It was windy and cold when we arrived in the city. All of us were covered with jackets, scarves and winter hats. We doubled or tripled our garments to protect ourselves against the breezy weather of that place. The exterior areas of some buildings were coated with glaze and the trees were not covered with leaves. Despite of that sub-zero climate, I forgot the freezing feeling because of the warm welcome shown by Tita Carol, Tita Gemma, Ate Alaminah, Kuya Bin and their babies Iman and Zia. I appreciated it and I felt so happy being with them for a short period of time. Although it was the first time to meet them, there was the feeling of home along the way that we were together in the metropolitan. It was Monday morning when we visited the office of Heartland Alliance International. A service-based human rights organization committed to protect and to promote the rights of the people through an inclusive approach to comprehensive health and social economic justice. Mr. Scott Portman, Sr. elaborated how the organization combat human trafficking, ensure human rights protections and promote access to justice for all immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Northwestern University School of Law Civil Litigation Center, part of the Bluhm Legal Clinic, was our next appointment. The center gave emphasis on poverty law cases wherein the law students support their clients in trials and motions. Professor Laurie I. Mikva provided us an overview of the clinics services and discussed the role of law school clinics in providing accessible legal services to low-income clients. At two oclock in the afternoon, we went to the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR), and Ms. Cassandra Lively, Ph.D. expounded the centers use of volunteer mediators as well as its relationship to the formal court system. Also, she explained the alternative dispute resolution process. Afterwards, we travelled to IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law. The institute provides a solid foundation for students wherein they develop the skills of their students through legal writing, trial advocacy and appellate advocacy programs. Mr. Alexander F.A. Rabanal presented some illustrations and
examples on how digitalization and technology creatively help the students
in their training and study of law. We attended a trial at Daley Center Courthouse on the following day. As a matter of fact, the Circuit Court of County of the State of Illinois is the largest among the 24 judicial circuits in Illinois. Actually, it is one of the largest unified court systems in the world wherein it has more than 400 judges who serve the 5.1 million residents of Cook County within the City of Chicago. At any rate, we observed inside the court room and witnessed how the trials were being conducted, how the judges presided over court proceedings and how lawyers supported their clients. Ms. Mellissa Pacelli assisted and accompanied us inside the courthouse. We were given a chance to talk with the presiding judge of the Law Division, the Honorable Flannery. Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) was our next stop. Ms. Margaret Benson guided and provided us an overview of their work; she explained the history and developments of CVLS and how they managed the cases and gave aid to the low-income clients in the community. Ms. Aurora AbellaAustriaco, the first Asian president of the Chicago Bar Association, talked about the importance and benefits of pro bono service in the legal practice and put an emphasis on its significance in the society. Our last appointment during that day was the American Bar Association (ABA). Mr. Terry Brooks, Mr. Steve and Mr. Geoffrey Burkhart informed us about the role of ABA in the American legal profession, how they worked on issues and provided access to justice in a way that it supports pro-bono services for the low-income clients. Thus, big streets, snow fall, landmark bean, Chicago Theatre, United Center, skyscrapers, amazing infrastructures, artistic monuments and sculptures, city of dreams, subway and famous boutiques lined across the streets, lawyers, volunteers, Tita Carol, Tita Gemma and Ate Alaminah and her family were the things, places and people that I will not forget in the memorable place of Chicago which I will treasure in life.
HOUSE HEARING, 108TH CONGRESS - GOOD SAMARITAN VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2003, THE NONPROFIT ATHLETIC ORGANIZATION PROTECTION ACT OF 2003, AND THE VOLUNTEER PILOT ORGANIZATION PROTECTION ACT