The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission will be hosting a gala on October 9 to commemorate the bicentennial of the judicial branch at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. 

The event starts at 6:30 p.m.

The gala will feature keynote speaker Scott Turow, an attorney with Dentons who is also a renowned author. Turow has published 10 bestselling works of fiction, including "Presumed Innocent" and "The Burden of Proof." He is also the author of two nonfiction books, including "One L," which is about his experience as a law student. Turow's books have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Tickets are available for $150 apiece by contacting John Lupton at (217) 670-0890,  Ext. 1 or at john.lupton@illinoiscourthistory.org. Seating is limited.

The gala marks the 200th anniversary of justices serving on the Illinois Supreme Court bench. The first four justices were appointed by the Illinois General Assembly on October 19, 1818, in Illinois’ then-state capital of Kaskaskia.   

The gala is one of several bicentennial activities sponsored by the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission is also circulating a traveling exhibit across the state, as well as publishing books and articles highlighting its legal history.

The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission was established in 2007 to assist and advise the Supreme Court of Illinois in acquiring, collecting, preserving, and cataloging documents, artifacts, and information relating to the Illinois judiciary.  The Commission seeks to accomplish its work in partnership with historical and cultural institutions; bar associations; universities; law schools; and federal, state, and local agencies.