The Presumption of Freedom: The Illinois Supreme Court and the Fate of Slavery in the Prairie State

Though Illinois entered the Union as a free state in 1818, slavery continued to exist within its borders for decades. Freedom seekers, abolitionists, and pro-slavery forces turned to the judicial system to determine the fate of slavery in Illinois. This talk will highlight several of the nearly two dozen slave cases that reached the Illinois Supreme Court and examine the Court’s role in ending slavery in the Prairie State.

Presenter Bio: Samuel Wheeler, Director of History Programs, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission

This event is hosted by the Freeport Public Library, Greater Freeport Partnership, and Lincoln Douglas Society in coordination with the Journey to Freedom: Illinois’ Underground Railroad exhibit. The exhibit is hosted at the library March 6-April 5, 2025, and produced by The Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.