jahkeem IS involved in various community activities including serving as the first law student board member of the Legal Prep Charter Academy.
MS. BRANDY N. JOHNSON
Brandy is a 3L at UIC John Marshall Law School where she has been on the Dean’s List in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Brandy describes herself as a “non-traditional” law student, having obtained her bachelor’s degree while in her 30’s and going on to receive her MBA from the University of Arizona before pursuing law. Brandy has a strong interest in civil rights and appellate defense work and she has obtained clinical experience at both the Cook County State’s Attorney Office and at the Shelby County (TN) Public Defender’s Office. She has also served as the student representative on the Faculty Academic Affairs Committee at the law school.
2021 Scholarship Committee
Hon. Sharon O. Johnson — Chairperson
Hon. Patrice Ball-Reed
Hon. Tiana Blakely
Hon. Shelvin Louise Marie Hall (Ret.)
Hon. Lionel Jean-Baptiste
Hon. Berta Requena
Hon. Theodore R. Sherrod, Jr. (Ret.)
Hon. Arthur Willis
ways to give
Giving is as easy as:
- PayPal on the website.
- Sending your contribution to IJCF at P.O. Box 15143, 1510 E. 55th St., Chicago, IL 60615.
- Designating IJCF to receive matching funds from your employer.
- Directing contributions, grants, and awards to the IJCF from philanthropic, fraternal, and other charitable organizations with which you are affiliated.
(You can direct how your donation will be used)
sponsorship
become an ijcf sponsor
Consider supporting IJCF as a scholarship sponsor. The following sponsorship levels are available:
Scales of Justice Partner–$5,000+
Pass the Torch Partner–$2500+
Social Justice Partner–$1000+
Level the Field Partner–$500+
Gavel Partner–$200+
Matching Law School Awards
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- The John Marshall Law School
- Chicago Kent College of Law
- DePaul College of Law
- Northwestern University School of Law
- University of Illinois (Chicago/Southern)
Corporate Sponsors
- Law firms
- Banks
- Insurance
- Businesses
