Historical Sites to Visit in The Hague

 

The Hague
Image: holland.com

A graduate of Northwestern University with a master’s in English literature, John Heintz of Chicago also earned an MBA from the University of Chicago and a JD from the John Marshall School of Law. He went on to serve as legal officer and assistant superintendent for operations at Niles Township High School District 219 before becoming an international education and law consultant. As part of his post-graduate studies, John Heintz participated in the Advanced LLM in Public International Law program at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, a country which offers a number of beautiful and historic cities to see, including The Hague.

Located on the North Sea Coast, the Hague is home to the International Court of Justice, but it offers much more to do and see. The following are just a few of the numerous historical sites to visit in The Hague:

–The Ooievaart

As The Hague is a canal city where boats used to unload merchandise at local markets, the city features canals where visitors can take a tour aboard the Ooievaart to get a unique view of the town’s architecture and history. During the 90-minute tour, visitors can learn about such sites as the Malieveld and the Palace Gardens.

–The Grote of Sint-Jacobskerk

Constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries, The Grote of Sint-Jacobskert, also known as St. James Church, is a classic Gothic structure that features a six-sided tower with bells, historical works of art, and ornate stained-glass windows. Although the church occasionally hosts Protestant services, it is mostly used for special events, including concerts and banquets.

–The Binnenhof

The Binnenhof (the Inner Court) is located in the oldest area of The Hague and dates back to 1250. Consisting of several buildings surrounding a central courtyard, the Binnenhof is now home to both chambers of Parliament as well as the North Wing, where the Dutch prime minister resides.

The John Marshall Law School – Recognized for Legal Writing Training

John Marshall Law School
Image: jmls.edu

A former legal officer and assistant superintendent of operations for Niles Township High School District 219 in the Chicago area, John Heintz leverages his knowledge and experience to write about education and legal topics at Second Rail Education. A graduate of the University of Chicago with an MBA, John Heintz works also holds a juris doctor from the John Marshall School of Law, which has been recognized for its excellent legal writing program.

The legal writing program at the John Marshall School of Law is ranked fifth in the country by U.S. News and World Report. The school maintains rigorous legal writing standards, and requires that all students take four semesters of legal drafting.

The John Marshall School of Law also supports students through its Writing Resource Center, which is overseen by a full-time writing specialist. In addition to helping first-year law students during their adjustment to the demands of legal writing, the Writing Resource Center helps students hone their writing skills during all stages of law school through individual meetings designed to take their writing to the next level. The center even helps advanced degree students and graduating students as they seek their first position in the legal field.

To learn more about the John Marshall School of Law and its Writing Resource Center, visit www.jmls.edu.

The Meaning of the Eyes in The Great Gatsby

 

The Great Gatsby
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A co-founder of and senior legal consultant with Chicago-based Lydian, Inc., John Heintz served as the assistant superintendent for operations and chief legal officer for Niles Township High School District 219, within which he also functioned as an English teacher earlier in his career. John Heintz counts To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby among his favorite books.

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925, The Great Gatsby involves fictional characters from different economic backgrounds living on Long Island, New York during the Roaring Twenties. While not particularly popular when published, the novel is now considered a literary classic. Some of the book’s prominent symbols highlight the era’s decadence and despair.

One such symbol is a billboard that overlooks the Valley of Ashes, a destitute environment between New York City and the fictional town of West Egg. The billboard features a pair forlorn eyes belonging to Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, peering over the desolate wasteland.

In one part of the book, the main character notes that the eyes are always keeping watch. In an interaction that takes place in front of a window where the billboard is visible, one person confronts an adulterer by saying that she can’t fool God. Some may conclude that the ever-present God sees everything and frowns upon the apparent greed, immorality, and selfish interactions set in the failed American Dream.

RIC Expands and Improves with Help of Prominent Donors

 

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Image: sralab.org

The recipient of a juris doctor from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, John Heintz is a public attorney who recently served six years as chief legal officer with Niles Township High School District 219. Outside of his professional pursuits, John Heintz is a board member for the charitable foundation of Chicago’s Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.

Previously named the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), the trauma research and treatment center was renamed upon its expansion and relocation in March of 2017. The 1.2-million-square-foot hospital was under construction in June of 2016 when donors Pat and Shirley Ryan decided to contribute a significant amount of money to the funding of the hospital. The couple said it was their largest single gift, and while they wouldn’t disclose the dollar figure, naming rights for the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago reached over $100 million.

The new hospital features innovation centers with a specific focus on trauma-related issues affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, and muscles. It includes collaborative efforts from scientists, therapists, clinicians, and other medical professionals. An additional $8 million in funding was raised at the recent Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Gala.