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Sen. George McGovern Speaks at CRFC 2009 Educator Conference
10/27/09: The Daily Herald reports "Dozens of suburban high school teachers took on the role of pupils Friday, when former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate George McGovern turned the tables and give them a lesson in living history." Read the complete story at: http://www.dailyherald.com or download a copy of the complete article.

Also: Q & A sidebar with Sen. McGovern

Maine West Honored For Immersing Teens In Civic Involvement
October 23, 2009: The Chicago Tribune reports "On Friday, Sept. 18, the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition - joined by the Illinois State Board of Education and several elected officials -- honored Maine West as one of three suburban schools whose work has earned the designation of 'Illinois Democracy School.' Read the complete story at www.triblocal.com

photo: Shawn Healy, McCormick Foundation; Carolyn Pereira, Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago; Kelly Pecak; Susan Gahagan Mueller; Dan Fouts; State Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie); and Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Jesse Ruiz.

Help Is On The Way To Springfield
July 4, 2009: The Southern Illinoisan reports "Scores of elementary and middle-school students made exciting discoveries this spring - not in the amazing world of science but in laboratories of democracy." Read the complete story at www.thesouthern.com

U-46 Superintendent Recognizes Middle Schools for More Perfect Union Activities
May 13, 2009: U-46 Superintendent Dr. Jose M. Torres presented Canton, Eastview, Ellis, Gifford, Kenyon Woods, Kimball, Larsen, and Tefft Middle Schools with plaques from CRFC in recognition of their outstanding work as part of the More Perfect Union Project funded by the Grand Victoria Foundation. The ceremony was held at the Gail Borden Public Library. Teachers implemented the six-unit MPU curriculum as part of a year-long effort to help seventh and eighth grade students develop a deeper understanding of the Constitution and how our government works.

CBA Lawyers Inspire Goudy Graduate To Seek Legal Career
April 2009, Chicago Bar Association Record : A former [Chicago Public Schools] Goudy School student who took part in the Lawyers in the Classroom program and the State v. Bean filming spoke to the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago about how the joint program with the Chicago Bar Association influenced her to become an attorney. Click here to read the complete story.

AMICUS CURIOUS: Lawyers Capping Schools' Lessons On Rights
November 17, 2008 Chicago Daily Law Bulletin: Jenner & Block LLP associate Thomas M. Winegar breaks a fictional school's rule against wearing hats as he helps teach students at the Mozart Elementary School on Chicago's Northwest Side about the U.S. legal system as part of the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago's Edward J. Lewis Lawyers in the Classroom program. Click here to read the complete story..

Herrick Class Project Encourages Recycling
May 24, 2007: The Downers Grove Reporter reports "A Herrick Middle School eighth-grade social studies class is on a mission. Teacher Jay Swanstrom's second period class has been working on an assignment known as "Project Citizen" in an effort to not only help clean up the Downers Grove school, but the community at large." Read the complete story at www.mysuburbanlife.com.

photo: Mr. Swanstrom's class at Herrick Middle School works on a project to help make the school and Downers Grove a less polluted place. Students work in groups to generate ideas about designing the recycling bins. Working on a computer are Ally Haley (right) and Sarah Mastny both of Downers Grove