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2022 Midwestern Regional Conference

April 22 — 23, 2022

**Online registration for this event is now closed. If you are still interested in attending, please email [email protected]**

 

2022 Midwestern Chapters Conference

Please plan on joining the Midwestern chapters of the Federalist Society for the 2022 Midwestern Chapters Conference at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, IL.

The conference will feature panels, lunch, and a keynote address by Professor Kurt T. Lash, University of Richmond School of Law. Tours of the Lincoln Library and Museum will also be available.

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

4.5 credits of Illinois CLE and 4.8 credits of Missouri CLE have been approved.

 

 No refunds available after COB Thursday, April 21. 

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7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Lincoln-Douglas Tavern Debate
Maldaner's
222 S. 6th Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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Arrive to the conference a night early to take part in this fun-filled and stimulating night of intellectual debate, witty repartee, and Article III merriment!

Click HERE for more details and to register for this event!

This event is co-sponsored by the Institute for Justice.

 

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9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
Reception Gallery
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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Registration opens at 9:00 a.m. A complimentary breakfast buffet will be available.

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Panel 1 - Different Perspectives on The Fourteenth Amendment
Multipurpose Room
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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The Fourteenth Amendment, adopted in 1868, dramatically changed constitutional law. How are we to understand these changes? How would an originalist understand these changes? Did the Fourteenth Amendment change our Federalism and, if so, how much? Does the Fourteenth Amendment protect unenumerated rights?

Speakers:

  • Prof. Evan D. Bernick, Assistant Professor, Northern Illinois University College of Law
  • Prof. Ilan Wurman, Associate Professor, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
  • Moderator: Hon. Chad A. Readler, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Speakers

11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Panel 2 - Better Believe It: Free Exercise and the First Amendment
Multipurpose Room
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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Leading the charge for abolition during the Civil War-era, among others, were abolitionists with deeply held religious beliefs. Today, virtually everyone supports religious liberty and virtually everyone opposes discrimination. But how do we handle the hard questions that arise when exercises of religious liberty seem to discriminate unjustly? Or when anti-discrimination laws unjustly constrain religious liberty? How do we promote the common good while respecting conscience in a diverse society? For example, many religious liberty questions have arisen in response to the redefinition of marriage, such as when bakers, florists, and photographers who do not wish to prove same-sex wedding services and charge for discrimination. This conflict extends well beyond the LGBT arena, notably in the abortion debate. What counts as discrimination, when is it unjust, and when should it be unlawful? Should the law give religion and conscience special protection at all, and if so, why? Might the protection of religious liberty for all serve the ever so pressing need to calming fear and polarization in today’s society?

Speakers:

  • Prof. Thomas C. Berg, James L. Oberstar Professor of Law and Public Policy, University of St. Thomas School of Law
  • Justin Edward Butterfield, Deputy General Counsel, First Liberty Institute
  • D. John Sauer, Solicitor General, Missouri
  • Moderator: Hon. James C. Ho, Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

 

Speakers

12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Keynote Address and Luncheon
Lincoln Atrium
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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"Lincoln, Federalism, and the Fourteenth Amendment"

Featuring:

Prof. Kurt T. Lash, E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Chair in Law, University of Richmond School of Law

Speakers

1:05 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Remarks on Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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"Remarks on Abraham Lincoln by Illinois State Senator McClure"

Featuring:

State Senator Steve McClure, Illinois General Assembly, 50th District

Speakers

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Panel 3 - Should the Land of Lincoln Cancel Lincoln?
Multipurpose Room
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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Event Video

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Description

In midst of the pandemic, among the many urgent public demands, Chicago took the time to assess the propriety of monuments to historical figures like Abraham Lincoln.  Cities across the country are grappling with the legacy of such figures, many of whom did not live perfect lives.  Chicago's effort was part of a larger social movement to remove from sight, or to hold accountable, historical and contemporary figures, including Christopher Columbus, Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Seuss, Woodrow Wilson, J.K. Rowling, and even Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.  Americans are now regularly “cancelled” for actions and statements made many years ago.  Is "cancel culture" an important tool of social justice or a new form of intimidation by the powerful?  Does canceling someone work to deter bad behavior?  How does cancellation and its potential to chill speech interact with the First Amendment? 

Speakers:

  • Prof. Nadine Strossen, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, Emerita, New York Law School & Former President, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Jonathan D. Urick, Associate Chief Counsel, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Litigation Center
  • Prof. Anders Walker, Lillie Myers Professor of Law; Professor of History, St. Louis University School of Law
  • Moderator: Hon. Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., Senior Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri

 

Speakers

3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Self-Guided Tours of the Library
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum
212 N. Sixth Street
Springfield, IL 62701

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Self-guided tours of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum are available.
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