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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
On June 18, at a long-delayed mark-up, the Judiciary Committee approved the following nominees on a 12-10 party-line vote: 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.
They also approved two circuit court nominees opposed by Courts Matter Illinois, Benjamin Flowers to the Sixth Circuit Court and Matthew Schwartz to the Second Circuit Court.
The next hearing is planned for June 24.
Save July 6 at 11AM CT and Register for Webinar on Blockbuster SCOTUS Cases
Save 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.
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; 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 19
Weekly Wrap Up: As of June 19
The Trump administration is actively working to erase our nation’s history, hiding and disappearing any reference to slavery, race, or Jim Crow. Plaques and posters are being removed, monuments to Black heroes in the military are being taken down, and the Smithsonian is being asked to alter exhibits and explanatory text. Our country’s history is being redacted before our very eyes.
The Senate voted to confirm Justin Smith to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (48-43). As we have noted previously, Smith is President Trump’s private lawyer who represents him in the sexual assault case brought by E. Jean Carroll and has a very troubling record that indicates he is neither fair nor independent. Speaking of President Trump’s personal lawyers: Todd Blanche who has been Acting Attorney General has been nominated as Attorney General. Hearings are set to begin in the Judiciary Committee on July 1. Courts Matter Illinois has joined a long list of organizations opposing his confirmation.
The Supreme Court continues to issue its final opinions of the term. After three decisions released June 18, there are 17 more to go. Among the decisions that came out was one in United States v. Hemani, a case where a gun was found along with illegal drugs in the possession of a Texas man, Ali Hemani. In what was essentially a unanimous narrow opinion authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, the Court explicitly did not weigh in on whether laws that ban “addicts or those presently intoxicated from possessing a firearm.”
Headlines
Headlines
(Scotusblog) Court sides with challenger to law banning drug users from possessing guns
(Slate) The Supreme Court will decide whether ICE can hold people indefinitely…
(USAToday) Trump’s legacy rests in the hands of the federal courts
(Politico) Immigration judges are denying ICE detainees release. Federal judges are stepping in.
(Ms.) A case for court reform
Celebrate Pride Month
Celebrate Pride Month
Musician Bob Dylan wrote: “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” It’s a lyric that today reveals much of what motivates our legislatures–resulting in our laws and the directions of our courts–depends on “which way the wind blows.” Courts Matter Illinois seeks to raise public awareness about the importance of our judicial system and asks everyone to take time during Pride Month to remember those who fought for rights we often take for granted. What we think is protected, may not be. Forgetting this is not an option.
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