“May we continue to strengthen public trust” - Chief Justice Neville speaks at diversity luncheon

Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. emphasized the importance of public confidence in the judiciary at the Peoria County Bar Association's 23^rd Annual Diversity Luncheon, which honors area students with scholarships. The event was hosted at the Spalding Pastoral Center on Oct. 28, 2026. Justice David K. Overstreet and Justice Mary K. O'Brien were both in attendance, as well as other appellate justices and local judges.

Chief Justice Neville spoke on the two principles he says sit at the heart of constitutional democracy: federalism and the rule of law. He defined federalism as the sharing of power between the federal government and the states.

"[The Constitution] is not simply a legal doctrine," Chief Justice Neville said. "It is a safeguard. It is a protection against the concentration of power. It is a structure designed to preserve liberty."

He added that the rule of law is not inevitable, not self-sustaining, and not guaranteed.

"Rather, it is a commitment - a collective commitment - that no individual is above the law, that rights are protected through lawful processes, and that disputes are resolved through institutions rather than through power, politics, or force," Chief Justice Neville said.

The Robert H. Jennetten Diversity Scholarship was awarded to three students: Olivia Riley, Michael Welch-Farrell, and Dnija Johnson. Since September 2004, the luncheon has helped fund the diversity scholarship, which provides financial assistance to law students who show interest in practicing law in the Peoria area.

While visiting Peoria, Chief Justice Neville, Justice Overstreet, and Justice O'Brien met with students from local high schools, including Peoria High School and Peoria Manual High School.

The students asked the justices questions, and the justices shared more about the judicial branch, the legal profession, and more.

The justices also visited the Youth Opportunity Court, which is a Tenth Judicial Circuit program that remains in early implementation. The program's goal is to reduce youth interaction with the justice system.

View the full photo gallery from these events here.