Education Outreach

Richard J. Daley Center
50 West Washington Street
Chicago, Illinois  60602

Tours: Law Division Jury Trial (grades 5 and up)       

Law Division Jury Trial Tour

For 5^th through 8^th grades: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday – Friday

• offered weekday mornings when court is in session
• limited to persons age 10 (fifth grade) and older
• no more than 35 persons to a group, including teachers, chaperones and students

This tour features a visit to a Law Division courtroom to observe cases involving civil disputes such as personal injury claims, contract matters, and medical malpractice suits.  An overview presentation of the judicial system and follow-up discussion are included.

Reservations are required. Because dates fill up quickly, schools and organizations are encouraged to book tours several weeks or months in advance of their preferred dates to ensure availability. 

To book a tour: Call the Office of Education Outreach at (312) 603-1928.

George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building
2600 South California Avenue
Chicago, Illinois  60608

For 8^th grade: 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday – Friday

• offered weekday mornings when court is in session
• limited to persons age 13 (eighth grade) and older
• no more than 35 persons to a group, including teachers and chaperones  

This tour features an overview of the judicial system, a visit to a Criminal Division courtroom to view a trial in progress, and a follow-up discussion.  Either a criminal jury trial or criminal bench trial will be observed, depending on availability.

Reservations are required. Because dates fill up quickly, schools and organizations are encouraged to book tours several weeks or months in advance of their preferred dates to ensure availability.

To book a tour: Call the Office of Education Outreach at (312) 603-1928.

Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II, joined by the judges of the Circuit Court and local bar organizations, hosts a year-round Community Heritage Month Courthouse Tour series.  The tours combine public education activities with national and local observances marking racial and ethnic diversity.

The Heritage Courthouse Tours include the following:

• Black History Month (February)
• Women’s History Month (March)
• Greek Heritage Day (March)
• Arab-American Heritage Month (April)
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May)
• Puerto Rican Heritage Day (June)
• Latino Hispanic Heritage Month (late September – early October)
• Italian Heritage Month (October)
• Polish Heritage Month  (October)
• Veterans Day (November)

Now in their XXth year, the tours have been attended by thousands of Cook County residents.

The Heritage Tour series offers the public a sense of day-to-day operations of one of the nation’s largest unified court systems. Tour highlights include a visit to a courtroom to observe a trial in progress, an informal presentation by a judge from the Circuit Court, and the opportunity to meet with bar association representatives.

Persons attending also receive a copy of the court’s informational guide which outlines the structure of the Circuit Court of Cook County, explains the basics of trial proceedings, and includes a directory of court and county resources.         

For more information on the Circuit Court of Cook County’s annual Heritage Tours, including specific dates for each event, please contact the Office of Accessibility and Education Outreach, at (312) 603-1928.

Circuit Court of Cook County
Office of Accessibility and Education Outreach
50 West Washington Street, CL16
Chicago, Illinois  60602
(312) 603-1928
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Supervisor: Marta Almodovar

Media Inquiries

Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education
Mock Trial Competition   
Contact Information:
Circuit Court of Cook County
Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education
Office of the Chief Judge
50 West Washington Street, CL16
Chicago, Illinois  60602
(312) 603-1928
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday 
  
The Circuit Court of Cook County's Mock Trial Competition is a hands-on educational experience available to Chicago public high school students. Students learn about the court and legal system as they test their legal skills in the preparation and presentation of a fictitious court case.
 
Instruction over a two-month period is provided by a teacher and volunteer attorney/coaches. Students compete in three rounds of competition in courtrooms in the Richard J. Daley Center. In all rounds of competition, students present their cases before actual Circuit Court of Cook County judges.
 
The Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education Mock Trial Competition is sponsored by the Circuit Court of Cook County, the law firm of Sidley Austin LLP, The Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Board of Education.

Who can participate?

The Chicago Coalition of Law-Related Education (CCLRE) Citywide Mock Trial Competition is open to all Chicago Public high schools with students in grades 9 - 12. Schools may register only one team for the competition. The team must be made up students registered at the school  who will be under the instruction and supervision of a registered teacher from the school.

How can my school register to participate?

Chicago public high schools are sent a registration packet to the attention of the principal in early November. Interested schools also may contact the CCLRE Office at (312) 603-1928 for information.

Can I volunteer to be a mock trial competition coach?

Only attorneys can volunteer as coaches. Interested attorneys may contact the CCLRE Office at (312) 603-1928.

What is the time commitment for coaching a school?

Serving as a coach for the Mock Trial Competition requires a time commitment of between 3 to 4 months, depending on how far the school you are coaching advances in the competition. The Mock Trial Competition begins in January with instruction and preparation of students for trial.  The first rounds of competition begin in March. Coaches teach Mock Trial Competition classes two to three times a week depending on their schedules.

Is there another way to volunteer if my schedule does not allow me to serve as a coach?

Yes, attorneys can volunteer to serve as evaluators during the first two rounds of Mock Trial Competition by contacting the CCLRE Office at (312)603-1928.

My school is not a Chicago public high school; can we still participate?

The Illinois State Bar Association sponsors a statewide Mock Trial Competition every year in March. All schools in the state are qualified to participate. For more information, please contact the ISBA at (217)525-1760.

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