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Courthouse tours

  • December 16, 2010 | Member Services
    A Free Gift for ISBA Members: 2011 Monthly Calendar -- Courthouses of Illinois
    As 2010 comes to a close, we at the ISBA would like to send our warmest wishes to our members and their families. We also want to say "THANKS!" for choosing the ISBA to be your partner in the legal profession. As a sign of our appreciation, we've put together a complimentary downloadable "2011 -- Courthouses of Illinois -- Monthly Calendar" for you to use in the coming year. Feel free to print as many copies as you'd like and share them with family, friends and colleagues. Download the calendar. We look forward to continuing to serve you in your practice needs in the coming year! Happy Holidays!
  • March 22, 2010
    Courthouse tours: Christian County Courthouse
    [caption id="attachment_9785" align="alignright" width="225" caption="This statue commemorates Abraham Lincoln's request for a "Writ of quietus" to silence the swine under the original Christian County Courthouse in Taylorville."][/caption] By Judge Ron Spears Only three courthouses have been built on the same two-acre public square to serve the needs of the people of Christian County since the county’s creation in 1839. These courthouses have centered the community, not just symbolically, but literally by occupying the center of the main square of the county seat in Taylorville. On that plot of ground have walked Lincoln, Douglas, Vandeveer, and some of the other important figures of Illinois legal history. The stories of these historic courthouses and the people and events linked to them are an important part of the development of the county. After the county was created by legislation in 1839 (originally Dane County), the first courthouse was completed in 1840 at a cost of $2,350. Court was held on the ground floor with other county offices on the second. Lincoln practiced law in this courthouse - which was his last stop while riding the Eighth Judicial Circuit. During one trial the hogs wallowing under the courthouse made so much noise that Lincoln humorously asked Judge David Davis for a “Writ of quietus” to direct the Sheriff to quiet the swine. This original courthouse is now reconstructed at the Christian County Historical Museum. The second courthouse was completed in 1856 at a cost of around $15,000.
  • March 4, 2010
    Courthouse tours: DeKalb County Courthouse
    [caption id="attachment_9112" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Courtroom scenes for the 1981 film "Will" about G. Gordon Liddy were filmed in the grand Courtroom 300."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_9089" align="alignright" width="300" caption="When the courthouse was built in 1904, this was the Native American symbol for peace."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_9081" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Word to the wise: This sign is posted each Friday for drug court in Judge Robbin Stuckert's Courtroom 204."][/caption] DeKalb County is lucky to possess one of the gems of the Illinois courthouse system. It is rarely mentioned when one asks about the state's top courthouses - perhaps because it has no known ties to Abraham Lincoln - but its ornate detail and impeccable upkeep make it one to remember.
  • December 3, 2009
    Courthouse tours: Champaign County Courthouse
    • Address: 101 E. Main, Urbana [caption id="attachment_6163" align="alignright" width="225" caption="The clock and bell tower of the Champaign County Courthouse recently restored thanks to over $1.1 million raised by local residents."][/caption]
    • Entrance: North side of the building
    • Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • November 13, 2009
    Courthouse tours: Kankakee County Courthouse
    [caption id="attachment_5703" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Kankakee County Courthouse recently celebrated its 100th anniversary at 450 E. Court in Kankakee."][/caption] The Kankakee County Courthouse recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and the Hon. Adrienne W. Albrecht shared her thoughts on the historic building in the October Bench & Bar newsletter. Here are some excerpts from her story: The weekend of October 3 saw the official celebration of the Kankakee County Courthouse marking a century of service. Its classical architecture and dominant position in the middle of a downtown Kankakee block have stood up well as an indelible landmark. However, its relationship to the people it serves and the stories it has generated will undoubtedly be its most enduring legacy. It was in this building that Eva Minor, who earned her law license in 1927 after studying in a lawyer's office, used to represent the railroads... The courthouse lawn has always been a gathering spot. Protests, press conferences, craft fairs, memorial and celebrations have all happened there. ...
  • September 25, 2009
    Courthouse tours: Livingston County Courthouse
    [caption id="attachment_4319" align="alignright" width="225" caption="The Livingston County Courthouse was built in Pontiac in 1875."][/caption]
    • Address: 112 W. Madison, Pontiac
    • Entrance: Northwest side of the building
    • Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    • Year built: 1875
    • Judicial Circuit: 11th (Ford, Logan, McLean, Woodford)
    • Cost: $75,000
    • Architect: J.C.
  • September 11, 2009
    Courthouse tours: The "Million Dollar Courthouse" of Macoupin County
    • [caption id="attachment_3946" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Macoupin County Courthouse was built from 1867-1870 in Carlinville at a cost of $1,342,226.31."][/caption] Address: 210 E. Main, Carlinville
  • September 4, 2009
    Courthouse tours: La Salle County Courthouse
    • [caption id="attachment_3779" align="alignright" width="225" caption="The La Salle County Courthouse was finished in 1883."][/caption] Address: 119 W. Madison, Ottawa
    • Entrance: Front of the building
    • Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    • Year built: 1883
    • Judicial Circuit: 13th (Bureau, Grundy)
    Click here to view the photo tour View previous courthouse tours:
  • August 28, 2009
    Courthouse tours: Greene County Courthouse
    [caption id="attachment_3744" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Greene County Courthouse in Carrollton was built in 1891. Its historic courtroom was restored in 2000 after the roof collapsed."][/caption]
    • Address: 519 N. Main, Carrollton
  • August 21, 2009
    Courthouse tours: 3rd Appellate Court Building and Washington Park
    • [caption id="attachment_3578" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The 3rd Appellate Court Building at 1004 Columbus in Ottawa serves 21 counties."][/caption] Address: 1004 Columbus, Ottawa
    • Entrance: Front of the building
    • Year built: 1860
    • Cost: $230,000 (wings added in 1877)
    • Counties served (21): Bureau, Fulton, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Kankakee, Knox, LaSalle, Marshall, McDonough, Mercer, Putnam, Peoria, Putnam, Rock Island, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will
    • Historic: Part of the Washington Park Historic District that includes Washington Park, site of the 1st Lincoln-Douglas debate on Aug.