Mark your calendars throughout the month of November and take part in the expanded Illinois Judges Association’s Annual Day of Service.
This statewide initiative is another way we’re Building Bridges — connecting judges with their communities through acts of service, compassion, and commitment. Whether you volunteer at a local organization, support a community project, or simply lend a hand where it’s needed most, your participation helps strengthen those vital connections.
Let’s come together to make a difference — for ourselves and others.
Service Opportunities
Below are some dates and locations that have been confirmed.
1st Appellate District – November 1st
Cynthia Cobbs, 1st District Chair, cynthiacobbs16@gmail.com
Greater Chicago Food Depository – 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place, Chicago
Saturday, November 1, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Using the link below, each volunteer will need to register as a part of the Illinois Judges Association Group, create a profile and accept the Food Depository’s waiver. Attire: Long Pants, Sleeved Shirts, fully enclosed shoes.
https://volunteers.chicagosfoodbank.org/registrations/NK3CkNV4jY/claim_spot
Free Parking. For questions or more information, contact Kate Vail, Judicial Law Clerk to Justice Cobbs, at kvail@illinoiscourts.gov
2nd Appellate District – November 15th
Ruth Lofthouse, Second District Chair, rhlofthouse@lakecountyil.gov
Heart of the City: November 15, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Northwood Middle School in Highland Park. Judges interacting (and participating if up for it) with 6th to 8th graders from underserved communities for a soccer game. Donations needed by the players are new and used cleats, size 5 soccer balls, socks, shin guards or monetary donations. If you are interested in participating and/or donating, please email Judge Ruth Lofthouse at rhlofthouse@lakecountyil.gov.
Please see Heart of the City’s latest video about their program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz2qxiT84mM
Their website information is: www.heartofthecitysports.org
3rd Appellate District
Michelle Vescogni, Third District Chair, judge-vescogni@lasallecounty.com
Below are volunteer opportunities in the 3rd Appellate District. Feel free to organize a group in your county and reach out to any of the below organizations.
- DuPage: Loaves & Fishes Community Service (www.loaves-fishes.org/volunteer)
- Will: Northern Illinois Food Bank, South Suburban Center (www.solvehungertoday.com)
- LaSalle/Bureau: Starved Rock State Park and Matthiessen State Park (www.starvedrock.org/volunteer)
- Grundy/Kankakee/Iroquois: Kankakee Valley Park District (www.kvpd.com/volunteer)
4th Appellate District
Michael Brandt, Fourth District Chair, jdgbrandt@sbcglobal.net
- Drop off donations to Sophie’s Kitchen, 105 North Richard Pryor Place, Peoria, IL 61605
5th Appellate District – November 8th
Stacy Campbell, Co-Chair, stacycampmiller@gmail.com
- Community Interfaith Food Pantry, 9-11:00 a.m. 1218 West Main Street, Belleville, IL. No sign up needed – just show up. Group picture at 10:00 a.m.