2Civility is the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism's communication platform. The name itself celebrates our mission, honors our heritage and echoes our evolution: “2” because we are fostering transformation; “Civility” because it is the moral code that binds us together not only as a society but as legal professionals, encouraging a productive exchange of perspectives and rejecting disrespect for individuals or classes of people. As such, 2Civility will advocate and advance the highest standards of conduct among lawyers to better serve clients and society alike. Our charge is clearly stated by Supreme Court Rule 799: to promote greater integrity, professionalism and civility among Illinois lawyers and judges; to foster commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems; and to ensure those systems provide equitable, efficient and effective service to the citizens of Illinois. As the Supreme Court states in Rule 799(c), our duties include: 1. Promoting an awareness of professionalism, including generating, gathering and maintaining professionalism resources 2. Monitoring, approving and assisting with professional responsibility CLE 3. Collaborating with law schools on professionalism programs 4. Facilitating cooperation among practitioners, bar associations, law schools, courts, civic and lay organizations on matters of professionalism, ethics, and public understanding of the legal system Connecting lawyers to one another and to the core values of our profession is increasingly important amidst the rapid changes of the 21st century. We are more than up to the task. In the process of doing so, we are seeing, thinking, and acting in ways that provide a greater sense of purpose and reward within the legal profession as we strive to make the world a better place for one and all. .
