SPRINGFIELD, IL, March 6, 2024 –Teams from 50 high schools throughout the State will participate in the 41st Annual Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) High School Mock Trial Invitational on March 16 and 17, 2024, at the University of Illinois in Springfield.

The top eight teams will compete in the final round on March 17 for the state championship. The winner will represent Illinois at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Wilmington, Delaware.

"The Mock Trial Competition allows students from throughout Illinois to learn about the judicial system in a unique and challenging way by taking a role in its most participatory function, being an attorney or a witness in a trial. The competition further provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in analytical and rhetorical skills and to display those skills by incorporating them in presenting persuasive and strategic questions and arguments. Taking part in this event improves self-confidence, builds and fosters working as a team, and improves public speaking skills, all of which will serve the students well regardless of their future career paths,” says Hon. John J. O’Gara, of Belleville, chair of the ISBA’s Standing Committee on Law Related Education for the Public, which administers the program.

Each team tries both sides – plaintiff and defense – of a hypothetical case developed by the ISBA Committee. This year’s case is Parker Keating v. Charlie Spector, a civil case involving three teenagers who were returning home from visiting Illinois colleges when their vehicle struck a Public Works Vehicle parked on the side of the road. The Plaintiff was injured and has sued the driver of the Defendant car for several claims arising from the crash.

Students will assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses, and a panel of Illinois judges, lawyers, and others will evaluate and score the students' performances. Students must also take a written test about the issues of the case and basic legal principles.

The High School Mock Trial Invitational has been conducted each year since 1982 by the ISBA to provide Illinois high school students insight into the American judicial system. The 2024 event is co-sponsored by Illinois LEARN, Inc.

The 28,000-member Illinois State Bar Association, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public through illinoislawyerfinder.com, consumer brochures, and distribution of legal information.

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NOTE: LIST OF PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS FOLLOWS.

Members of the media are welcome to cover any portion of the mock trials over the two-day period.

Participating Schools

Illinois State Bar Association 41st Annual Mock Trial Invitational March 16-17, 2024 · University of Illinois, Springfield

1. Barrington HS - Barrington
2. Bartlett HS - Bartlett
3. Bloomington HS - Normal
4. Boylan Catholic HS - Rockford
5. Buffalo Grove HS - Buffalo Grove
6. Carmel Catholic HS - Mundelein
7. Chicago Christian HS - Palos Heights
8. College Preparatory School of America - Lombard
9. De La Salle Institute - Chicago
10. DePaul College Prep - Chicago
11. Dunlap HS - Peoria
12. Elk Grove HS - Elk Grove Village
13. Evanston Township HS - Evanston
14. Glenbard South HS - Glen Ellyn
15. Glenbrook South HS - Glenview
16. Highland Park HS - Highland Park
17. Hinsdale Central HS - Hinsdale
18. Hinsdale South HS - Darien
19. Homewood-Flossmoor HS - Flossmoor
20. Huntley HS - Huntley
21. John Hersey HS - Arlington Heights 
22. Lake Forest HS - Lake Forest
23. LaSalle-Peru Township HS - LaSalle
24. Libertyville HS - Libertyville
25. Maine South HS - Park Ridge
26. Maine West HS - Des Plaines
27. Minooka Community HS - Channahon
28. Mt. Vernon Township HS - Mt. Vernon
29. Mundelein HS - Mundelein
30. Naperville North HS - Naperville
31. Niles North HS - Skokie
32. Niles Township HS - West Skokie
33. Normal Community HS - Normal
34. Normal West HS - Normal
35. O’Fallon Township HS - O’Fallon
36. Oak Park and River Forest HS - Oak Park
37. Rich Township HS - Matteson
38. Rolling Meadows HS - Rolling Meadows
39. St. Charles East HS - St. Charles
40. St. Charles North HS - St. Charles
41. South Elgin HS - South Elgin
42. Southland College Prep HS - Richton Park
43. Stevenson HS - Lincolnshire
44. Timothy Christian HS - Elmhurst
45. Unity Christian Academy - South Holland
46. University of Chicago Laboratory School - Chicago
47. Wheaton Academy - West Chicago
48. Wheeling HS - Wheeling
49. Whitney M. Young Magnet HS - Chicago
50. York Community HS - Elmhurst