Illinois State Bar Association’s High School Mock Trial Invitational To Take Place March 15th and 16th in Springfield

Teams from 52 Illinois high schools will participate in the 42nd annual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) High School Mock Trial Invitational on March 15 and 16, 2025, at Lincoln Land Community College – Main Campus in Springfield. 

The top ten teams will compete in the final round on March 16th for the state championship. The winner will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. 

“The Mock Trial Competition opens the world of the American justice system to students throughout Illinois. Students are presented with a problem and, just as in a real trial, must develop questions, arguments, and prepare to make and defend objections. The program is challenging and develops critical thinking, public speaking, advocacy, and analytical skills in students. Even students who do not want to pursue a career in a law-related field will benefit from mastering these skills. For the students planning for a career in law, this experience is invaluable. We hope that participating in mock trial helps students learn more about the judicial system and how our courts operate,” says Melissa Olivero, Chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which administers the program. 

Each team tries both sides – prosecution and defense – of a hypothetical case developed by the ISBA Committee. This year’s case is People v. Peyton Reed, a criminal case involving a defendant charged in connection with a fentanyl overdose at a party. 

Students will assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses, and a panel of Illinois judges, lawyers, and others will evaluate and score the students' performances. Students must also take a written test about the issues of the case and basic legal principles. 

The High School Mock Trial Invitational has been conducted each year since 1982 by the ISBA to provide Illinois high school students with insight into the American judicial system and to help them develop qualities such as teamwork, civility and professionalism, and public speaking. The 2025 event is co-sponsored by Illinois LEARN, Inc. 

The 28,000-member ISBA (isba.org), with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public through a website (illinoislawyerfinder.com), consumer brochures, and distribution of legal information. 

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Members of the media are welcome to cover any portion of the mock trials over the two-day period. 

Participating Schools 
Illinois State Bar Association 42nd Annual Mock Trial Invitational 
March 15-16, 2025 · Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield 

Addison Trail; Addison 

Barrington HS; Barrington 

Bartlett HS; Bartlett 

Bloomington HS; Bloomington 

Boylan HS; Rockford 

Buffalo Grove HS; Buffalo Grove 

Carmel Catholic HS; Mundelein 

Chicago Christian HS; Palos Heights 

College Preparatory School of America; Lombard 

De La Salle Institute; Chicago 

DePaul College Prep; Chicago 

Dunlap HS; Peoria 

Elgin HS; Elgin 

Elk Grove HS; Elk Grove Village 

Evanston Township HS; Evanston 

Glenbard South HS; Glen Ellyn 

Glenbrook South HS; Glenview 

Highland Park HS; Highland Park 

Hinsdale Central HS; Hinsdale 

Hinsdale South HS; Darien 

Homewood-Flossmoor HS; Flossmoor 

Huntley HS; Huntley 

John Hersey HS; Arlington Heights 

Joliet Central HS; Joliet 

Joliet West HS; Joliet 

Lake Forest HS; Lake Forest 

LaSalle-Peru Township HS; LaSalle 

Libertyville HS; Libertyville 

Maine South HS; Park Ridge 

Maine West HS; Des Plaines 

MCC Academy College Prep; Morton Grove 

Minooka Community HS; Minooka 

Mundelein HS; Mundelein 

Niles North HS; Skokie 

Niles West HS; Skokie 

Normal Community HS; Normal 

Normal West HS; Normal 

Oak Park and River Forest HS; Oak Park 

Pittsfield HS; Pittsfield 

Rolling Meadows HS; Rolling Meadows 

St. Charles East HS; St. Charles 

St. Charles North HS; St. Charles 

South Elgin HS; South Elgin 

Southland College Prep HS; Richton Park 

Adlai E. Stevenson HS; Lincolnshire 

Timothy Christian HS; Elmhurst 

Unity Christian Academy; South Holland 

University of Chicago Laboratory School; Chicago 

University of Illinois Laboratory School; Champaign 

Wheaton Academy West; Chicago 

Wheeling HS; Wheeling 

Whitney M. Young Magnet HS; Chicago