This week's legal word of the week is plea, which is the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges.

To celebrate #HispanicHeritageMonth, we're recognizing diverse voices in the judiciary. The following features Cook County Circuit Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez and her thoughts on her career, diversity on the bench, and more. rb.gy/unq1ak

Happy #ConstitutionDay! On this day in 1787, the United States Constitution was signed. Today we recognize the adoption of the Constitution and all U.S. citizens.

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice will be honored with the Justice Innovation Award by the Law Center for Better Housing at Bringing Justice Home on October 17th at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. rb.gy/3f0u26

Justice Lisa Holder White and the Supreme Court of Illinois have announced that Justice Amy Lannerd has been appointed as an Appellate Court Justice in the Fourth District. rb.gy/gn8ebe

Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Russell A. Crull as an associate judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. tinyurl.com/y3mhp2p4

Thank you to Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis for speaking with the PAR class today about the importance of the public understanding the judicial system. Theis and the other justices have are in town hearing oral arguments. 📸 = Chris Bonjean

Seven Illinois Supreme Court opinions were filed today. View the opinions here: rb.gy/dzyxi

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts is pleased to announce approval of a competitive grant award from the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services. rb.gy/dbj5fe

The Jo Daviess County Courthouse in Galena is the second oldest courthouse still in use in Illinois, built in 1839. #ILCourtHistory #FlashbackFriday

#OTD in 1955, an all-white Tallahatchie County, Mississippi jury found Roy Bryant and J. W. Milam not guilty for the murder and kidnapping of Chicago native Emmett Till. #ILCourtHistory

This #HispanicHeritageMonth, the Illinois Supreme Court is recognizing key figures in #ILCourtHistory. In 1965, Hon. David Cerda (ret.) became the first Latino judge in Illinois. He later became the first Latino justice to serve on the Illinois Appellate Court in 1989.

The Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission received a donation of a 26-page typed transcription of Clarence Darrow’s passionate argument to save his 17-year-old client Russell McWilliams from the electric chair. tinyurl.com/br2hchjk

Beyond the Bench is a monthly feature to get to know more about judges and justices in the Illinois Courts, beyond their legal duties. This month features Associate Judge Katherine Legge of the 10th Circuit. rebrand.ly/f18239 #BeyondTheBenchIL