The University of Illinois at Chicago is merging with the John Marshall Law School, creating the first and only public law school in Chicago.

“Chicago is the largest city in the U.S. without a public law school,” said John Marshall Dean Darby Dickerson.“The UIC John Marshall Law School will fill that gap while also enhancing legal services available to the people of Chicago.”

“The decision to create a public law school marks a historic day for higher education in Chicago,” said Michael Amiridis, UIC chancellor.

The deal has been two years in the making. The board of trustees at both schools voted to approve the UIC acquisition.

The American Bar Association, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the U.S. Department of Education are expected to approve the plan in the coming months.

“When you combine the strengths of the John Marshall Law School and UIC, one plus one is much greater than two,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Dickerson and Amiridis join us in discussion.

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