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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!
Briefing on Nominee for 8th Circuit Court of Appeals Mar. 31
Briefing on Nominee for 8th Circuit Court of Appeals Mar. 31
Learn more about Justin Smith, nominee for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals who is opposed by Courts Matter Illinois. AFJ Action will hold a virtual briefing on Tuesday Mar. 31 at 12 pm CT to share information about this extreme nominee whose history as a partisan operative and personal attorney to Donald Trump raises serious questions about his ability to be fair and independent. Register here!
Supreme Court Hearings 2026 March/April Schedule
Supreme Court Hearings 2026 March/April Schedule
Here's a schedule of upcoming hearings in 2026 that Courts Matter Illinois is monitoring:
WATSON v. RNC, Mar. 23
NOEM v. AL OTRO LADO, Mar. 24
FLOWER FOODS, INC. v. BROCK, Mar. 25
ABOUAMMO v. UNITED STATES, Mar. 30
PITCHFORD v. CAIN, Mar. 31
TRUMP v. BARBARA, Apr. 1
Visit our SCOTUS Page for more details. Oral arguments occur at 9AM Central. Listen in here.
Senate Judiciary Committee
Senate Judiciary Committee
On March 25, the judiciary committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on: Evan Rikhye to the District Court for the District of the Virgin Islands (which is not a lifetime position); Katie Lane to the District Court for the District of Montana; Sheria Clarke to the District Court for the District of South Carolina; and Kara Westercamp to the Court of International Trade.
Katie Lane (opposed by Courts Matter Illinois) has a troubling record while serving as Montana’s deputy solicitor general as well as the fact that she has not had the 12 years experience recommended by the American Bar Association for a judgeship.
There are also concerns about Kara Westercamp’s nomination. Although the Court of International Trade is not a lifetime appointment, it will have heightened importance as it hears tariff-related cases.
After the spring holiday recess, the committee is planning to hold a hearing on April 15 which is expected to feature: Justin Smith for the Eighth Circuit (opposed by NCJW) and nominees to the District Court for the District of Kansas Tony Mattivi; Jeffrey Kuhlman; and Anthony Powell.
Weekly Wrap Up: Mar. 20
Weekly Wrap Up: Mar. 20
To those celebrating: Eid Mubarak!
The war in Iran rages on. New survivors of sexual assault by powerful men are speaking up, including feminist icon and union leader Delores Huerta. Immigrants are still being targeted. And the assault on democracy continues with the attack on voting rights taking center stage.
Republicans hope to pass the so-called SAVE Act, a bill that would institutionalize steep barriers to voting. The bill is unlikely to muster the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster as evidenced by the motion to proceed which passed 51-48 with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voting with Democrats against bringing up the bill.
President Trump is putting pressure on Republicans to change the filibuster rules to require a simple majority to invoke cloture and end the filibuster which is a bridge too far for even some Republicans.
The Senate did find time to confirm Anna St. John, an unqualified and extreme nominee opposed by Courts Matter Illinois, to the District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (51-45). To date there are 34 confirmed judges in Trump’s second term. Three nominees are pending on the floor: John Thomas Shepherd to the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, and Andrew Davis and Chris Wolfe to the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. It is not likely that they will receive a vote this week.
Headlines
Headlines
(Slate) The Supreme Court just heeded one of Ketanji Brown Jackson’s sharpest dissents
(CBS) Trump judicial confirmation machine shows signs on slowing compared to first term boom
(Hill) Chief Justice Roberts speaks out about hostility toward judges
(Time) Trump lashes out at Supreme Court and district court Judge Boasberg
(Reuters) US judges condemn Trump appointee’s ‘vulgar barroom talk’ in transgender bias case
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