Fighting Hate Since 1970: Morris Dees is Honored by Chicago’s Decalogue Society of Lawyers
Morris Dees, the co-founder and lawyer of the Southern Poverty Law Center, was honored at the Union League Club of Chicago by the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. The event held on March 2, 2010 at the Union League Club of Chicago was attended by Cook County judges, elected officials and members of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, the Union League Club of Chicago and the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The Decalogue Merit Award was awarded to Mr. Dees for his tireless work in fighting hate groups ranging from the Klu Klux Klan to the White Aryan Resistance. Mr. Dees was responsible for numerous victories against hate groups, including a $6 million judgment that bankrupt the Aryan nations, a $12.5 million jury verdict against the California-based White Aryan Resistance for the death of a black student, and a $26 million verdict against the Carolina Klan for burning black churches.
However, these victories did not come without a price. In 1983, the Klansman burned the Southern Poverty Law Center's offices. And while the arsonists were convicted, their leader almost successfully fulfilled a plot to kill Mr. Dees. Over the years, more than 30 men have been imprisoned for plots to harm Morris Dees or destroy the Southern Poverty Law Center property. This continued threat requires a high degree of security during public appearances.
At the competition, twelve performers ranging in age from 14 to 27 competed for a total of $17,000 in prize money. And although this was a competition for a cash prize, it was also a safe venue for emerging young musicians to showcase their unbelievable talents. 
The forum took its inspiration from a new book entitled 
The event was hosted by moderator 
The candidates included 
According to the publishers of Illinois Super Lawyers 2010, there is a three-step process for deciding whether or not a candidate makes the cut. First, candidates must be nominated by their peers or hand-selected by 
Chicago offers many activities to enjoy the holidays and the crisp winter weather. Here are some highlights of holiday activities to do in and around Chicago.
The Civic & Arts Foundation (CAF) is dedicated to sponsoring and supporting young artists in the Chicago community. The CAF not only hosts artistic competitions and concerts, but also provides civic services such as legal services, supportive services for recently divorced parents and children, and civic education. 
Attorney Kreisman and his fellow principals for the day were greeted by B.E.S.T. High School's principal, Camille Covington, Ed.D. Assistant principal Roberto Paredes led a group of “principals for a day” through the school, including visits to different ongoing classes and introductions to students and teachers. Of particular interest was that B.E.S.T. High School was undergoing College Day, which is a day when numerous universities and colleges showcase the opportunities they can offer the students. The students were invited to engage in discussions about their future at these colleges and universities.
According to its President George P. Mitchell, the NAACP has lasted for 100 years because it has been effective and it’s no wonder that "the oldest, the boldest, the most feared, the most revered, the most cussed and discussed civil rights organization” continues to exist. 
The film, directed by Adam Rodgers, has been showcased at various locations nationwide, including screenings at both 
Patrick Collins was appointed by 
The AAJ program involved analyses of the participating lawyers' real cases that were coming up for trial. The workshop included a variety of legal cases, including 
The event was well attended by Union League Club members, including Chicago civil justice attorney 
This past Sunday, 
The 
Moot Court is an activity where law students participate in simulated appellate court proceedings. However, moot court is actually more challenging than real appellate proceedings because students have to argue both sides of the critical issues in the case. The John Marshall Law School law students will be arguing both the appellant's position and the appellee's position in the national competition to be held in Cincinnati. 
CHANGE Illinois is represented by leaders of civic, business, professional and philanthropic organizations and other leaders of Chicago and Illinois communities. 
The impetus behind the meeting was to promote ideas from the citizenry of this north Cook County area on local, state and national movements to improve the status of healthcare eligibility and coverage. The attendees were divided into small discussion groups that focused on different topics. 
Attorneys practicing civil justice traveled from all over the United States to attend the meetings. Different seminars were available each day from Saturday, February 7 through Wednesday, February 11, 2009. At the birth trauma litigation group’s full day seminar, attendees were treated to new developments in electronic fetal monitoring tracing and other issues in medicine, nursing, and hospital practices. 
Given what the last 6 years has brought the state, most would agree that the new Illinois governor, its 41st, has the right attitude for the job. But Illinois' political history is brimming with stories of corruption dating back decades. The time for reform is ripe.
The two pieces were created by Chapungu artists and represent the vast wealth of human talent among the Zimbabwe people. This talent has long been recognized throughout the world and Chicago. In 2003 Chicago's Garfield Park and the Botanic Gardens of Chicago displayed similar sculptures by Chapungu artists, along with other exhibits and presentations celebrating Zimbabwe's culture. 
The gala brunch was sponsored by the Union League's Public Affairs Committee. As I entered I was handed a small American flag and button to kick off the festivities. In addition to the buffet brunch, several televisions were provided so that everyone could get a prime view of the main event. The atmosphere was electric when the time came for the swearing-in and the inauguration speech by President Obama. 
At a more personal level, I am grateful to my staff for all their hard work this past year. Time and time again they show me their commitment to 
A total of 60 turkeys were cooked this year to feed the over 100 St. Louis homeless or facility residents who gathered at the Salvation Army. The feast was complete with ample portions of dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course, desserts. The atmosphere was festive and joyful as everyone gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving. 
This past Saturday the 
Even though I reside in Illinois I decided to serve in Dayton, Ohio on Election Day. Given the voter difficulties in recent presidential elections, particularly in the states of Florida and Ohio, I felt that I would be most useful in Ohio. I was assigned to the Dixon Wellness Worship Center, the polling place for Dayton's Precinct 14-I. My job was to work outside of the polling place and answer any voting questions. 
Representative Kirk, the Republican incumbent, said he was pro-choice, pro-environment and pro-education. He said that the Washington Post voted him the eighth most independent member of Congress. Kirk said that he opposed President Bush 59% of the time according to the Congressional Quarterly.
Dan Seals, Democrat, is making his second attempt to unseat his opponent. Seals repeatedly linked Kirk with President George W. Bush, citing that Kirk voted with the Bush Administration 90% of the time. Seals attacked Kirk for voting against the equal pay for woman in the workplace bill, also known as the Paycheck Fairness Act.
The award luncheon was started in 2000 by former law clerks to Justice Stevens. Justice Stevens has served on the Supreme Court bench for 33 years (he was nominated by then President Gerald Ford in 1975 to take the place of retiring Justice William O. Douglas), and is approaching the all-time record for service. The justice appeared well and delivered his remarks in a robust and strong-voiced delivery that could be associated with a much younger person.
Illinois House Representative. Jim Durkin spoke for Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain. Since 2007 Durkin has been co-chairing Senator McCain's presidential campaign in Illinois. Born and bred in Illinois Rep. Durkin's background in both politics and the Chicago region he was selected as one who is knowledgeable of Senator McCain's plans and goals. 
The piles of college mail gathering dust on my kitchen counter, agonizing career-planning meetings with my counselor, and the cornucopia of job fairs taking place each weekend all had me thinking. Each time I ripped open another envelope, sat down for another discussion, or wandered aimlessly about the aisles of a fair, I felt hopelessly lost. How am I expected to choose my career path based on a few pamphlets or a couple pieces of advice? As a rising senior in a Chicago area high school, I finally realized that what I really needed was what hours in a high school classroom could never give me: hands-on experience.
The fun kicks off early in Chicago with its annual Taste of Chicago. Starting on June 27th thousands of people flocked to Chicago's lakefront to partake in the many and varied vendors. There are the old standbys, like the traditional cheesecake from Eli's Cheesecake, deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, or the huge turkey leg from Helen's Restaurant. But for me no trip to the Taste would be complete without a waffle cone overflowing with rainbow ice cream from the Original Rainbow Cone. And of course, any time you need a break from the endless rows of vendors you can veer off the main drag and listen to the many bands the Taste offers. Or you can just take a step back and people watch. The Taste attracts all sorts- from kids filling up their lazy summer days, out-of-town visitors trying to get a sense of Chicago, serious foodies with an extensive rating system for all the booths, or the suit-wearing business people running over for a quick bite during lunch. The Taste truly has it all and is a perfect way to jump start the July 4th festivities. 
The streets close down as millions of people make their way to Chicago's lakefront to stake out their spot for watching the show. Hours beforehand you can see endless streams of people flooding the streets, all moving in the same direction. Then as it approaches 9:30 p.m. the crowds slowly start to settle as people find their way to their patch of grass. Then all eyes look towards the sky as it begins to erupt in color and sound. This year was perhaps the best display I've seen as each year Chicago strives to top its previous performances. The wide range of vibrant colors and different types of explosions, and all put to music, truly makes for an overwhelming experience that culminates in the intense spectacle of the finale. After it was over I looked around and saw the same awe and wonder on the face of everyone around me- no matter what your background or age the fireworks made an impression.
Then on the 4th itself there are several local parades to choose from. I attended the Evanston parade. It was a glorious day, loaded with floats, marching bands, politicians, school groups, theater companies, children by dozens, tumblers and just nice people handing out cold bottles of water to the more than 100 groups making up the parade. By the 2 p.m. start of the parade the curbs were lined four and five deep with families, friends and dogs. People on roller blades, bicycles, stilts and motor bikes were evident. The sun was out, the humidity was low and the enthusiasm abounded. The strength of the gathering may not have only been in the numbers who marched or watched, but in its diversity. The paraders and the viewers represented literally every imaginable group, religion, creed, organization, cause, preference, economic background, race and view.
On Sunday, May 18, 2008, thousands of walkers turned out for Walk Now for Autism, a 5k walk to raise funds for autism research. Bob Kreisman, Yolanda Flores, and Catherine Russell of Kreisman Law Offices were all in attendance, each contributing in their own way.
Yolanda showed up at 6:00 a.m., two hours before registration opened, to help organize the tents and booths in preparation for the busy day. Once walkers began to arrive Yolanda headed up the t-shirt booth, handing out box upon box of t-shirts to participants over the course of the next several hours. And through the long day she always had a smile on her face and kept the atmosphere of the t-shirt booth light and fun.
Bob and Catherine both participated in the walk itself. The 5k (3.1 mile) course started at Soldier Field, then looped along Chicago's lakefront before backtracking to Soldier Field. The course was full of families and friends of children with autism that came out to show their support for both their loved ones and for the organization itself. Oftentimes individual groups could be distinguished by t-shirts they wore or large banners with slogans and messages of support and love. Despite the large number of people there was not a cross word to be heard- everyone was happy and excited to be involved.
In addition to the walk itself there were several activities and booths for the children, including several bounce houses, games, and music. And since one of the purposes of the walk is to raise autism awareness there is also a Resource Fair. Essentially Walk Now for Autism is a perfect blend of activities, information and fun.
Walk Now for Autism is sponsored by Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to raising awareness for autism and researching causes, prevention and treatment for autism. Autism is a brain disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate and develop social relationships. Oftentimes the disease is accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. Currently 1 in 150 children are diagnosed with autism, which represents a tenfold increase over the last decade. To find out more about Autism Speaks visit www.autismspeaks.org.
