The Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, March 15, at 10:30 a.m.

The court periodically holds oral arguments at various locations throughout Illinois to better inform the public on the work it does. According to statements made by Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier in a press release issued by the court, inviting community residents to attend helps demystify the the appellate process, which is often poorly understood — sometimes even by lawyers. He also noted that holding arguments outside of the Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield reminds court members that rulings have a direct and real impact on the state's citizens.

The cases that will be before the court on March 15 are People v. John W. Plank and Institute for Justice et al. v. The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Plank is a direct appeal from a trial court order finding an Illinois statute unconstitutionally vague. The State is appealing the trial court's ruling.

At issue in Institute for Justice et. al. is whether amendments to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act apply to requests made before their enactment, but which were not fulfilled.

The March 15 arguments will mark the first time the court has "rode the circuit" since 2016, when arguments were heard at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Additional details about the program can be found in the supreme court's press release.