Former Bolingbrook Officer Convicted on All Counts in Federal Extortion CaseJune 18, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in Chicago convicted former Bolingbrook police officer Antoine Larry on conspiracy, extortion, and attempted extortion charges. Judge Kness sentenced Larry to five years and three months in federal prison on June 8, 2026.
Federal Jury Convicts Illinois Man on Five NFA Gun CountsJune 18, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in Benton, Illinois convicted Yaroslav Vishnevski on five NFA charges after 30 minutes of deliberation, finding he manufactured and possessed unregistered short-barreled rifles and silencers.
DOJ Civil Rights Division Seeks to Join Evanston Reparations LawsuitJune 18, 2026Law and PolicyThe DOJ Civil Rights Division moves to intervene in a federal lawsuit challenging Evanston, Illinois's race-based reparations housing program under the Equal Protection Clause.
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.
Supreme Court Strips Freight Brokers of Federal Preemption Shield in 9-0 RulingMay 29, 2026Legal NewsThe Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that freight brokers can be sued under state negligent hiring law, ending a federal preemption defense the industry used for years to block tort claims.
Costco Faces Class Action Over IEEPA Tariff Refund WindfallMay 29, 2026Law and PolicyA March 2026 class action alleges Costco wrongfully kept tariff cost increases from consumers and now stands to collect over $1 billion in government refunds.
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 Convicts Felon on Firearm Charge in East St. LouisMay 19, 2026VerdictsA federal jury in East St. Louis convicted Anthony D. Bradley Jr. of felon-in-possession of a firearm after a two-day trial; sentencing is set for September 1, 2026.
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.