Adams County Bar Association Contact: Jennifer A. Winking, Law Day Committee Chairman Adams County Bar Association 625 Vermont Street Quincy, IL 62301 Email: slpsd@rnet.com Teaching and Learning About the Law Activity Summary: Adams County, IL, celebrated Law Day with a variety of activities. Area elementary students toured the courthouse and learned about the functions of each office. The Quincy Police Department demonstrated the skills of its emergency response team, bike unit and drug dog. The Youth Court performed mock trials for students. Attorneys donated their time to give free legal advice to the public at “No Bills” Day, named for the fact that no one receives a bill for the legal consultation that day. The culminating event was a luncheon sponsored by the Bar Association where the annual Liberty Bell Award was presented. Activity Narrative: The Adams County Bar Association has consistently sponsored Law Day activities since the pronouncement of Law Day in 1961. Each year we strive to involve the public in the recognition of this country’s legal system. All of the events are geared toward not only teaching the public about our legal system, but constantly learning about it ourselves. This year we began by reaching out to area elementary students by sponsoring several activities. Speakers were sent to the schools to make presentations focusing on equal protection of the laws. Approximately 500 students took advantage of this opportunity to learn by attending a courthouse tour. The tour included demonstrations by the Quincy Police Department, Emergency Response Team, Bike Unit and Drug Dog. Members of the Sheriff’s Department and attorneys guided the tours and provided explanations regarding the functions of the judge, jury, attorneys, court reporters and bailiffs in the courtroom. Following the courthouse tour, members of the Adams/Pike County Youth Court program presented a mock trial wherein students were picked for the jury. Students were encouraged throughout the tour and demonstrations to ask questions. The Adams County Bar Association also aims to reach adult members of the general public as well as students. We sponsored an annual “No Bills” day held at the Quincy Mall. Because these consultations are free, the event was named “No Bills” day. Attorneys from the Bar Association volunteer their time to answer any question which the individual may have in a free, confidential consultation. The final event was a Luncheon sponsored by the Bar Association which featured as a speaker Justice Sue Myerscough of the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court. Justice Myerscough spoke of the necessity for members of the legal community to educate the public about the law. The Luncheon was well received and attended by 160 people. At the Luncheon, the Mayor proclaimed May 1, 1999 to be Law Day U.S.A. in the city of Quincy. Each year at the Luncheon, a Liberty Bell Award is presented to someone who has made a significant contribution to the law. This year the annual Liberty Bell Award was presented to a Quincy attorney, Mr. Owen Mays, for his fifty years of service to the Bar in an exemplary fashion. He was honored with a nomination from his former partner, who is currently a member of the judiciary, who considered Mr. Mays a quiet role model for all members of the profession. Each year for the past thirty years, the Adams County Bar Association has publicly recognized individuals for commitment and service to the legal profession. It is not necessarily a recognition of attorneys. In fact, in many years the awards have been presented to non-attorneys and businesses who have made a significant contribution to the profession. Although the Adams County Bar Association sponsors the events, the success is due to the cooperative efforts of the Bar Association, the members of the bench, the Adam/Pike County Youth Court, the Quincy Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Department. Everyone’s time is donated to support these worthwhile activities. Our annual budget is a mere $500, which demonstrates how dedicated we are to volunteering time to make Law Day special in Adams County, Illinois. Each year the Adams County Bar Association begins its preparation for these events in January and work diligently until May 1st. We are proud to have sponsored activities for the past thirty years and will continue to develop new activities for future celebrations of this country’s legal system. Sample Programs Home | By Audience | By Location | By Sponsoring Organization