Judge refuses to order school to suspend transgender policy

A federal judge in Chicago won't force a suburban school district to suspend a policy that enables transgender students to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice, concluding in a new ruling that decades-old anti-discrimination statutes extend to students whose gender identity isn't conventional. U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso's refusal late Friday to impose a preliminary injunction is a legal blow for more than 50 families who sued in hopes of getting the Township High School District 211 in Palatine, just northwest of Chicago, to end the policy for good.

Court: a Making a Murderera defendanta s confession stands

A federal appeals court in Chicago narrowly overturned a ruling Friday that could have freed a Wisconsin inmate featured in the "Making a Murderer" series from prison, though one dissenting judge called the case "a profound miscarriage of justice." The full 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed Brendan Dassey 's claims that investigators tricked him into confessing that he took part in raping and killing photographer Teresa Halbach in 2005.

Trump announces five more judges to be considered for Supreme Court

Already well on his way to reshaping the federal judiciary, President Trump announced Friday the names of five more conservative jurists that he will consider for the next Supreme Court vacancy. The new list of candidates for the high court includes Judge Brett Kavanaugh, a conservative stalwart on the high-profile U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Federal judge strikes down tax-free housing for clergy

A federal judge in Wisconsin has struck down as unconstitutional a law that gives clergy tax-free housing allowances, in a ruling that could have far-reaching ramifications for religious leaders who have fought for years to keep the substantial financial benefit. Under the federal law passed in 1954, a "minister of the gospel" doesn't pay income taxes on compensation that is designated part of a housing allowance.

Full federal court to hear ‘Making a Murderer’ appeal

A federal appeals court will consider arguments Tuesday over whether detectives tricked a Wisconsin inmate featured in the "Making a Murderer" series into confessing and whether he should go free in a case that puts police practices in the spotlight. Oral arguments in Brendan Dassey's case are before all 12 judges of the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago.

Catholic leaders decry Dems’ questioning of judicial pick

In this May 10, 2017, file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Catholic leaders and university presidents are objecting to Feinstein's line of questioning for one of President Donald Trump's judicial nominees, arguing the focus on her faith is misplaced and runs counter to the Constitution's prohibition on religious tests for political office.

Transgender bathroom battle could be headed back to Supreme Court

A Wisconsin school district is asking the Supreme Court to review an appeals court's decision allowing a transgender teenager to use the boys' bathroom while the student's lawsuit proceeds through the courts. Ashton Whitaker, a biological 18-year-old girl who identifies as a male and has reportedly begun hormone replacement therapy, challenged as discriminatory a policy that directs boys and girls to use the bathroom that comports with the gender listed on their birth certificates.

Will Trump’s enduring legacy be a right-wing judiciary?

In this March 21, 2017 file photo, Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. A divided Senate Judiciary Committee backed Gorsuch, Monday, April 3, 2017.

‘Worthless’ Subway ‘Footlong’ sandwich settlement is thrown out: U.S. court

A U.S. federal appeals court on Friday threw out a class-action settlement intended to resolve claims that the Subway sandwich chain deceived customers by selling "Footlong" subs that were less than a foot long. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago called the settlement "utterly worthless," even as it rewarded the customers' lawyers for convincing Subway it was better to make the case go away than fight.

Lloyd’s syndicate wins dispute over settlement

A settlement agreement that called for a Lloyd's of London syndicate to pay for a $5.1 million settlement in a dispute involving claims management firm and an insurance agency, in which the syndicate was not involved, was "collusive and distorts the adversarial process," a federal appeals court ruled on Friday. Lloyd's syndicate Novae Corporate Underwriting Ltd. had issued an insurance policy to Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., parent company of Birmingham, Alabama-based Cunningham Lindsey Claims Management Inc., that had a $1 million retention and covered both Fairfax and Cunningham, according to Friday's ruling by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago in Diane M. Hendricks and Hendricks Holding Company Inc. v.

Sexual orientation Title VII cases work way toward Supreme Court

When the Trump Justice Department last month asserted that civil rights laws don't protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, it clashed with another part of the administration - the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - which previously claimed that the laws did apply. Federal appeals judges are also at odds.

Trump court appointee did not clear Wisconsin vetting

President Donald Trump's pick to fill a long-standing federal appellate court vacancy never cleared a state vetting commission, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin's office said Friday. Trump's administration announced Friday morning that he had chosen Milwaukee attorney Michael Brennan to fill the opening on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.