Illinois’ bar exam passage rate for July 2017 test-takers rose slightly from 2016 numbers, reversing a downward trend from the previous three years.Roughly 74 percent of the 1,877 people — including both Illinois law school graduates and those from out of state — passed the two-day exam in July, according to the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar.It’s a small increase from 72 percent in July 2016, but it is below the 76 percent rate in July 2015, 81 percent in July 2014 and 85 percent in July …