Case: Tahboub v. Northwestern University

1:25-cv-12614 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2025

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case further). In 2025, several Palestinian students sued Northwestern University, alleging that the University was surpressing pro-Palestinian speech. 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71659411/parties/tahboub-v-northwestern-university/


Attorney for Plaintiff

Abraham, Christina W. (Illinois)

Bolanos, Maria De (Illinois)

Cowlin, Patrick James (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Ashley, Carol Rose (Illinois)

Brown, Jacqueline Marie (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

No documents yet available via the Clearinghouse.

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71659411/tahboub-v-northwestern-university/

Last updated Dec. 7, 2025, 11:18 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT filed by Marwa Tahboub, Ifeayin Ogbuli, Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine; Jury Demand. Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-24204183.(Kapitan, Rima) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

RECAP
2

CIVIL Cover Sheet (Kapitan, Rima) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

3

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub by Rima Kapitan (Kapitan, Rima) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

4

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub by Maria De Las Nieves Bolanos (Bolanos, Maria) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

5

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub by Patrick James Cowlin (Cowlin, Patrick) (Entered: 10/15/2025)

Oct. 15, 2025

Oct. 15, 2025

6

WAIVER OF SERVICE returned executed by Marwa Tahboub, Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli. All Defendants. (Bolanos, Maria) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

7

MOTION by Plaintiffs Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub for temporary restraining order (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1_Melles, # 2 Exhibit 2_Cohen, # 3 Exhibit 3_Jaliff, # 4 Exhibit 4_Lee, # 5 Exhibit 5_Melles, # 6 Exhibit 6_Ogbuli, # 7 Exhibit 7_Peshkin, # 8 Exhibit 8_Tahboub, # 9 Exhibit 9_Zorach)(Kapitan, Rima) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

1 Exhibit 1_Melles

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2 Exhibit 2_Cohen

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3 Exhibit 3_Jaliff

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4 Exhibit 4_Lee

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5 Exhibit 5_Melles

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6 Exhibit 6_Ogbuli

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7 Exhibit 7_Peshkin

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8 Exhibit 8_Tahboub

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9 Exhibit 9_Zorach

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Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

RECAP
8

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant Northwestern University by Monica Hersh Khetarpal (Khetarpal, Monica) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

9

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant Northwestern University by Jacqueline Marie Brown (Brown, Jacqueline) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

10

MOTION by Plaintiffs Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub for leave to file excess pages in Support of Plaintiffs' Application for a Temporary Restraining Order And Order To Show Cause Regarding Preliminary Injunction (Bolanos, Maria) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

11

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub by Christina W. Abraham (Abraham, Christina) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

12

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis: The Court sets a telephonic status hearing for 1:30 p.m. on 10/17/25 on plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order 7 . The dial in number is 650-479-3207; Access code: 2300 875 1799. The parties reported in an email communication to the Courtroom Deputy that they have not been able to reach a standstill agreement. Because the Court is currently presiding over a jury trial, the Court may need to adjust the time of tomorrow's hearing. The parties are therefore advised to monitor the docket for any time changes. (ca, ) (Entered: 10/16/2025)

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

case assigned

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

clerk's notice

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Keri L. Holleb Hotaling. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 1). (mam, )

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (mam, )

Oct. 16, 2025

Oct. 16, 2025

13

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis: Hearing held on 10/17/25 on plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order 7 . Defendant declined to enter into a 30-day standstill agreement. Given the nature of the relief plaintiffs seek, defendant's response to plaintiffs' motion, along with all accompanying evidentiary materials, is due by 5:00 p.m. on 10/18/25. Plaintiff's reply is due by 10/19/25 at 10:00 a.m. The motion is entered and continued until 10/20/25 at 2:00 p.m. for an in-person hearing. If the parties intend to present live testimony, they should notify the Court, by email to the Courtroom Deputy, by 12 p.m. on 10/19/25, along with a brief description of the witness testimony they intend to present. (ca, ) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

14

RESPONSE by Defendant Northwestern University DEFENDANTS RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS APPLICATION FOR (1) TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND (2) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE REGARDING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION (Khetarpal, Monica) (Entered: 10/18/2025)

Oct. 18, 2025

Oct. 18, 2025

RECAP
15

EXHIBIT by Defendant Northwestern University Exhibits to Defendant' Response in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Application for (1) Temporary Restraining Order and (2) Order to Show Cause Regarding Preliminary Injuction regarding Response 14 (Khetarpal, Monica) (Entered: 10/18/2025)

Oct. 18, 2025

Oct. 18, 2025

16

REPLY by Northwestern Graduate Workers for Palestine, Ifeayin Eziamaka Ogbuli, Marwa Tahboub to Response 14 (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1_Stevens, # 2 Exhibit 2_Thrasher, # 3 Exhibit 3_Tilley, # 4 Exhibit 4_Bez, # 5 Exhibit 5_Dumont, # 6 Exhibit 6_Winegar)(Kapitan, Rima) (Entered: 10/19/2025)

1 Exhibit 1_Stevens

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2 Exhibit 2_Thrasher

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3 Exhibit 3_Tilley

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4 Exhibit 4_Bez

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5 Exhibit 5_Dumont

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6 Exhibit 6_Winegar

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Oct. 19, 2025

Oct. 19, 2025

RECAP
17

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis: Plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order 7 is reset for 10/20/25 at 1:00 p.m. (Time change only). (ca, ) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

RECAP
18

MOTION by Defendant Northwestern University for leave to file DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE OPPOSITION IN EXCESS OF 15 PAGES TO PLAINTIFFS' APPLICATION FOR (1) TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AND (2) ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE REGARDING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION (Khetarpal, Monica) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

RECAP
19

NOTICE of Motion by Monica Hersh Khetarpal for presentment of motion for leave to file, 18 before Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis on 10/23/2025 at 09:30 AM. (Khetarpal, Monica) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

RECAP
20

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendant Northwestern University by Carol Rose Ashley (Ashley, Carol) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

RECAP
21

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis: Motion hearing held on 10/20/25. For the reasons stated on the record, plaintiffs' motion for a temporary restraining order 7 is denied. Plaintiffs' motion for leave to file supporting memorandum in excess of fifteen pages 10 and Northwestern's motion for leave to file an opposition in excess of fifteen pages 18 are granted. Northwestern is directed to answer plaintiffs' complaint by 11/19/2025. The parties are directed to file a joint initial status report by 11/24/2025. Status hearing set for 12/2/2025 at 9:30 a.m. (ca, ) (Entered: 10/20/2025)

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

RECAP
22

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS held on October 20, 2025 before the Honorable Georgia N. Alexakis. Court Reporter Contact Information: Jennifer Costales, CRR, RMR, CRC - jenny.uscra@yahoo.com. IMPORTANT: The transcript may be viewed at the court's public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through the Court Reporter/Transcriber or PACER. For further information on the redaction process, see the Court's web site at www.ilnd.uscourts.gov under Quick Links select Policy Regarding the Availability of Transcripts of Court Proceedings. Redaction Request due 11/12/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 11/24/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/20/2026. (Costales, Jennifer) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

23

motion for extension of time to file

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

24

motion to dismiss

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

25

memorandum in support of motion

Nov. 19, 2025

Nov. 19, 2025

RECAP
26

order on motion for extension of time to file

Nov. 20, 2025

Nov. 20, 2025

27

report of rule 26(f) planning meeting

Nov. 24, 2025

Nov. 24, 2025

28

status hearing

Dec. 2, 2025

Dec. 2, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Education

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 15, 2025

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:25-cv-12614