The DuPage County Bar Association is celebrating its 125th anniversary this month. The historic event is commemorated in the February issue of the DCBA Brief.
The anniversary also will be alluded to in various scenes of the 29th annual DCBA Judges' Nite performance Friday, Feb. 27, at Wilton Manor, Wheaton. Call (630) 653-7779 for dinner and show reservations.
The DuPage County Bar was founded in February 1879 "to establish and maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of law, to cultivate social intercourse among its members and to increase its usefulness in promoting the due administration of justice."
Elbert Gary, Noah Gary, Hiram Cody and Myron C. Dudley signed the articles of incorporation. The first recorded president of the association was L. C. Cooper, who served in 1909.
Milestones of DCBA history include incorporation in 1972 of a not-for-profit Lawyer Referral Service, which became a permanent committee in 1980. The DuPage Legal Assistance Foundation was incorporated in 1975, and the DuPage County Bar Foundation in 1998.
To celebrate its centennial in 1979, the association purchased a document in Abraham Lincoln's handwriting that was signed in 1858 by both partners in the Springfield firm of Lincoln & Herndon.
On April 17, 1988, the DuPage County Bar moved into its new 12,900-square-foot headquarters building near the 18th Circuit Judicial Center.
Congressman Henry Hyde was honored in 1987 as member number 1300. Others so recornized have been Roland Burris and Dawn Clark Netsch (1400 and 1401 in 1990), Scott Turow (1500 in 1991), Justice John Nickels (1600), Justice Thomas Moran (1700) and Judge Ilana Rovner (1800).
In recent years, DuPage County Bar membership has been maintained at the 2,000 level. The current president, Kevin Millon, is the third member of his Wheaton firm to hold the office. He was preceded by Christine M. Ory and Ralph A. Gabric.
Gabric also was president of the Illinois State Bar Association in 1996-97, as was Wheaton attorney John R. Mackay in 1974-75. Irene F. Bahr of Wheaton is the current ISBA third vice president.
Though Peoria County Bar had three founding dates, it traces roots to 1879
By Stephen Anderson
The Peoria County Bar Association was founded in 1879. And the Peoria County Bar Association was founded in 1888. And the Peoria County Bar Association was founded in 1905.
No matter which may be the official date, the association traces its roots back to 1879 and will celebrate its 125th anniversary Friday, Feb. 20, during the 96th Lincoln Memorial Banquet in the Hotel Pere Marquette.
The first organizational meeting took place Nov. 18, 1879, in a Peoria courtroom. Newly drafted bylaws set the annual dues at $1. The first president, David W. McCulloch, was installed Jan. 13, 1880. He also served as president of the Illinois State Bar Association that year.
Several monthly meetings ensued, and the last recorded meeting in the minute book was held June 8, 1880. There has been no explanation of why the association apparently ceased activity that year.
But eight years later, there was a reorganization that included adoption of a constitution and bylaws nearly identical to the original. Nine members signed the document July 25, 1888, and James H. Sedgwick was elected president on July 28.
The second meeting, held Aug. 14, was adjourned to the second Tuesday in September. No record exists of any subsequent activity.
On Nov. 27, 1905, 23 prominent Peoria lawyers met in the Creve Coeur Club to hear a speech by their colleague, George T. Page, who was president of the Illinois State Bar Association.
Page urged formation of a permanent bar association, and that was accomplished Jan. 8, 1906, with the election of William L. Ellwood as president. A state charter was obtained April 20.
The Peoria County Bar has held a dinner and tribute to Abraham Lincoln almost every year since then. The annual event was inspired by the future president's speech during a debate with Stephen A. Douglas in 1854 at the county courthouse.
Lincoln's statement "Stand with anybody that stands right; stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong" is thought to be the starting point of his quest for the presidency six years later.
The keynote speaker this year is Chief Justice Frank J. Williams of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. His topic is "Abraham Lincoln and Civil Liberties: Then and Now." He is the author of the 2002 book, "Judging Lincoln," which will be available for signing at the banquet.
A graduate of the Boston University School of Law, Williams has been a jurist since 1979 and was an associate justice of superior court from 1995 to 2001.
He has served on the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission since 2000, and is a past president of the Abraham Lincoln Association and the Ulysses S. Grant Association.
Past presidents of the Peoria County Bar have been invited to attend the Lincoln banquet and be recognized for their contributions. Call (309) 674-6049 for reservations.
In addition to David McCulloch and George Page, several Peoria attorneys have served as ISBA presidents up to the tenure of Timothy L. Bertschy in 1998-99 John S. Stevens (1901-02), Clarence W. Heyl (1930-31), Timothy W. Swain (1958-59) and Lyle W. Allen (1972-73).
Advocates Society
Park Ridge attorney Steven A. Kozicki will be installed Thursday, Feb. 26, as president of the Advocates Society. Romuald Matuszczak will receive the Award of Merit during the dinner, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Walnut Room of the Hotel Allegro. Call Kozicki at (847) 686-3111.
Appellate Lawyers
Four Chicago attorneys will recall their "First Arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States" during a luncheon meeting of the Appellate Lawyers Association on Friday, Feb. 20, at the Chicago Athletic Association. Call (312) 554-2090.
The speakers are Fay Clayton of Robinson, Curley & Clayton; Dean Harold Krent of the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Barry Sullivan of Jenner & Block, and Christina Tchen of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.
Appellate Court justices of the 4th District will be honored by the Appellate Lawyers at a luncheon Tuesday, March 9, in Pedersen Pavilion at the University of Illinois College of Law. The court will hear arguments in two appeals that morning at the law school.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Solicitor General Gary Feinerman will address the Appellate Lawyers at the next luncheon meeting Thursday, March 11. They will discuss their roles in representing the state, particularly in appellate litigation.
Black Women Lawyers
The Black Women Lawyers and Cook County Bar Associations will conduct a program, "Road to the Robe: Nuts and Bolts of Election Process," at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Gardner, Carton & Douglas, Chicago.
Bohemian Lawyers
Chicago attorney Lester Munson, associate editor of Sports Illustrated, will speak to the Bohemian Lawyers Association during a dinner Thursday, Feb. 26, at Klas Restaurant, Cicero. Call President David Krula at (630) 369-6616.
Chicago Bar
The Chicago Bar Association will hold a Barristers Big Band Ball at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 13, in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel. Proceeds will benefit Children's Memorial Hospital and the Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Lend-a-Hand Program. Call Kathy McEnroe, (312) 554-2057.
Chicago Bar Foundation
The Chicago Bar Foundation Young Professionals Board and the Greater Chicago chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators will conduct the fourth annual Fat Tuesday Challenge from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at North Beach Chicago. Food, drink, athletic and non-athletic games are planned.
Chicago Legal History
An informational meeting of the Chicago Legal History Society will take place at 4 p.m. Monday, March 8, in room 2104 of the Richard J. Daley Center. Call Judge James F. Henry, (312) 603-3384, for information.
Constitution Society
A luncheon program on legal implications of Guantanamo Bay detainees will be conducted by the American Constitution Society at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at The John Marshall Law School.
Speakers are Mirna Adjami of the Midwest Immigration and Human Rights Center, Colleen K. Connell of the American Civil Liberties Union, and David A. Strauss of the University of Chicago Law School.
Cook County Bar
The sixth annual Barrister's Ball dinner dance of the Cook County Bar Association will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, March 6, at Hickory Hills Country Club. Call (312) 630-1157.
DuPage Bar Foundation
A benefit Candlelight Bowl will be held by the DuPage County Bar Foundation on Friday, March 5, at Wheaton Bowl. An 8 p.m. buffet and silent auction will precede the 9;15 p.m. competition. Call (630) 653-7779.
DuPage Women Lawyers
The annual DuPage Association of Women Lawyers Advocacy Seminar will take place from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the Hilton Hotel, Lisle. Opening statements and closing arguments in civil and criminal cases will be discussed. A reception will follow the seminar. Call President Mary Jo Kelly at (630) 690-5888.
Hispanic Lawyers
The Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois will hold its annual scholarship and awards dinner on Thursday, March 18, at the Westin River North Hotel. Call Karina Ayala-Bermejo at (312) 554-2041.
Inns of Court
The Abraham Lincoln Inn of Court will conduct a panel discussion, "Do Limiting Instructions Work? Do Judges Actually Disregard Improper Evidence?" at 5 p.m. Monday, March 15, at Packard Plaza in Peoria. Speakers are Appellate Justice William E. Holdridge and 10th Circuit Judge James E. Shadid. Program chair is Mark E. Wertz.
Justinians - DuPage
The DuPage County chapter of the Justinian Society will hold its annual St. Joseph's Day dinner Monday, March 8, at Amalfi's Ristorante in Bloomingdale. Call Joseph Laraia at (630) 690-6800.
Lake County Bar
The Lake County Bar Association will present performances of its 2004 Gridiron Show on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27-28, at Midlane Golf Club in Waukegan. A 6 p.m. reception and 7 p.m. dinner will precede the 8 p.m. curtain. Call (847) 244-3143,
North Suburban Bar
The North Suburban Bar Association will present its annual Gary S. Wild Memorial Award to the Center for Disability and Elder Law during a dinner Tuesday, March 9, at Five Seasons Sports Country Club in Northbrook. Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine will be keynote speaker. Call President Jeanine M. Cunningham at (312) 201-0900.
Northwest Suburban Bar
Clinical counselor Tatyana Fertelmeyster will speak to the Northwest Suburban Bar Association during a dinner Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Magnum's Steak House in Rolling Meadows. Her topic is "Gender In and Out of Courtroom: Communications Issues for Legal Professionals. Call (847) 259-7908.
Peoria County Bar
The Peoria County Bar Association office will be the site of a series of brown-bag luncheon seminars each Wednesday during March. Call (309) 674-6049. See story on page 25 about the association's 125th anniversary and Lincoln Memorial Banquet.
Prairie State
"Rockford: The Musical" is the title of the 12th annual Legal Follies benefit for the Rockford office of Prairie State Legal Services. The curtain will rise at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Coronado Theater. Call the box office at (815) 968-5222 for tickets.
The Legal Aid 2004 benefit for Prairie State's Peoria office will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 19, with entertainment by The Shysters. Call Sandra Crow at (309) 674-9831.
Rock Island County
Robert R. Ruud of Sandholm, Alvine & Ruud, Moline, was elected president of the Rock Island County Bar Association during its annual meeting in January. Call Ruud at (309) 762-0727 for information about future activities.
St. Ignatius Prep
The annual law luncheon of the St. Ignatius College Prep Alumni Association will be held Friday, March 12, at the Chicago Athletic Association.
Sangamon County Bar
The Sangamon County Bar Association will hold a wine-tasting reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 4, at Sebastian's in Springfield.
South Suburban Bar
The South Suburban Bar Association dinner at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Glenwood Oaks Restaurant in Glenwood will include a program on emergency medical service reports and paramedics as witnesses.
ISBA President Terrence J. Lavin will speak during the Wednesday, March 17, dinner at Glenwood Oaks. Call Thomas Edwards at (708) 957-1500.
Vermilion County Bar
The Vermilion County Bar Association will meet for luncheon and program Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the Community Room of Old National Bank, Danville.
West Suburban Bar
Deidre A. McGuire will be installed as president of the West Suburban Bar Association during its 62nd annual dinner Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Oak Brook Bath and Tennis Club. Black-tie attire is optional. Call (708) 366-1122.
Will County Bar
Candidates for state's attorney have been invited to speak to the Will County Bar Association during a luncheon forum Thursday, Feb. 19, at Al's Steak House in Joliet. Call (815) 726-0383.
Winnebago County Bar
Members of the Winnebago County Bar Association are mourning the recent death of former executive director Pat Peterson. She received the association's first Seely Forbes Award.
Women's Bar of Illinois
The Women's Bar Association of Illinois will celebrate its 90th anniversary from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, at the Chicago Historical Society. Past president and historian Charlotte Adelman will receive the first Mary Ann McMorrow Award for dedicated service. Call (312) 341-8530.