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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
An expected June 4 mark-up was canceled and the following nominees are expected to be added to the scheduled marke-up on June 11: Jeffrey Kuntz to the District Court for the Southern District of Florida; Mike Hendershot to the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; and John Marck and Arthur “Rob” Jones to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas was canceled.
Two circuit court nominees, Benjamin Flowers to the Sixth Circuit Court and Matthew Schwartz to the Second Circuit Court, opposed by Courts Matter Illinois, are expected to be included in the June 11 mark-up.
The next hearing is planned for June 10 with: Judge Daniel Traynor to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals; Kasdin Mitchell to the District Court for the Northern District of Texas; Angela Colmenero to the District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Antonio Pozos to the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; and Michael Martin to the District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Save the Date July 6 at 11AM CT and Register for Webinar on Blockbuster SCOTUS Cases
Save the Date July 6 at 11AM CT and Register for Webinar on Blockbuster SCOTUS Cases
Join our national partner National Council of Jewish Women on July 6 at 11am CT (12PM ET) for “Gavel Down: The Supreme Court’s Biggest Cases of the 2025-2026 Term.”
Dahlia Lithwick, award-winning legal journalist, longtime Supreme Court correspondent for Slate, and host of the acclaimed Amicus podcast will help us break down the blockbuster cases shaping the country’s future — from reproductive freedom and executive power to lgbtq rights and the limits of federal authority.
Together, we’ll explore how the Court’s rulings will impact our rights and communities, what these decisions signal about the direction of the Court, and what advocates, organizers, and everyday people should be prepared for in the months and years ahead.
This conversation will provide both clarity and context at a pivotal moment for the nation, helping us understand not only what the Court decides, but what those decisions mean for our democracy, institutions, and daily lives. Register here.
Supreme Court Hearings Conclude for 2025-26 Term; Stay Tuned for Decision Updates
Supreme Court Hearings Conclude for 2025-26 Term; Stay Tuned for Decision Updates
As of the end of April, the Supreme Court concluded its hearings of oral arguments for the 2025-26 term. Stay tuned for updates on rulings and decisions from SCOTUS that Courts Matter Illinois will be monitoring.
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 June 5
Weekly Wrap Up: As of June 5
It's become clear that the US Supreme Court means to eliminate protections against racial discrimination in the Voting Rights Act in regards to redistricting.
On June 2, the Court issued an unsigned opinion allowing Alabama to use a gerrymandered electoral map that was found not long ago to have intentionally discriminated against Black voters. Interestingly, in 2023, the Supreme Court agreed with a lower federal court which found that this very same map diluted the power of Black voters and compelled Alabama to redraw its map for 2024 with an additional Black majority district.
Granted this shadow docket opinion came on the heels of Louisiana v. Callais which badly damaged the anti-discrimination protections in Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, but that decision specified that if “intentional discrimination” was found, it was forbidden. In this devastating decision, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the Court’s liberals, issued a stinging dissent: “... just as Alabama doubled down on racial discrimination, the Court today doubles down on chaos. Because I choose to defend the rule of law and the right of all Alabamians to participate equally in democracy, I respectfully dissent.”
Of course the Alabama case — a blockbuster — was a so-called shadow docket case and not on the merits docket of cases publicly argued this term. We await the final rulings from those cases throughout this month. Stay tuned.
The Senate returned to Washington and quickly confirmed two new judges: Kathleen “Katie” Lane (52-46) to the District Court for the District of Montana (opposed by Courts Matter Ilinois) and Jeffrey Kuhlman (52-46) to the District Court for the District of Kansas. Senate Majority Leader John Thune filed cloture on the nomination of Tony Mattivi to the District Court for the District of Kansas (opposed).
Headlines
Headlines
(Slate) The Supreme Court just transformed its horrible voting rights ruling
(Roll Call) Cornyn, Tillis could create ‘wild card situation’ on judiciary
(Balls and Strikes) How Trump is making the federal judiciary White again
(Brennan Center) Why Supreme Court term limits wouldn’t sacrifice judicial independence
(The Hill) Bipartisan group of former judges asks court to investigate Trump’s IRS deal
Separation of Church and State at Risk in the Courts
Separation of Church and State at Risk in the Courts
Courts Matter Illinois Chair and Co-Founder Carole Levine ponders the risks of a recent state court ruling in Texas that blurs the line between religious freedom and public education. Read her latest blog post, "The Ten," here.
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