06/06/06 Brings More Than Apocalyptic Doom

June sixth brought more than Hollywood’s premiere of the sci-fi thriller The Omen to town. Volunteer Peggy Sue Strom, of the East Dundee low-income legal service provider Administer Justice, turned sixty-six years old on the sixth day of the sixth month of Administer Justice’s sixth year in operation. Family and friends gathered at the offices on Penny Avenue, to celebrate with flowers and cake. When asked how she felt having such an historic birthday, she replied, “One of my favorite architects is Frank Lloyd Wright. He experienced much personal pain in his life but still felt the longer he lived the more beautiful life became. I whole heartedly agree!” Peggy says she hopes to have the living longer part down, but feels that she gets to see the beauty in everyday life through her work with Administer Justice.

Peggy started working with Administer Justice when she took over for Mendy Sears in November of 2005 assuming the Volunteer Services Coordinator position. Peggy is in charge of more than 150 volunteers who have found Administer Justice a fulfilling organization in which they donate their time. Peggy Strom first became aware of Administer Justice when her son attorney Bruce Strom (previously from the Elgin law firm of Strom, Repay & McCutchan) noticed a need of justice for all, especially in the Fox Valley area where most who need legal representation in court cannot afford an attorney. In 2000, Strom put together a part-time law clinic out of Fox Valley Church in West Dundee. By 2002 the demand for pro-bono legal counsel was outgrowing its tiny space in the church. Strom left his senior partner position at an Elgin law firm and moved into its present location in East Dundee, where he and other volunteer attorneys provide free legal services to a wider range of clients.

In its sixth year, Administer Justice now has three main aspects that go beyond an information-only clinic. In addition to legal services, Administer Justice provides mediation services as well as financial services, including a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Peggy Sue Strom oversees the volunteers who serve a variety of ways in the busy offices of Administer Justice.

Written by Esther Peters, Summer Intern from Trinity Christian College