HISTORY OF THE COOK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
The history of Black men and women working to mold and shape the law in order to improve the quality of their respective lives in this state began in 1869 with Lloyd Wheeler’s admission to practice law in Illinois. His admission was the start of a fine and distinguished tradition in this state of Black lawyers, judges, legal educators, and elected and appointed officials participating at virtually every conceivable level to improve, protect and defend lives, rights and the well-being of all citizens, but particularly Black citizens. By October 1869, there were 32 Black lawyers practicing in the Chicago area.
The idea of the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) was born in 1869 through the collective commitment of 32 Black lawyers, including Ida Platt, the first Black woman admitted to practice in the State of Illinois. Initially the founders met informally to plan protests against discrimination in hotels, theaters and restaurants, and to address judicial elections and school desegregation. This informal collaboration lasted until 1914 when the group decided to formally organize as the Cook County Bar Association. Edward H. Wright was elected as the first CCBA president. On March 5, 1920, the CCBA was officially incorporated by the State of Illinois.
In 1925, CCBA members C. Francis Stradford, Wendell E. Green and Jesse N. Baker were among the founders of the National Bar Association (NBA). As one of the NBA’s oldest and largest affiliates, the CCBA hosted the NBA’s 71st Annual Meeting in Chicago in August 1996, which is still recognized as the most successful Annual Meeting in the history of the NBA.
Historically, the CCBA has engaged in a variety of legal programs to advance the legal profession and its members. One of its most important contributions was the development of an organized system for the fair and impartial evaluations of judicial candidates which led to the joint alliance with other minority bar associations.
The CCBA has been standing up for its lawyers and judges and, most importantly, the Black community, for over 97 years and it will continue to be a dominate force in the Chicago legal community for years to come.
