The Illinois Supreme Court announced on May 5 that bar admission ceremonies for the 279 new attorneys who passed the February 2026 Bar Exam will take place across all five judicial districts of Illinois on Wednesday, May 6.
These ceremonies mark a significant step for the candidates, who have completed both a bar examination and a required ethics examination. Each candidate has also been certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness.
In Chicago, the First Judicial District ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m., with Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr., Justice Joy V. Cunningham, and Justice Sanjay T. Tailor presiding over the swearing-in of candidates. The Second Judicial District ceremony is scheduled for Elgin at 10 a.m., led by Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford. In Joliet, Justice Mary K. O’Brien will conduct the Third Judicial District ceremony at 11 a.m.
Justice Lisa Holder White will oversee proceedings in Springfield for the Fourth Judicial District at 11 a.m., while Justice David K. Overstreet will administer oaths in Mt. Vernon for Fifth Judicial District admittees at 2 p.m.
The distribution of new admittees includes: First District with 208 candidates; Second District with 21; Third District with 32; Fourth District with five; and Fifth District with twelve.
