HR0595 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0595 LRB101 14195 MST 63066 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The boards of trustees of the University of Illinois and The John Marshall Law School have voted to approve the acquisition of The John Marshall Law School by the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the first entering class of the new UIC John Marshall Law School is expected to matriculate in fall 2019; and

WHEREAS, The UIC John Marshall Law School will be the only public law school located in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, The University of Illinois at Chicago is the city's only public research university, is one of the most diverse research universities in the country, and is an integral part of Chicago's educational, technological, and cultural fabric; and

WHEREAS, The John Marshall Law School, founded in 1899, has been a pioneer in legal education with top-ranked programs in lawyering skills, trial advocacy, and intellectual property; it is one of the most diverse law schools in the country and has a long history of giving back to the community by providing pro bono legal services; and

WHEREAS, Both the University of Illinois at Chicago and The John Marshall Law School have track records of excellence in research and scholarship, access for underserved students, and service to Chicago and its people; and

WHEREAS, The acquisition will create opportunities for interdisciplinary courses and new joint and dual-degree programs aligned with UIC strengths in multiple disciplines, such as the health sciences, engineering and technology, urban planning and public administration, social sciences, and business; and

WHEREAS, University of Illinois at Chicago students will benefit from expanded research and program offerings, such as access to law courses and opportunities to take classes jointly taught by law school and other UIC faculty; and

WHEREAS, The acquisition will provide current and prospective Illinois law students with a more affordable legal education and enhanced student services, including access to health care services, recreational facilities, residence halls, and college athletics; and

WHEREAS, The establishment of the UIC John Marshall Law School complements other university efforts to advance innovation and opportunity in higher education, such as the recent openings of UIC's Engineering Innovation Building and Academic and Residential Complex to address UIC's continued growth and record enrollment gains; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support the establishment of Chicago's public law school, the UIC John Marshall Law School; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the UIC John Marshall Law School.