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Courts Matter Illinois is a coalition of diverse organizations and individuals working to ensure a federal judiciary comprised of judges committed to upholding constitutional values. Our judicial systems at the state and federal levels are a vital part of the checks and balances defending people’s rights. Federal and state judges -- appointed and elected -- make decisions about every aspect of our lives. From the quality of the air we breathe and water we drink, to our consumer protections, reproductive rights, and who we can marry: Courts Matter!
Senate Judiciary Committee
Senate Judiciary Committee
With Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) seat vacant, the judiciary committee held a mark-up prior to the start of the hearing on Todd Blanche on July 16 and approved the following nominees: Judge Daniel Traynor to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on a party-line vote of 11-10; Kasdin Mitchell to the District Court for the Northern District of Texas (11-10); Angela Colmenero to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas (11-10); Antonio Pozos to the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (12-9); and Michael Martin to the District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (14-7).
On July 23, the committee will vote on the nominations of Judge Daniel Domenico to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Matthew Byrne to the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
They are expected to vote on the confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General on July 30.
Register for SCOTUS 2026 Review with CLE Credit from ACS July 29
Register for SCOTUS 2026 Review with CLE Credit from ACS July 29
Join the American Constitution Society Chicago Lawyer Chapter, the ACLU of Illinois, and Mayer Brown on Wednesday, July 29th at 12:00 PM CT for their annual Supreme Court Review. The event will be held in-person at Mayer Brown (71 S Wacker Drive, Chicago) and streamed virtually.
They will review the U.S. Supreme Court Term and several cases, including on voting rights, birthright citizenship, executive power, LGBTQ rights, immigrants' rights, and more.
The program will also include a discussion of trends in the Supreme Court and panelists will answer audience questions. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.
Supreme Court Hearings Conclude for 2025-26 Term; Read Our SCOTUS Term Wrap Up
Supreme Court Hearings Conclude for 2025-26 Term; Read Our SCOTUS Term Wrap Up
As of the end of April, the Supreme Court concluded its hearings of oral arguments for the 2025-26 term. Read our special end-of-term review of the final decisions!
Visit our SCOTUS Page for more details.
When oral arguments resume in the next term they will continue to occur at 9AM Central. Always listen in here.
Weekly Wrap Up: As of July 17
Weekly Wrap Up: As of July 17
Competing with an on-again-off-again war in Iran, the nation’s politically charged 250th birthday, a record heat wave, unbreathable air, and an outbreak of an especially gross parasitic illness, the US Senate still managed to steal the spotlight this summer.
Former Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been missing in action since June 14 when he was hospitalized. Then followed weeks of no information or communication, fueling speculation about whether he was still alive. Recently, however, there’s been some news: a “proof of life” photo; reports of phone calls with Republican colleagues; and a statement explaining why he was hospitalized.
Add to that on-going drama, the shocking sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on July 11, leaving a brief hole in the Senate Republican line-up until the South Carolina governor appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham, who was sworn in three-days after her brother’s death.
Drama of another sort played out over the week at the Senate Judiciary Committee where two days of hearings took place on the confirmation of Todd Blanche to the post of Attorney General. Democrats were vigorous in their questioning of Blanche who currently serves as Acting Attorney General after a long stint as President Trump’s personal lawyer.
On July 16, day two, witnesses testified for and against the nominee as two Republican senators, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), suggested that they were not necessarily “yes” votes.
Finally, the Senate’s return from recess meant a return to confirmation votes on judicial nominees: Arthur Jones was confirmed to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas (46-44); Matthew Schwartz to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals (50-45); and Jeffrey Kuntz to the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (51-46). Cloture was filed on Benjamin Flowers to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals with a vote likely within a week.
Headlines
Headlines
(Slate) Two of John Robert’s biggest decisions this term directly contradict each other
(NYTimes) Are we still supposed to take this conservative legal theory seriously?
(Rolling Stone) The abortion pill has never abused women. Men do.
(Huff Po) Action AG Todd Blanche commits to ending abortion pills by mail in hearing
(NPR) Supreme Court justices give chilling accounts of threats to their safety
(PBS) Where trans advocates are focusing efforts after recent court defeats
(ABC) As country turns 250, retired judges hit the road to defend judicial independence
Doing Nothing is Not Acceptable
Doing Nothing is Not Acceptable
Courts Matter Illinois Chair Carole Levine shares her framework for coming off the sidelines and making change through our "superpowers." Read her blog post here.
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