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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, As the seat of State government, Springfield is
3 uniquely situated to be the site of a law school focused on
4 government service and law enforcement; and
 
5     WHEREAS, The capital city offers a setting that is rich in
6 both academic resources and practical training for an
7 institution that would meet a current need and enhance future
8 opportunities in the realm of government scholarship and
9 service; and
 
10     WHEREAS, Illinois boasts a proud tradition of quality legal
11 education, but the growing complexity of government's role in
12 society presents challenges that currently are not adequately
13 addressed by the State's institutions of higher learning; and
 
14     WHEREAS, The issues of public service increasingly call for
15 lawyers skilled in forming, administering, enforcing, and
16 interpreting the law on behalf of a citizenry that demands and
17 deserves excellence from its civic servants and institutions;
18 and
 
19     WHEREAS, In Springfield, a law school would have ready
20 access to top-notch libraries and a pool of professional talent
21 from the Illinois Supreme Court, the Illinois Appellate Court,
22 the Illinois Circuit Court, the Federal Courts, the State
23 Library, the General Assembly, State agencies, the University
24 of Illinois at Springfield, and the Sangamon County bar; and
 
25     WHEREAS, A law school curriculum that rigorously tackles
26 the broad range of legal questions facing communities
27 throughout the State would ensure a cadre of alumni superbly
28 equipped to confront Illinois' vital topics in the 21st century
29 and beyond; therefore, be it
 

 

 

SJ0049 - 2 - LRB094 12627 JAM 47442 r

1     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
3 CONCURRING HEREIN, that a task force is created to study the
4 feasibility of establishing a law school in Springfield with a
5 curriculum oriented towards government service and law
6 enforcement and serving students living and working in central
7 Illinois; and be it further
 
8     RESOLVED, That the task force shall consist of 7 members
9 appointed as follows: one member appointed by the Speaker of
10 the House; one member appointed by the House Minority Leader;
11 one member appointed by the President of the Senate; one member
12 appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; one member appointed
13 by the Sangamon County Bar Association; one member appointed by
14 the Illinois Supreme Court; and one member appointed by the
15 Mayor of the City of Springfield; and that the task force shall
16 select a chairperson from among its members, and that the task
17 force shall meet at the call of the chairperson; and be it
18 further
 
19     RESOLVED, That the task force shall consult and coordinate
20 with the Illinois Board of Higher Education in conducting its
21 feasibility study; and be it further
 
22     RESOLVED, That the task force shall submit a report of its
23 study, its conclusions, and its recommendations to the General
24 Assembly as expeditiously as possible.