Sycamore students observe government in action while Illinois Supreme Court docks in DeKalb – Shaw Local

DeKALB – Some students at Sycamore High School did not show up to class Thursday morning. Instead, they were busy hearing oral arguments in front of the Illinois Supreme Court on the campus of Northern Illinois University.

The Illinois Supreme Court heard two cases, People v. Flournoy and Andrew W. Levenfeld & Assock. v. O'Brien – inside the NIU Holmes Student Center, 340 Carroll Ave. in DeKalb, in front of an audience of several hundred including high school students, undergraduates and law school students.

One of those students was Sycamore High School senior Nate Miller. He and dozens of other students who participate in the school's Government Youth Club were granted permission to skip classes to watch the Supreme Court case.

“We just had our annual gathering in Springfield a few weeks ago and heard this was coming to DeKalb,” said Miller, 17. He is working again with the Legislature. So we thought it would be really cool to see the judicial side of government. ”

John Lupton, executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, said the “Ride the Circuit” event harkens back to a bygone era when the Illinois Supreme Court would occasionally travel to hear cases. He said he would.

“The Supreme Court likes to put on a show in public. It's a program called 'Ride the Circuit,' and it's basically the Illinois Supreme Court actually hearing trial-level cases. It's a reminder of the old days, when we would travel to the county to hear cases,” Lupton said. “Obviously, we will no longer hear trial-level cases, but we have decided to put on a show and hear oral arguments in two cases at venues outside of Springfield.”

The “Ride the Circuit” event began in 2014 and was held annually until the court's public assistance program was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lupton said the event will be brought back at Chicago State University in 2023.

Lupton said the attendance record for the event is about 600 people, but he believes a new record may have been set at NIU on Thursday.

“About 700 people are expected to attend the oral arguments before the Supreme Court, which is really impressive,” Lupton said. “If we get over 600 people, I think we'll break the attendance record. That's a credit to NIU and its staff, and the local universities, the local high schools, and the outreach they've done.” your community. ”

Kristin Miller, one of Sycamore High School's Youth in Government Club advisors, called the day a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the students.

“[It’s] “This has never happened in our community before, so I'm excited to bring my kids today to witness DeKalb County history,” said Christine Miller.

Kristin Miller led the fourth grade students, and she said all of them were particularly interested in learning about government and law.

Nate Miller, one of Kristin Miller's students, echoed her feelings as she waited to enter the event.

“I think it's pretty cool because it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Nate Miller said. “Obviously, the Illinois Supreme Court rarely leaves Springfield to come to a place like NIU. So I think this is a very interesting experience and one that not many people get. ”