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 16th 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.
LITTLE RED DRIVING HOOD VIDEO PACKAGE
Recommended for 6th grade and up
Little Red Driving Hood is an educational video that uses a classic fairy tale to introduce audiences to the court and the legal system. The audience is challenged to help a judge decide what is fair by examining the facts of the case as well as their own values.
The video package is available to schools and organizations by request and includes a classroom study guide. The video was produced jointly by the Circuit Court of Cook County and the Illinois Department of Transportation, which funded the production.
Little Red Driving Hood was written by Mary Scruggs and directed by Raul Rosenberg; Milissa Pacelli, supervisor of the Public Affairs staff of the Office of the Chief Judge, was second unit director on the video.
Loosely based on its classic fairy tale counterpart, Little Red Driving Hood transforms the title character into a young teenager with an overly protective mother and an overly indulgent grandmother. When Granny gives Red an exciting new car, Red's mother has to restrain her to wait until she gets her license to drive it. Wolf and a carload of wild teens constantly tempt Red with their exciting lifestyle. When Wolf talks Red into driving her car to take Granny a basket of goodies, they go joy riding instead, drink beer and ultimately get into an accident. Red ends up in traffic court where an on-the-scene television reporter monitors the courtroom action. Although Red is given supervision after pleading guilty to a series of traffic violations, the state denies her driving privileges until she is 21 years old. The scene shifts to the state hearing where Red has petitioned to have the restriction removed. After all testimony is given, the reporter explains that while the decision rests solely with the hearing officer, the audience is asked to give their opinion as to whether Red should be allowed back on the road.
Please send a written request for Little Red Driving Hood that includes a description of the purpose and setting for use of the video (i.e.: school teacher, classroom setting) to:
Honorable Timothy C. Evans Chief Judge Circuit Court of Cook County 50 West Washington Street Room 2600 Chicago, Illinois 60602
Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for a request to be processed. Please note: Little Red Driving Hood is only available on VHS.
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.