Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission

08/04/2026

George Anastaplo was denied his Illinois law license in 1950 for refusing to answer a question about membership in the Communist Party. Read more about his attempt to become a lawyer in this July Courts Connect article. https://www.illinoiscourthistory.org/courts-connect/

08/03/2026

The fund carries forward the charitable intent of Benjamin K. Miller, former Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, by supporting causes important to him, including assistance for women in need. Details ⬇️

07/23/2026

The Fifth District Appellate Courthouse in Mount Vernon is noted as a historically significant structure by the National Register of Historic Places. The design was inspired by Greek Revival architecture. Built in 1857, the courthouse is still in use today.

07/20/2026

We had a fantastic turn out for the Party at the Capitol 250th Anniversary event. We gave tours to folks from Portugal, Norway, Iowa, and New York! We also got a few pictures of the Big Boy, the world's largest operating steam locomotive!

07/16/2026

Join us this Friday and Saturday for public tours of the Supreme Court of Illinois and our Learning Center in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of our Independence. Tours will run both days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 200 E. Capitol Street in Springfield. The Illinois State Museum, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Capitol, and the Illinois State Library will also be open and offering special tours, programs and exhibits! See the full schedule: https://www.illinoiscourthistory.org/News/1044/America-250-Celebrating-the-Story-of-Illinois-and-the-United-States/news-detail/

07/15/2026

Our Director of History Programs Dr. Samuel Wheeler will be speaking at the Historical Society of Quincy and Adams County this Sunday at 2 p.m. on slavery in Illinois. Check it out!

Next in our Journey to Freedom programming: Join Dr. Samuel Wheeler, Director of History Programs at the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, as he discusses how slavery was viewed in the Prairie State and the legal stance Illinois took. *Venue is subject to change. Please check....

07/13/2026

The ISCHPC will be celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Story with our fellow institutions on the Capitol Complex from 10 - 4 p.m. on Friday July 17th through Saturday July 18th. We will be offering tours of the Illinois Supreme Court building and our Learning Center! Come out and join us!
Full Event Schedule:
https://www.ilsos.gov/.../america-250-illinois-pivotal...

07/10/2026

The recent Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning provides a dramatic account of the 1881 assassination of President James A. Garfield by Charles J. Guiteau, an Illinois lawyer. Learn more in our Courts Connect article.https://illinoiscourthistory.org/Resources/1bd7693d-3c50-41b0-83ec-8b76b6817786/2026-02%20SC%20History-Charles%20Guiteau.pdf

07/08/2026

The 2nd Judicial District Appellate Courthouse in Elgin, Illinois is a prime example of Mid-Continent Modern architecture. Learn more about this unique courthouse in this month's Court Connect article by our Director John Lupton.

Illinois courthouse architecture evolved from simple log cabins to frame structures to...