Lee County Judge Promotes Literacy at St. Anne School Visit

A Lee County judge will engage with students at St. Anne Catholic School in Dixon on February 12, 2024, as part of a statewide initiative aimed at enhancing early literacy. Jacquelyn D. Ackert, a Circuit Judge in Lee County, is participating in the Illinois Judges Association’s reading program known as “Judges Go to School Day.” The visit coincides with the birthday of former President Abraham Lincoln, during which Ackert will read “Abe Lincoln’s Hat,” authored by Martha Brenner. The children’s book highlights Lincoln’s unique practice of storing letters and court notes in his iconic top hat.

This program specifically targets students from kindergarten to fourth grade. It was established in response to surveys conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which revealed that a considerable number of low-income fourth graders struggle to read at grade level. Research indicates that students who achieve reading proficiency by the end of third grade are significantly more likely to graduate from high school.

In a statement regarding the initiative, Mary Schostok, Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court and former president of the Illinois Judges Association, emphasized the urgency of addressing reading deficiencies. “Too many school children are not reading at grade level. This reading deficiency affects student learning and contributes to the high school dropout rate,” Schostok stated.

As part of this initiative, St. Anne Catholic School will also receive a copy of “Abe Lincoln’s Hat” for its library. The Illinois Judges Association funded the book acquisition through a grant from the Illinois Judges Foundation. Schostok noted, “Our reading project is one small step which we hope will inspire young students to appreciate the value of books as they learn a little about history and our system of justice directly from a sitting judge.”

This literacy program is the latest effort by the Illinois Judges Association to engage with the community. Previous initiatives have included campaigns addressing issues such as drunk driving, drug abuse, and cyberbullying. The Illinois Judges Association serves as a membership organization comprising approximately 1,250 active and retired judges. Its mission focuses on fostering public confidence in the independence of the justice system while also providing educational resources to its members and information about court operations to the public.

The upcoming visit to St. Anne Catholic School exemplifies the commitment of the judiciary to support literacy and education in local communities, highlighting the essential role that reading plays in a child’s development and future success.