In honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, the McLean County Museum of History will offer free admission on Monday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. so that the public can access the exhibit “Presence, Pride and Passion: A history of African Americans in McLean County since the 1840s.” Through images and artifacts, the exhibit chronicles, among other events, the history of the local civil rights movements, including Dr. King’s visits to Bloomington-Normal in 1961 and 1966. The exhibit will be on display through May 2008. For more information on this and other exhibits visit www.mchistory.org.

Rep. Johnson’s mobile office program resumes

Constituents of Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Ill., in DeWitt and Livingston counties will have a chance to pose their individual concerns to District Aide Beth Harding as part of Rep. Johnson’s mobile office program. On Thursday, Jan. 17, Harding will be available at the Clinton City Hall from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Weldon Library from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Farmer City City Hall from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Thursday, Jan. 24, Harding will be at the Flanagan Community Building from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Dwight Public Service Complex from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and Pontiac City Hall from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Phil Bloomer at (217) 403-4690

Program sends DVDs, Valentines to soldiers

Family Video is joining with Operation Homefront Illinois to send DVDs and Valentine messages to soldiers serving in Iraq. From Jan. 15 until Jan. 29, the public can donate DVDs at all Family Video stores in Champaign which will then be sent overseas to men and women in the military. The video stores will provide $2 discounts on DVDs purchased in the store for the program. Cards will also be available so that the public can send a Valentine message along with each DVD.

UI professor named “Top 100 Attorney”

The Leading Lawyers Network named Professor J. Steven Beckett, director of College of Law Trial Advocacy Program, as a 2007-2008 “Top 100 Attorney.” Beckett was recognized in the areas of civil rights/constitutional law, criminal defense law: DUI, criminal defense law: felonies & misdemeanors and criminal defense law: white collar.

Beckett, an Urbana native, is a 1973 College of Law graduate. He has practiced law in Champaign-Urbana since 1973, focusing on litigation as well as both criminal and civil appeals. Beckett founded and currently counsels the Urbana firm, Beckett & Webber, P.C.

UI professor named Illinois “Advocate of the Month”

The Illinois Legal Advocate has named George Bell “Advocate of the Month.” Bell, professor of Law, is director of the College’s Civil Litigation Clinic. The clinic allows students to represent clients dealing with civil litigation matters under close supervision in a model law office setting. As the director, Bell teaches classes on civil litigation while supervising students. Bell is a member of the Champaign County Bar Association and belongs to the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and Clinical Legal Educators Association.

Super Pantry hosts coach autograph sessions

University basketball coaches Jolette Law and Bruce Weber will sign autographs at Super Pantry, 59 E. Green St., Champaign, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26. A $5 donation is requested for each item signed. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Coaches versus Cancer, which aims to raise cancer awareness. Law will sign items Saturday, Jan. 19 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., and Weber will sign on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Compiled by Andrea Cheng, Amanda Graf and Megan Kelly