7th Circuit Case Commentaries

Responsive Prison Medical Care and Strict Summary-Judgment Rules Defeat Eighth Amendment Deliberate-Indifference Claims

Date: May 2, 2026

Responsive Prison Medical Care and Strict Summary-Judgment Rules Defeat Eighth Amendment Deliberate-Indifference Claims Introduction In Paul Smith v. Pamela Hart, the Seventh Circuit affirmed summary...

Default Is Not Damages Proof: Lanham Act Plaintiffs Must Support Enhanced Statutory Damages After Default

Date: May 1, 2026

Default Is Not Damages Proof: Lanham Act Plaintiffs Must Support Enhanced Statutory Damages After Default Introduction In Shenzhen Huajie Technology Co., Ltd. v. Shenzhen Leyibei Technology Co.,...

Failure to Notify the Immigration Court Can Defeat “Exceptional Circumstances” for Reopening an In Absentia Removal Order

Date: Apr 30, 2026

Failure to Notify the Immigration Court Can Defeat “Exceptional Circumstances” for Reopening an In Absentia Removal Order Introduction In Souleymane Nimaga v. Todd W. Blanche, the Seventh Circuit...

IDHR “Complainant Information Sheet” Is Not an ADA Charge, but Misleading Agency Communications May Equitably Toll the 300-Day Deadline

Date: Apr 29, 2026

IDHR “Complainant Information Sheet” Is Not an ADA Charge, but Misleading Agency Communications May Equitably Toll the 300-Day Deadline 1. Introduction Kimberly Ballard v. Ameren Illinois Company...

Stream-of-Benefits Bribery in the Seventh Circuit: Specific “Official Act” Matter Required, and “Corruptly” Means Knowing the Payment Is a Bribe Under § 666

Date: Apr 29, 2026

Stream-of-Benefits Bribery in the Seventh Circuit: Specific “Official Act” Matter Required, and “Corruptly” Means Knowing the Payment Is a Bribe Under § 666 I. Introduction United States v. Michael...

Police-Involved-Shooting Reviews Do Not Automatically Trigger U.S.S.G. § 2J1.2(c) “Murder Investigation” Cross-Reference; Upward Variances May Rest on Policy Disagreement with § 2K2.1 in Non-Routine Straw Purchases

Date: Apr 28, 2026

Police-Involved-Shooting Reviews Do Not Automatically Trigger U.S.S.G. § 2J1.2(c) “Murder Investigation” Cross-Reference; Upward Variances May Rest on Policy Disagreement with § 2K2.1 in Non-Routine...

United States v. Ashantae Corruthers: Upward Variances for Straw Purchases Based on Case-Specific Dangerous Consequences and Policy Disagreement with U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1; Limits on U.S.S.G. § 2J1.2(c) When No Underlying Murder Investigation Exists

Date: Apr 28, 2026

United States v. Ashantae Corruthers: Upward Variances for Straw Purchases Based on Case-Specific Dangerous Consequences and Policy Disagreement with U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1; Limits on U.S.S.G. § 2J1.2(c)...

United States v. Melega: Coordination-and-Concealment Supports Sophisticated-Means and Manager Enhancements; Co-Defendant Disparity May Rest on Accountability and Uncharged Similar Misconduct

Date: Apr 26, 2026

United States v. Melega: Coordination-and-Concealment Supports Sophisticated-Means and Manager Enhancements; Co-Defendant Disparity May Rest on Accountability and Uncharged Similar Misconduct 1....

Strict PLRA Exhaustion in Illinois: Missing ARB Attachments and Untimely Grievances Defeat Eighth Amendment Medical-Policy Claims

Date: Apr 26, 2026

Strict PLRA Exhaustion in Illinois: Missing ARB Attachments and Untimely Grievances Defeat Eighth Amendment Medical-Policy Claims Introduction In Paul Blake v. Wexford Health Sources, Inc. (7th Cir....

Egan Is Nonjurisdictional: Security-Clearance Deference Requires Merits Dismissal, Not Rule 12(b)(1)

Date: Apr 25, 2026

Egan Is Nonjurisdictional: Security-Clearance Deference Requires Merits Dismissal, Not Rule 12(b)(1) 1. Introduction In Dored Shiba v. Markwayne Mullin (7th Cir. Apr. 23, 2026), the Seventh Circuit...

Lincoln v. Bisignano: Substantial-Evidence Deference for RFC Findings on Intermittent Cane Use, Fatigue, and “Supportability/Consistency” Medical-Opinion Review

Date: Apr 24, 2026

Lincoln v. Bisignano: Substantial-Evidence Deference for RFC Findings on Intermittent Cane Use, Fatigue, and “Supportability/Consistency” Medical-Opinion Review I. Introduction In Michael Lincoln v....

Claim-of-Right Must Be Addressed Independently of Trust-Fund Doctrine; “Other Property” in Treas. Reg. § 1.451-4 Not Limited to Tangibles

Date: Apr 24, 2026

Claim-of-Right Must Be Addressed Independently of Trust-Fund Doctrine; “Other Property” in Treas. Reg. § 1.451-4 Not Limited to Tangibles Introduction In Hyatt Hotels Corporation & Subsidiaries v....

Rehabilitation Act § 504 Imposes a “Solely by Reason of” Causation Requirement (Not ADA But-For)

Date: Apr 24, 2026

Rehabilitation Act § 504 Imposes a “Solely by Reason of” Causation Requirement (Not ADA But-For) Introduction In Keisha Lewis v. Indiana Department of Transportation (7th Cir. Apr. 22, 2026), the...

No Severance Prejudice Where Other-Act Evidence Is Cross-Admissible and Lay Identification by an Intimate Partner Is Proper Under Rule 701 (Seventh Circuit Anders Dismissal)

Date: Apr 24, 2026

No Severance Prejudice Where Other-Act Evidence Is Cross-Admissible and Lay Identification by an Intimate Partner Is Proper Under Rule 701 (Seventh Circuit Anders Dismissal) Introduction In United...

States May Condition ENDS Sales on FDA Premarket Authorization Without TCA/FDCA Preemption

Date: Apr 23, 2026

States May Condition ENDS Sales on FDA Premarket Authorization Without TCA/FDCA Preemption I. Introduction Case: Wisconsinites for Alternatives to Smoking v. David Casey (7th Cir. Apr. 21, 2026)....

Facial Challenges to Pre‑K–3 Curriculum Limits Fail Where “Instruction on Human Sexuality” Has a Discernable Core and Largely Regulates Unprotected Official‑Duties Speech

Date: Apr 23, 2026

Facial Challenges to Pre‑K–3 Curriculum Limits Fail Where “Instruction on Human Sexuality” Has a Discernable Core and Largely Regulates Unprotected Official‑Duties Speech Introduction Kayla Smiley v....

Waiver of Rule 14 Severance Without Renewal at Close of Evidence; Proper Joinder of Similar Bank Robberies and Identity Proof by Modus Operandi

Date: Apr 21, 2026

Waiver of Rule 14 Severance Without Renewal at Close of Evidence; Proper Joinder of Similar Bank Robberies and Identity Proof by Modus Operandi 1. Introduction In United States v. Christopher Porter...

Experience-Based Reliability Under Rule 702 (Including Photoshop-Adjusted Fingerprint Images) and Enforceable Circuit Rule 30 Certifications

Date: Apr 20, 2026

Experience-Based Reliability Under Rule 702 (Including Photoshop-Adjusted Fingerprint Images) and Enforceable Circuit Rule 30 Certifications I. Introduction United States v. Omari Andrews, Jr. (7th...

Economic Detriment Alone Cannot Satisfy “Exceptional and Extremely Unusual Hardship,” and Reopening Requires Previously Unavailable, Material Evidence Tied to Qualifying Relatives

Date: Apr 20, 2026

Economic Detriment Alone Cannot Satisfy “Exceptional and Extremely Unusual Hardship,” and Reopening Requires Previously Unavailable, Material Evidence Tied to Qualifying Relatives I. Introduction...

Economic Hardship Alone Does Not Meet the “Exceptional and Extremely Unusual Hardship” Standard, and Motions to Reopen Require Previously Unavailable, Material Evidence

Date: Apr 17, 2026

Economic Hardship Alone Does Not Meet the “Exceptional and Extremely Unusual Hardship” Standard, and Motions to Reopen Require Previously Unavailable, Material Evidence I. Introduction Bato Petrov v....