Courthouse Educational Tours

We appreciate your interest in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit and look forward to your visit. Our goal is to expose groups of students to live court proceedings, along with the opportunity to interact with courtroom personnel, including a judge, if time and scheduling permit. 

As an agency that responds to a variety of matters, we cannot pre-determine what the group may observe or guarantee the types of cases that may be heard. Participants should be aware that some cases may be sensitive, if needed, observers may quietly exit the courtroom to sit in the hallway during proceedings. While court is open to the public, it is unlikely that students younger than high school age will be brought to an active courtroom.

Groups are limited to a maximum of 25 students and chaperones. Larger groups are challenging to manage and may not fit comfortably into active courtrooms, which require court staff, as well as attorneys, victims, defendants, plaintiffs, respondents, and support for those involved in the court system.

Before you arrive with your group, please ensure that the Courthouse Security Brief is read and reviewed in its entirety:    https://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/1464/Courthouse-Security-Brief *Liquids are prohibited.

Please note that the Court only schedules time for itself, not with our justice partners (i.e., Circuit Clerk, Coroner's Office, Jail, Public Defender,  Sheriff's Office, State's Attorney, etc.). Teachers or coordinators will need to contact the individual elected officials' offices to arrange a time with them.

Additionally, no technology is allowed inside the courtrooms; this local rule is enforced.  Photography, video, and audio capturing are strictly prohibited in the court environs: https://19thcircuitcourt.state.il.us/1972/Part-400-Media.

Please identify, in your booking, special accommodations or needs any member of your group may have.

All requests for educational tours must be booked through this booking link:   https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/G14b98bd339f548f387717a7fb1988d42@LakeCountyIL.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

For questions or concerns not addressed above, please email Kasey Morgan at kmorgan@lakecountyil.gov.