PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief Judge Evans announces dates for court's annual Black History Month Courthouse Tours

Released On 01/29/2002

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans today announced the Annual Circuit Court of Cook County Black History Month Courthouse Tours will be held on February 13, 14, and 15, 2002, at the Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street in Chicago. Joining the Circuit Court of Cook County in cosponsoring the tours are the Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., the Cook County Bar Association, and the Illinois Judicial Council.

"The court's Black History Month Courthouse Tours underscore the court's commitment to increasing minority access to the court," said Chief Judge Evans. "One sure way in which we increase that access is to provide residents of Cook County's ethnic and minority communities with a firsthand opportunity to expand their knowledge of court facilities and personnel, and of how the court system works," said Chief Judge Evans.

Highlights of the Black History Month Courthouse Tours include a viewing of the court's juror orientation video, a visit to a courtroom to observe a trial in progress, and a meeting with a Circuit Court judge for an informal presentation. Tour participants also receive a copy of the court's information 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 Circuit Court of Cook County Black History Month Courthouse Tours are part of court's year-round Community Heritage Month Courthouse Tour series which combine public education activities with national and local observances marking racial and ethnic diversity. Initiated in 1999, the tour series are also held during Arab Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Italian Heritage Month, Polish American Heritage Month, Puerto Rican Heritage Month, and Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month. The tours have been attended by hundreds of Cook County residents.

Individuals and groups planning on attending one of the Circuit Court of Cook County Black History Month Courthouse Tours may contact one of the court's African American community liaisons, Melanie Wheeler at (312) 603-3587, or the Circuit Court of Cook County's Public Affairs Office at (312) 603-1927 on or before February 11, 2002. Tours will depart at 10:00 a.m. from the Daley Center's west lobby located on the Clark Street side.

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