Illinois Bicentennial Celebration of the Abraham Lincoln Portrait presentation and dedication will be unveiled at 1:00pm Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in Courtroom 210.

The portrait of Abraham Lincoln was taken by Chicago photographer Alexander Hesler on June 3, 1860.  This photograph is considered one of the finest ever made of Lincoln and commemorates Illinois' 200th year as the country's 21st state on December 3, 2018.  One of the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates took place at the Peoria County Courthouse in 1854, which also was the site where Lincoln vigorously and publicly spoke against an expansion of slavery.

The Illinois Judge's Association, who will be represented by longtime neighboring 9th Circuit Judge Stephen Mathers, and the Illinois State Bar Association, are donors of the photograph, made possible by owners of the portrait's plate image, the Illinois Sate Historical Society.

The event is open to the public.  Chief Judge Paul Gilfillan will officiate and he will be assisted by Judge Kevin Lyons and Judge Kate Gorman, who will affix beneath the portrait a selected adage of President Lincoln:  "I like to see a man proud of the place he lives.  I like to see a man live so his place will be proud of him."