Tours
Tours have been temporarily suspended until further notice.
Richard J. Daley Center 50 West Washington Street Chicago, Illinois 60602
Tours: Law Division Jury Trial (grades 5 and up)
Domestic Relations Division Tour (grades 10 and up)
(Please note: Tours cannot be combined. )
Law Division Jury Trial Tour
(cannot be combined with Domestic Relations Division Tour)
For 5th through 8th grades: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday – Friday
For 9th grade and up: 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday – Friday
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 Accessibility and Education Outreach at (312) 603-1928.
Domestic Relations Division Tour
(cannot be combined with a Law Division Jury Tour)
For 10th Grade and up: 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday – Friday
This tour features a visit to a Domestic Relations Division trial courtroom and hearing room where dissolution of marriage and civil union matters (also known as divorce) are heard. Court proceedings that will be observed include prove ups, in which parties agree on the terms of the divorce; divorce trials, where parties do not agree on some or all terms of the divorce; and post decree matters, where one party wants a change in the terms of the divorce, which can include but is not limited to child custody, child support, or college tuition.
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.
George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building 2600 South California Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60608
For 8th grade: 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday – Friday
For 9th grade and up: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
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.
Sixth Municipal District Courthouse 16501 South Kedzie Parkway Markham, Illinois 60428
For 5th – 8th Grade: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Monday – Friday
For 9th Grade and up: 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Monday – Friday
This tour features an overview of the judicial system, a visit to a Sixth Municipal District courtroom to view a trial in progress, and a follow-up discussion.
Reservations are required.
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, 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:
Now in their 18th 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) 603-1927.
Circuit Court of Cook County Office of Accessibility and Education Outreach 69 West Washington Street, 33rd Floor Chicago, Illinois 60602 (312) 603-1927 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Supervisor: Marta Almodovar Media Inquiries
Domestic Violence Courthouse 555 West Harrison Street Chicago, Illinois 60607
For 9th grade and up: 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
· offered when court is in session,
· limited to persons age 13 (ninth grade) and older
· no more than 20 persons to a group, including teachers and chaperones
· includes an overview of the judicial system and visits to civil and criminal courtrooms
· includes an opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of court proceedings, based on the availability of the judge This tour features a visit to a Domestic Violence Division courtroom where criminal and civil cases are heard. Court proceedings that may be observed include:
· petitions for orders of protection
· bond hearings
· return hearings on orders of protection
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. Inquire about items that are prohibited in the courthouse when making reservations.
To book a tour: Call the Presiding Judge’s Office at (312) 325-9000.