Two weeks left for entries in District Court's Justice Inspired contest

Admittedly, the first half of this sentiment probably won't make the cut in this year's courthouse beautification initiative called Justice Inspired, sponsored by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association:

via GIPHY

Although... the world would be a whole lot better place if more people were excellent to each other.

But I digress, and time grows short.

The District Court and the FBA are inviting all kindergarten through grade 12 teachers to engage their students in submitting quotes on behalf of their classes or classrooms that will be engraved and installed on walls inside of the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse. (Thus, sentiments that do 'make the cut' really will.) Teachers may submit one quote per class or classroom.

The Court and FBA are seeking quotes that inspire justice, peace, equality, fairness, inclusion, redemption, freedom, community, and other ideals and/or reflect upon the significance of debate, the law, courts, and the constitution to democracy and to our nation. Quote sources may include but are not limited to historical and contemporary figures, literary works, or musical compositions.

Teachers are encouraged to use the project to engage students in the following:

• when studying the works of a particular artist, musician, or writer,
• when learning the biography of historic or contemporary figure,
• when examining history, or
• when discussing contemporary issues and current events.

Classes that submit a winning quote will be awarded, c/o the teacher, a $450 Amazon gift card and a replica of their recommended quote.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, February 16, 2024.

Submissions should be emailed using the submission form. Click HERE to download the entry form.

Email completed entry forms to: Education@ilnd.uscourts.gov

A committee comprised of Judges from the Northern District of Illinois, members of the FBA and members of the Northern District of Illinois Historical Association will select from among the submitted classroom entries. Winners will be notified the week of March 4, 2024.

There are, of course, some provisos, a, a couple of quid pro quos: Schools must be in the Northern District of Illinois. The Northern District of Illinois includes the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, La Salle, Will, Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago.

Teachers may submit one entry per classroom or class period. Quotes should be no more than 25 words, not including the source of the quote. If duplicate entries of a single quote are submitted by multiple teachers and that quote is selected as a winning quote, the quote with the best reason as to why it was chosen will be deemed the winner.

I am keenly aware that most FWIW readers are not K-12 teachers. But I would bet that FWIW readers have family members who are, or neighbors, or friends. Share this with them. And, if the above and foregoing rules and regulations are insufficient to answer any lingering questions your teacher friends and relations may have, email inquiries may be directed to Lauren_Thiel@ilnd.uscourts.gov.