PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Judge Evans announces Annual Black History Month Courthouse Tours

Released On 01/18/2008

Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced the Annual Black History Month Courthouse Tours of the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, Chicago, will take place on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, through Friday, February 22, 2008, and the following week from Monday, February 25, 2008, through Wednesday, February 27, 2008.

"I thank the court’s tour co-sponsors, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., the Cook County Bar Association, and the Illinois Judicial Council, for their dedication and commitment in helping us to meet public demand for this event," said Chief Judge Evans.

The tours offer the public a sense of the day-to-day operations in one of the nation’s largest unified court systems. Highlights of the tour include a visit to a courtroom to observe a trial in progress, an informal presentation by a Circuit Court judge, and a meeting with bar association representatives.

Tour participants 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 services.

The Annual Circuit Court of Cook County Black History Month Courthouse Tours are part of the court’s year-round Community Heritage Month Courthouse Tour series which combines public education activities with national and local observances marking racial and ethnic diversity. Tours are also held during Arab Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month, Italian Heritage Month, Polish Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and on Puerto Rican Heritage Day. The tours have been attended by thousands of Cook County residents.

Individuals or groups planning on attending the Annual Circuit Court of Cook County Black History Month Courthouse Tours may contact Melanie Wheeler, the court’s African American Community Liaison, at 312.603.3587 or the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Public Affairs Office at 312.603.1927 on or before Thursday, February 14, 2008. Tours are limited to persons age ten and older, with a maximum of 35 persons to a group. Reservations are recommended. The tours will depart at 10 a.m. from the Daley Center’s west lobby located on the Randolph and Clark Street side of the building.

For more information about courthouse tours and other programs and services of the Circuit Court of Cook County, visit www.cookcountycourt.org.