Seventh Circuit Splits With Other Circuits on Press Access to ExecutionsJune 9, 2026Legal NewsA divided Seventh Circuit panel ruled Indiana's limits on press access to executions do not violate the First Amendment, widening a circuit split ripe for Supreme Court review.
DOJ Announces Results of FBI Operation Spring Cleaning Nationwide Crime SurgeJune 9, 2026Law and PolicyThe DOJ announced Operation Spring Cleaning results: 1,139 arrests, 615 federal indictments, and seizure of nearly 1,000 firearms in a three-month FBI-led surge.
New Civil Liberties Alliance Sues Illinois Over FOID Card RequirementMay 22, 2026Law and PolicyThe New Civil Liberties Alliance filed a federal lawsuit May 19, 2026, arguing Illinois's FOID Card Act unconstitutionally requires government permission to possess firearms at home.
Federal Jury Awards $49.5M to Boeing 737 MAX Crash FamilyMay 19, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in Chicago awarded $49.5 million in compensatory damages to the family of Samya Stumo in Stumo v. Boeing Co., a wrongful-death trial tied to the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash.
Federal Jury Awards $49.5M in Boeing 737 MAX Wrongful-Death TrialMay 18, 2026VerdictsA Chicago federal jury awarded $49.5 million in compensatory damages to the family of Samya Rose Stumo, killed in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash, against Boeing.
Federal Jury Awards $49.5M to Stumo Family in Boeing 737 MAX TrialMay 15, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in Chicago awarded $49.5 million to the family of Samya Rose Stumo in Estate of Stumo v. Boeing Co., the second civil verdict over the 737 MAX crash.
Illinois Tax Preparer Convicted on All Counts in $11 Million COVID Fraud CaseMay 14, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in the Northern District of Illinois convicted Hiam Hmaidan on all six counts of mail fraud and conspiracy for a $11 million COVID-19 unemployment assistance fraud scheme.
Federal Indictment Unsealed Against Chicago-Area Businessman in $4 Million Fraud CaseMay 10, 2026Law and PolicyA federal indictment unsealed in Chicago charges Raed Naser with 11 wire fraud and 4 money laundering counts tied to two schemes totaling roughly $4 million.
Thermos Class Action Targets Stopper Defect Linked to Vision LossMay 8, 2026Law and PolicyA class action filed May 4, 2026, in the Northern District of Illinois targets Thermos LLC over a stopper defect in 8.2 million recalled units linked to vision loss.
Seventh Defendant Charged in Chicago-Area Cryptocurrency Kidnapping ConspiracyMay 5, 2026Law and PolicyFederal prosecutors charge a seventh suspect in a Chicago-area cryptocurrency kidnapping conspiracy, as all defendants face detention without bond in the Northern District of Illinois.