Tom Higgins Contact and Background Information

Tom Higgins

Professor

Illinois Central College

email: thiggins@icc.edu

Office Voice and Text: (309) 251-7803

Office Hours and Availability: 

Calling my office line is not the best way to reach me.  

An email will get the quickest response. If you call or text me at the number provided above, leave your name, phone number and reason for calling.  I will respond within 24 hours during normal business hours and days (Monday-Friday, during semesters), and I am typically much quicker with my return calls or emails.

Currently, all of my assigned courses are Online.

My office hours are: 7-8 a.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during the Fall or Spring semesters or during the Summer if I am teaching. During those times, you can call me at the number listed above.

Outside of those times, please email me with your question, concern, and reason for contacting me, along with your phone number and the best times to contact you.

		Background: As a graduate of Illinois Central College (police science) and former Cougar (men’s basketball), I have a distinct interest in the success of our students, graduates, and programs.  I am a proud alum of Illinois Central College and I wake up every morning ready to further its mission. While a student, I was fortunate to find student employment related to my major while attending ICC.  I worked as a Cadet in the Public Safety Department (n/k/a Campus Police).  I moved on to pursue my degree from Bradley University after graduating from ICC but returned to work as a Public Safety Officer for Chief Bob Walker. I followed a law enforcement career path after graduating from Bradley as I moved to the Chicago area to attend law school.  During that time I left law enforcement for opportunities that included work as the research assistant for the Dean of my law school, as well as positions in the Criminal Appeals Division of the Illinois Attorney General's Office and work for private law firms.  In 1990, I returned to Peoria representing a variety of clients in civil matters. In 1996, I left my law practice to return to Illinois Central College as a member of the faculty. In the years that followed, I developed or updated and then taught every law and justice-related course the college has offered.  The full list of courses I have taught over the years appears at the bottom of this document.  I was fortunate enough to be part of the first group of faculty in the United States to study, prepare for, and then offer a wholly online, web-based course.   Over the years, my classes have evolved with advancements in technology and the changing needs and expectations of our students and stakeholders. Current Employment/Service: Professor - Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Legal Studies and 911 Dispatch, Illinois Central College, since 1996. Instructor - Criminal Law and Procedure for the Central Illinois Police Training Center and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Trustee, City of Peoria Firemen’s Pension Fund, since 2021
		Other Employment/Service:  Faculty Forum President                                                2019 to 2022 Faculty Senate                                                                  Multiple Years The Faculty Forum President presides over the Faculty Senate, the governing body for the full-time faculty, and its collective bargaining unit known as the Faculty Forum. Attorney, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Legal Consultant, 1990 to 2024 Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, and Legal Consultant in various Civil Disputes, including service as an EEOC Mediator for a spectrum of employee/employer claims, a variety of issues involving commercial and business transactions, and assessment of liability.  I retired as an attorney in the fall of 2024, though I continue to provide pro bono assistance through designated services and clinics of my choosing. Administrative Hearing Officer,                                       1996 to 2021 I was appointed to preside over the process for resolving and adjudicating various types of municipal ordinance cases in Peoria, East Peoria, Creve Couer, Marquette Heights, and Pekin, Illinois.  These cases involve taking sworn testimony from police and city personnel, citizens, property owners and lay and expert witnesses in a variety of matters regarding criminal activity and residential and commercial property. Fire and Police Commissioner, City of Peoria,                2012 to 2019 Served as a member, Secretary, and Vice-Chair of the body responsible for hiring, disciplining, and promoting Fire and Police personnel.
		Education University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - Graduated in 2000 Master of Online Teaching Certificate University of Illinois Chicago Law School - Graduated in 1990 Juris Doctor Bradley University - Graduated in 1987 Bachelor of Science, Administration of Criminal Justice Illinois Central College - Graduated in 1985 Associates in Applied Science, Law Enforcement
		Awards and Articles Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, - 2000 40 Leaders Under 40, - 2001 Driving Under the Influence in Illinois, 22 Loy. U. Chi. L.J. 551 (1991) Motions in Limine: Use and Consequences in Illinois, 26 J. Marshall L. Rev. 305 (1993) Utilization of Paralegals in Illinois: The secret to a more efficient and profitable law practice (printed and reprinted in various Illinois State Bar Association publications and local and State bar association Continuing Legal Education materials) Various Continuing Legal Education program materials for Peoria County, Illinois State Bar Association, and private CLE provider programs.

Courses Taught at Illinois Central College through Online, Online Scheduled, Hybrid, and Traditional Modalities:

Bus 115 Business Law I Bus 116 Business Law II Bus 215 Legal Environment of Business Crj 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice Crj 111 Special Topics in Criminal Justice Crj 118 Juvenile Delinquency Crj 201 Criminal Justice Internship Crj 225 Criminal Law Crj 226 Criminal Law and Procedure Crj 227 Administration of Justice Crj 230 Criminal Procedure and Evidence Legal 110 Introduction to Legal Legal 112 Legal Research I

Legal113 Legal Research II Legal 114 Family Law Legal115 Wills, Trusts and Estates Legal 116 Civil Litigation Legal117 Administrative Law Legal 118 Law Office Management Legal 120 Medical Terminology for Paralegals Legal 121 Ethics and Professional Responsibility for Paralegals Legal 215 Business Organizations Legal260 Paralegal Internship Rslt 230 Real Estate Law *also taught college credit courses in Physical Education (Basic and Advanced Physical Conditioning, Basic and Advanced Weight Training, and Basic and Advanced Basketball)

Courses taught through the Central Illinois Police Training Center and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board:

Basic Criminal Procedure Review for Law Enforcement