ACS Chicago: Civil Disagreements 2: Originalism and the Constitution

A hallmark of the United States government is its founding document: the U.S. Constitution, as amended from time to time, which sets forth the structure, the powers, and the limits of the national government. But how, in a dynamic world, should one interpret those words? Many views exist, among them those dubbed “originalism,” “textualism,” and “The Living Constitution.” Even views among the Supreme Court Justices vary, both contemporaneously and over time. Please join us for a lively discussion of competing views.

This is the second in a series of moderated debates on current, critical, and often, contentious, civic questions sponsored by the American Constitution Society Chicago Lawyer Chapter, American Bar Association's Division for Public Education, and the Federalist Society (Chicago Chapter), and Reform for Illinois. Programs begin with a question, followed by a parliamentary-style (opening statements, rebuttals) debate in response to the question. Programs conclude with a moderated discussion among debaters and Q&A from the audience.

Debate materials are located here.

Register here.

CLE credit is available for Illinois lawyers.

Featuring:

David Strauss, Gerald Ratner Distinguished Service Professor of Law, University of Chicago School of Law; Faculty Director, Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic; Author, The Living Constitution; Co-Author, Equality and Democracy: The Enduring Constitutional Legacy of the Warren Court and Member of the ACS National Board of Advisors 

John McGinnis, George C. Dix Professor, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; Author, Accelerating Democracy: Transforming Government Through Technology, and Originalism and the Good Constitution

Moderated by:

Alisa Kaplan, Executive Director, Reform for Illinois