CHICAGOLAWBULLETIN.COM
PAGE 4 | THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026
CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
Maintaining a justice system worthy of public tr ust Mariyana Spyropoulos Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County
Striving for equal access to the American Dream Joan A. Akalaonu President, Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago
grown into one of the most active bar associations in Illinois. Through its committees, professional develop- ment programs and leadership initiatives, the WBAI provides opportunities for lawyers and judges across the state to engage in meaningful dialogue, support one another and contribute to a fair and effective justice system. The WBAI’s current presidential theme, “Justice and Empowerment Through Service,” reflects the belief that leadership in the legal profession carries a responsibility to serve the broader community. The WBAI advances this commitment through continuing legal education pro- grams, judicial evaluation efforts and initiatives that promote civic engagement and mentorship. Signature events such as the Annual Judicial Reception bring together members of the bench and bar to foster col- legiality and strengthen professional relationships, while partnerships with other bar associations expand col- laboration throughout the Illinois legal community. In addition, the WBAI’s Political Action Committee supports legislative initiatives that advance the association’s mis- sion and uphold the rule of law. Through its programs, partnerships and service ini- tiatives, the WBAI works to support the legal profession while promoting fairness, access to justice and public confidence in our courts — helping ensure that the promise of the American Dream remains attainable for all. What can we do to make the American story possible? Bridget C. Duignan President, Illinois State Bar Association
The rule of law, like the American Dream, is a promise. Both necessitate the belief that all people are equal and deserve equitable treatment and opportunity.
I know that public faith in the rule of law is shaped not by rhetoric, but by whether the courts function as they should for the people who rely on them.
The Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago Inc. (BWLA) is committed to advancing civil and human rights and improving the administration of justice by increasing the participation of African American women and other underrepresented communities throughout the legal system. This year, the United States of America turns 250 years old. Although African Americans have always been part of this nation’s history, we have not always received the same rights, opportunities and access to the American Dream as others. Today, BWLA’s mission remains as vital as it was nearly 40 years ago at our founding. As president, I have worked alongside our Board of Directors, Scholarship Fund Board and Committees to uphold the theme of Enduring Legacy through on-going initiatives that provide support and mentorship for law students and young attorneys, com- munity service that promotes and recognizes the agency and dignity in our communities, and by providing in- formation about important issues that affect our lives. Those include our Annual Judicial Voting Guide and recent Know Your Rights campaign to assist people when in- teracting with law enforcement. Recently, BWLA collaborated with other bar associations to reaffirm our support for the rule of law and the fair administration of justice. The rule of law, like the American Dream, is a promise. Both necessitate the belief that all people are equal and deserve equitable treatment and opportunity. These concepts are not theoretical. As we’ve seen, there is a delicate balance to upholding America’s ideals and ensuring that everyone is treated equally in our justice system. Leaders within the legal profession are uniquely positioned to champion these ideals through education and advocacy. BWLA will continue its work to increase representation in the legal field and encourage the profession to embrace the rule of law to improve equal access for everyone to the American Dream.
For most Americans, the rule of law is experienced in whether the justice system treats them fairly when the stakes are personal and the outcome matters. As Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, I know that public faith in the rule of law is shaped not by rhetoric, but by whether the courts function as they should for the people who rely on them. That question arises every day in matters involving family stability, personal safety, hous- ing, debt and accountability. At those moments, the legitimacy of the system depends on whether people believe the law will be applied fairly and the process will hold. That is what makes the rule of law indispensable to the American Dream. Opportunity cannot be sustained where outcomes appear contingent on wealth, status or in- fluence. The promise of equal justice under law is what gives people the confidence that rights will be protected, obligations enforced and power constrained by process rather than preference. The clerk’s office has a direct stake in that public trust. Maintaining the official court record and ensuring mean- ingful access to court information are not merely ad- ministrative functions. They are part of the infrastructure of due process. When the system is clear, accurate and accessible, confidence in its fairness is strengthened. The American Dream depends on more than aspiration. It depends on a justice system worthy of trust and on a rule of law strong enough to protect ordinary people from unequal treatment under the law.
Some people come fleeing hardship or persecution. Some people come in search of work or an education. All people come for the freedom and the opportunity that this country offers.
Preserving the rule of law and our system of government is not just about maintaining “laws” and norms. Preserving the rule of law means to care for and maintain the conditions that make the American story possible, all built on the framework of our democratic institutions. Our framers relied on enlightenment philosophers and political thinkers who believed in natural rights of life, liberty and property. They embraced the vision of sep- arated powers through checks and balance, while adopt- ing the concept of a “social contract” built on ac- countability by government and the governed. Our framers integrated a strong belief and a commitment to civil liberties, and the idea of separation of church and state, both of which serve as a backbone of our individual rights. All of these political philosophies were woven into the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and into the Preamble to our Constitution, which affirms that the power lies in, “We the People.” This was how the American Dream was started; the radical belief in human potential. But we cannot have “We the People” without the people — so who are the people? From the very beginning, our government was created and continues to be shaped by people who come from somewhere else. Some people come fleeing hardship or persecution. Some people come in search of work or an education. All people come for the freedom and the opportunity that this country offers. All people contribute to creating the fabric of our government and the rich, cultural landscape of our country. And although women’s contributions went unrecognized, the framers under- stood that the phrase “all men are created equal,” was not self-executing. Instead, every generation has an obligation to expand this promise to the people left out and to empower those who are not, with its preservation. Because after all, to realize the American story is to live the American Dream.
Justice and empowerment through service Katherine A. Twardak President, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
After a year of tumult, Illinois attorneys were chosen as Chicago Lawyer magazine’s Person of the Year. Find out why by reading the Person of the Year article, currently available for free at lawyerport.com/law-day .
The WBAI works to support the legal profession while promoting fairness, access to justice and public confidence in our courts — helping ensure that the promise of the American Dream remains attainable for all.
The rule of law is the foundation that makes the American Dream possible. It ensures that opportunity is shaped not by power or privilege, but by a system of laws applied fairly and consistently. By protecting individual rights, resolving disputes peacefully and providing stability for communities and businesses, the law plays an essential role in everyday American life. For more than a century, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) has worked to strengthen that foun- dation. Founded in 1914 by nine pioneering women attorneys committed to advancing the legal profession and improving the administration of justice, the WBAI has
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