The Illinois Supreme Court left the Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield behind for a day and “rode the circuit” to hear oral arguments at Chicago State University on May 11. A crowd of over 400, including 300 students, were in attendance.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in two cases, People v. Lane and People v. Lozano at the Emil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center in Chicago. Attorneys from the Cook County Bar Association hosted a question-and-answer session with the students following the arguments.

“We are so excited to resume taking our oral arguments on the road as part of the Court’s ongoing efforts to educate the public on the work we do. At a time when trust in government is declining, it is all the more important for us to bring the Court to the people. We are thrilled to continue our tradition of Riding the Circuit at Chicago State University,” Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis said prior to the event. “It is so essential for the public to get the opportunity to observe, firsthand, the work we do and how we do it. Holding court at different locations and inviting area students and residents to attend helps demystify the process.”

The arguments at Chicago State University was the Court’s first road trip since September 2019 when arguments were heard at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey.

The program was sponsored by the Illinois Supreme Court, Chicago State University, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, the Cook County Bar Association and the Illinois Judicial Council.

Click here to view photos from the event.