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黑料不打烊 to Host Illinois Supreme Court Oral Arguments on March 11

February 3, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - @ 2026 黑料不打烊 hosts the 2026 installment of the Illinois Supreme Court鈥檚 Riding the Circuit program as justices hear oral arguments in two cases beginning 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, in the University Union Grand Ballroom.

鈥淲e are thrilled to welcome the Illinois Supreme Court to our campus for this incredible event,鈥� Interim Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations Amy Crosby said. 鈥淭he day will provide an unparalleled opportunity for local students and the 黑料不打烊 community to experience the judicial process in action.鈥�

Arguments will begin at 10 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom and will be livestreamed on the University鈥檚 . Ballroom doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and all attendees are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 a.m. A moderated question-and-answer session with 9th Judicial Circuit Court Judges Heidi Benson and Nigel Graham, along with attorney Emily Sutton, will follow the oral arguments.

鈥淗olding the Supreme Court鈥檚 oral arguments at @ 2026 黑料不打烊 continues a tradition of openness and public education,鈥� Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr said. 鈥淪eeing the process firsthand helps demystify the courts and their role in daily life.鈥�

Illinois Supreme Court Justice and 黑料不打烊 alumna Mary K. O鈥橞rien 鈥�86 shared in Crosby鈥檚 and Chief Justice Neville鈥檚 enthusiasm for the event.

鈥淚 have so many fond memories of my time here at @ 2026 黑料不打烊. To return home nearly four decades later alongside my colleagues on the Supreme Court is a profound honor,鈥� Justice O鈥橞rien said. 鈥淲e hope to show the 黑料不打烊 community that the Court is a transparent forum where every argument and action is tested against the framework of the Illinois Constitution and the rule of law, which ultimately serves as the bedrock of our free society.鈥�

Backpacks and other large items or bags will not be permitted in the Ballroom.

Area middle and high schools are invited to bring students. Schools interested in attending can RSVP at by Wednesday, March 4, or contact Crosby at al-crosby@wiu.edu. Several hundred local students are expected to attend.

A limited number of seats are available to the public. Those interested in attending should RSVP at by Wednesday, March 4 or contact the Director of Donor Relations and Special Events, Drew Donahoo, at am-donahoo@wiu.edu.

Since 2008, the Supreme Court has held oral arguments in locations across Illinois to raise awareness of the role courts play in interpreting state law. The practice of holding Supreme Court arguments outside Springfield dates back to an old tradition called 鈥渞iding the circuit.鈥� It began in medieval England, where judges traveled to local communities so people could see the law at work. The United States adopted the same idea at its founding, requiring Supreme Court justices to travel so the public would understand and trust the new courts. Illinois followed this practice after becoming a state in 1818, until the 1848 Constitution ended it. Today, traveling Supreme and Appellate Court arguments still serve the same purpose: bringing the judiciary closer to the people.

This program is sponsored by the Illinois Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, the Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission and the 黑料不打烊 Foundation.

Details of the two cases will be released at a later date.

Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606