September 24, 2018

The Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission will be hosting a Gala to commemorate the Bicentennial of the Judicial Branch on October 9, 2018, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features Scott Turow as the keynote speaker. 

Turow is an attorney with Dentons in Chicago and is a renowned author, having published 10 bestselling works of fiction, including Presumed Innocent, and The Burden of Proof, and two nonfiction books, including One L, about his experience as a law student. His books have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

On October 9, 1818, the Illinois General Assembly appointed the first four justices to the Supreme Court of Illinois in the state capital of Kaskaskia; and the October 9, 2018 Gala, in the state capital of Springfield marks exactly 200 years of justices on the supreme bench.

The Gala is one of several bicentennial activities sponsored by the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission to commemorate 200 years of the Illinois judicial branch. The Commission is also circulating a traveling exhibit across the state as well as publishing books and articles highlighting its legal history. The Illinois Bicentennial Commission recognizes the Commission’s work in 2018 and 2019 as an opportunity to celebrate the many cultural, economic, academic, and political contributions that Illinois and its residents have made to the nation and the world.

The Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission was established in 2007 to assist and advise the Supreme Court of Illinois in acquiring, collecting, preserving, and cataloging documents, artifacts, and information relating to the Illinois judiciary. The Commission seeks to accomplish its work in partnership with historical and cultural institutions; bar associations; universities; law schools; and federal, state, and local agencies.

Tickets are available for $150 per ticket by contacting John Lupton at 217-670-0890 x1 or at john.lupton@illinoiscourthistory.org. Make your reservations now because seating is limited.