Loyola University Chicago School of Law has announced a $6 million gift from trustee Barry McCabe to establish an institute dedicated to studying and strengthening the rule of law domestically as well as in developing nations and emerging democracies.

The Rule of Law Institute, which builds on the university's Rule of Law for Development Program, will engage in research and analyze rule of law issues, develop approaches to those problems, and, together with Loyola and external partners, assist in implementing and tracking those solutions. To that end, the gift will support research, faculty, programming, and collaborations between academia — scholars in law, economics and trade, science, social science, health, public policy, the environment, and the humanities — and governments, NGOs, and other partners on issues such as infringements of human rights, violence, environmental destruction, poverty, and hunger.

"Human welfare and development depend on equal rights and responsibilities under the law regardless of race, religion, gender, wealth, or status," said McCabe. "The rule of law desperately requires the humanistic, Jesuit focus that Loyola University Chicago is equipped to offer. Loyola not only prepares highly skilled attorneys, it also prepares professionals with a social conscience. That's what the rule of law is all about and why I fervently believe it is worth advancing especially at this time."