The following is a statement from the Illinois Judges Association:

Recent unrest and protests across the nation resulting from the mistreatment of African Americans serve as stark reminders that racial injustice, inequity and discrimination endure throughout our society.

The Illinois Judges Association stands firmly against racism, oppression and hate. The court system not only plays a vital role in ensuring justice and upholding the law, but it is essential in guaranteeing the civil and constitutional rights of all people, regardless of color. 

Illinois Judges Association President Hon. Rita M. Novak presented the organization’s Distinguished Service Award to Judge Carole Kamin Bellows on March 28 at the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago.

The Distinguished Service Award is intended to recognize judges who have demonstrated exemplary service to citizens, bench, and bar as shown by devotion to the law, efforts to improve the legal and judicial communities, reputation for honor, integrity, legal knowledge and diligent service, and otherwise distinguishing him or herself as an Illinois judicial officer.

Judge Bellows was first appointed to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division, by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1986. By being successfully retained by the voters, she continued to serve on the bench for 26 years. Prior to becoming a judge, she was an attorney for 26 years.

ISBA President John E. Thies is greeted by (from left) Illinois Judges Association (IJA) Immediate Past President, Illinois Appellate Court Justice Carol Pope, and IJA President, Judge Rita M. Novak, of Chicago, at a kickoff Wednesday announcing “Project 225” at the Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. This project is a special program starting the week of September 17 whereby scores of state judges will deliver 225 classroom presentations at high school civics classes statewide to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride, other Supreme Court justices, government officials, and bar leaders joined Judge Novak, and members of the association, in a ceremony to explain the program and its objectives, emphasizing the Constitution’s history and contemporary relevance.

Former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Michael Streit, who along with two other justices lost a bid for retention after a bruising campaign funded by well-financed organizations opposing the court’s marriage equality ruling in 2009, will speak about his experience and the impact on judicial independence at a luncheon during the Midyear Meeting of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) and Illinois Judges Association (IJA) at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers on Friday, December 9, at noon.

The meeting will include the annual Illinois Bar Foundation Fellows Awards Breakfast on Friday morning, and a reception and dinner Friday evening honoring the Illinois Supreme Court with remarks by Justice Mary Jane Theis.

Two IJA/ISBA programs with MCLE credit will be held on Friday morning. “The Legacy of Myra Bradwell:  In the Light of Experience,” will feature an in-depth panel discussion about the Illinois woman who became the first female to gain entrance to the Illinois bar and, in the process, influenced the future of Illinois law. “Revitalizing the Jury Trial,” presented by Chief Judge James F. Holderman and Professor Stephan Landsman, will include video presentations about various problems and solutions arising with 21st century juries.

On Saturday, the 203-member policy-making Assembly of the ISBA will convene. Also, the IJA will conduct training sessions at the Sheraton for judges who want to deliver its two student education programs. At 9 a.m., a training for a new civics program, “Bringing the Courtroom to the Classroom,” will be presented. At 10 a.m., a training for the IJA’s “7 Reasons to Leave the Party,” will be held.  Eighty judges have already registered for the civics training.