Lawyers and judges are needed to support civics engagement in our schools by attending one of the hearings offered by the Illinois Task Force in Civic Education Report.

The Task Force recommends that Illinois require a high school course in civic, that civics education include the skills of citizen involvement, and that teachers be better prepared to teach civics.

The hearings schedule, is as follows with times tentatively set at 4-6 p.m. in each location:

• Monday, October 13: University of Illinois-Chicago, Student Center East
• Wednesday, October 15: Willowbrook High School, Villa Park
• Tuesday, October 21: Lanphier High School, Springfield
• Thursday, November 6: Carbondale Community High School, Carbondale

Currently, Illinois is one of 10 states that does not require civics at the high school, though it does requires one unit in American history or one unit in American history and American government combined. Too often when civics is taught, it is drill and memorization and not the sort of skills and engagement that leads to active citizens. The entire report and all seven recommendations is available at http://www.isbe.net/career/html/CETF.htm

Students who engage in high quality active civics become responsible, informed, and thoughtful citizens who participate in their communities. They are law-abiding, understand the importance of jury duty and the role of the courts, become informed on the issues of the day, and vote.

The Illinois State Bar Association is one of the community organizations who support civic learning programs, according to the Task Force Report.

Please contact Shawn P. Healy, Chair, Illinois Civic Mission Coalition, at 312-445-5174
or SHealy@McCormickFoundation.org for more information.