Case: Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now v. United States Department Of Education

1:25-cv-15704 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Dec. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

This case challenges the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discontinue two previously awarded, multi-year federal education grants supporting full-service community schools in Illinois. On December 29, 2025, Afterschool for Children and Teens NOW (ACT Now) Coalition and Metropolitan Family Services filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the U.S. Department of Education and Linda McMahon, in her official capacity as Secretary of Educa…

This case challenges the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to discontinue two previously awarded, multi-year federal education grants supporting full-service community schools in Illinois.

On December 29, 2025, Afterschool for Children and Teens NOW (ACT Now) Coalition and Metropolitan Family Services filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the U.S. Department of Education and Linda McMahon, in her official capacity as Secretary of Education. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief vacating the Department’s notices of non-continuation and denial letters for two Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants awarded under Title IV, Part F, Subpart 2 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

According to the complaint, Congress created the FSCS program to support stable, multi-year investments in high-need schools through integrated academic, health, family, and community services. Plaintiffs alleged that their two grants, awarded in 2023 for five-year project periods running from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028, served approximately 19,000 students across Illinois and supported dozens of school districts and community partners through mental health services, afterschool programming, family engagement, food insecurity initiatives, and other schoolwide interventions. Plaintiffs further alleged that they had received continuation funding for 2025, remained in full compliance with all programmatic and fiscal requirements, and submitted all required reports.

The complaint alleged that on December 12, 2025, nineteen days before the end of the current budget period, the Department issued notices stating that it would not continue the grants for the next budget period because the programs reflected the prior administration’s policy priorities and no longer served the “best interest of the Federal Government.” Plaintiffs timely sought reconsideration, but on December 29, 2025, the Department denied those requests. According to the complaint, the Department did not identify any deficiencies in grant performance, compliance, or progress toward project objectives, instead relying on excerpts from the originally approved grant applications and on language plaintiffs included to satisfy statutory application requirements.

The complaint asserted three Administrative Procedure Act claims and five constitutional claims. Plaintiffs alleged that the Department’s non-continuation decisions were arbitrary and capricious because they lacked a reasoned explanation tied to grantee performance, ignored reconsideration submissions, and relied on vague assertions that continuation was not in the federal government’s best interest. They further alleged that the Department acted contrary to law by retroactively reinterpreting continuation regulations to permit a second review of approved applications based on unpublished policy preferences, and exceeded its statutory authority by treating compliance with Section 427 of the General Education Provisions Act as a basis for denying continuation funding.

Plaintiffs also brought constitutional claims under the Spending Clause, separation of powers, the Fifth Amendment, and the First Amendment. They alleged that the Department imposed retroactive, extra-statutory funding conditions based on current policy preferences, intruding on Congress’s authority over federal spending. They further argued that the undefined “best interest of the Federal Government” standard is impermissibly vague and that the compressed timeline for notice and reconsideration deprived them of procedural due process. Finally, plaintiffs alleged First Amendment violations, claiming the Department both retaliated against protected speech expressed in the grant applications and imposed an unconstitutional condition by effectively requiring plaintiffs to disavow those viewpoints to receive continued funding.

Plaintiffs alleged that, absent immediate relief, they would be forced to cease all FSCS-funded operations on January 1, 2026, terminate staff, unwind contracts, sever community partnerships, and dismantle statewide community school infrastructure mid-school year. They sought vacatur of the non-continuation notices and denial letters, reinstatement and release of continuation funding consistent with governing statutes and regulations, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and attorneys’ fees and costs. 

On December 29, 2025, the same day the complaint was filed, the plaintiffs moved for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and filed a memorandum in support, seeking emergency relief to prevent termination of their federal grant funding.

The following day on December 30, 2025, the court granted pro hac vice motions for plaintiffs’ counsel and set an emergency hearing on the TRO for December 31, 2025.

On December 31, 2025, the court held the emergency hearing and denied plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO for reasons stated on the record, allowing the funding termination to proceed.

On January 6, 2026, the court held a status hearing, issued summons, and later reassigned the case to Judge Martha M. Pacold for all further proceedings.

Between January 27 and February 24, 2026, the court held a series of status hearings, during which the parties reported ongoing negotiations, and the court continued the matter multiple times.

On March 5, 2026, the parties informed the court that they had reached an interim resolution through the end of the school year, and the court set a briefing schedule on defendants’ anticipated motion to dismiss.

On March 16, 2026, defendants filed a motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, along with a supporting memorandum and exhibits. Ten days later, on March 26, 2026, plaintiffs filed their opposition to the motion to dismiss.

The court scheduled oral argument on the motion to dismiss for April 13, 2026.

The case remains ongoing at the pleadings stage.

Summary Authors

Jack Buckfire (4/7/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72083484/parties/afterschool-for-children-and-teens-act-now-v-united-states-department-of/


Judge(s)

Durkin, Thomas Michael (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Chablani, Aneel Lachman (Illinois)

Diaz-Pollack, Beatriz Adriana (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Chicago, AUSA - (Illinois)

Cull, Thomas (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-15704

Complaint

Afterschool for Children and Teens now v. U.S. Department of Education

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

Complaint
6-2

1:25-cv-15704

Declaration of Emily Merolli

Afterschool for Children and Teens Now (Act Now) Coalition v. U.S. Department of Education

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

Declaration/Affidavit

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72083484/afterschool-for-children-and-teens-act-now-v-united-states-department-of/

Last updated June 15, 2026, 3:49 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
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COMPLAINT filed by Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now; Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-24522449. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet)(Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet

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2 Civil Cover Sheet

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Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

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ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Aneel Lachman Chablani (Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

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Complaint Exhibits by Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Declaration Merolli)(Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

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16 Declaration Merolli

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Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

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ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Beatriz Adriana Diaz-Pollack (Diaz-Pollack, Beatriz) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

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MOTION by Plaintiff Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now for temporary restraining order (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

1 Text of Proposed Order

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Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

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MOTION by Plaintiff Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now for temporary restraining order Memorandum in Support of Motion (Attachments: # 1 Appendix, # 2 Declaration Merolli, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit)(Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

1 Appendix

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2 Declaration Merolli

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Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

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CERTIFICATE of Service of Motion for Temporary Restraining Order by Aneel Lachman Chablani on behalf of All Plaintiffs regarding MOTION by Plaintiff Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now for temporary restraining order 5 (Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 12/29/2025)

Dec. 29, 2025

Dec. 29, 2025

8

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Emily Kiyoko Merolli; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24524491. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Merolli, Emily) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

9

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice on behalf of Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now by Jocelyn Eskow Skinner; Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-24524552. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement)(Skinner, Jocelyn) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

10

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Thomas M. Durkin: Motions to appear pro hac vice 8 9 are granted. Mailed notice. (ecw, ) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

11

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: This order is entered by Judge Pacold as Emergency Judge. Telephone emergency motion hearing on plaintiff's motion for temporary restraining order, 5, set for 12/31/2025 at 9:30 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

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DESIGNATION of Patrick Walter Johnson as U.S. Attorney for Defendants Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Education (Johnson, Patrick) (Entered: 12/30/2025)

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Thomas M. Durkin. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable M. David Weisman. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2). (lj, )

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 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. (lj, )

Dec. 30, 2025

Dec. 30, 2025

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: This order is entered by Judge Pacold as Emergency Judge. Telephone emergency motion hearing held on 12/31/2025. Plaintiffs' motion for temporary restraining order, 5, is denied for the reasons stated on the record. Telephone status hearing set for 1/6/2026 at 11:30 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 12/31/2025)

Dec. 31, 2025

Dec. 31, 2025

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ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 12/31/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

Dec. 31, 2025

Dec. 31, 2025

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ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 12/31/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Dec. 31, 2025

Dec. 31, 2025

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NOTIFICATION of Affiliates pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 by All Plaintiffs (Chablani, Aneel) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

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SUMMONS Submitted (Court Participant) for defendant(s) United States Department of Education by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services (Skinner, Jocelyn) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

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SUMMONS Submitted (Court Participant) for defendant(s) Linda McMahon by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services (Skinner, Jocelyn) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

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SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to Linda McMahon and United States Department Of Education (Attachments: # 1 summons)(axk, ) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

20

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 1/6/2026 and continued to 1/27/2026 at 9:20 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Executive Committee: Case reassigned to the Honorable Martha M. Pacold for all further proceedings pursuant to Rule 13 of the Internal Operating Procedures of this Court (Like Kind Agreement IOP13). Mailed notice (Attachments: # 1 Request for Reassignment) (lj, ) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 1/27/2026. The parties report ongoing negotiations. Telephone status hearing is continued to 2/10/2026 at 9:40 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

Jan. 27, 2026

Jan. 27, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 2/10/2026. The parties report ongoing negotiations. Telephone status hearing is continued to 2/17/2026 at 9:20 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 02/10/2026)

Feb. 10, 2026

Feb. 10, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 2/17/2026. The parties report ongoing negotiations. Telephone status hearing is continued to 2/24/2026 at 9:30 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 02/17/2026)

Feb. 17, 2026

Feb. 17, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 2/24/2026. The parties report ongoing negotiations. Telephone status hearing is continued to 3/5/2026 at 9:40 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 02/24/2026)

Feb. 24, 2026

Feb. 24, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 3/5/2026. The parties report that they have reached an interim resolution through the end of the school year. Defendants' motion to dismiss to be filed by 3/16/2026. Plaintiffs shall file their response no later than 3/26/2026. Defendants shall file their reply no later than 3/31/2026. Oral argument set for 4/13/2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2325. Each party will be given 30 minutes to argue the motion. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 03/05/2026)

March 5, 2026

March 5, 2026

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DESIGNATION of Thomas Cull as U.S. Attorney for Defendants Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Education (Cull, Thomas) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

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MOTION by Defendants Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Education to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B)(Cull, Thomas) (Entered: 03/16/2026)

1 Memorandum in Support

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2 Exhibit A

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3 Exhibit B

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March 16, 2026

March 16, 2026

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ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Michael R. Ortega (Ortega, Michael) (Entered: 03/25/2026)

March 25, 2026

March 25, 2026

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RESPONSE by Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Servicesin Opposition to MOTION by Defendants Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Education to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction 28 (Ortega, Michael) (Entered: 03/26/2026)

March 26, 2026

March 26, 2026

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RESPONSE by Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Educationin Support of MOTION by Defendants Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Education to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction 28 (Cull, Thomas) (Entered: 03/31/2026)

March 31, 2026

March 31, 2026

32

SUPPLEMENT to response in opposition to motion, 30 Notice of Supplemental Authority (Ortega, Michael) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

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EXHIBIT by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services regarding supplement 32 (Ortega, Michael) (Entered: 04/01/2026)

April 1, 2026

April 1, 2026

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SUPPLEMENT to response in opposition to motion, 30 Notice of Supplemental Authority (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Skinner, Jocelyn) (Entered: 04/09/2026)

April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

35

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Oral argument held on 4/13/2026. Defendants' motion to dismiss, 28, is taken under advisement. The Court either will issue a ruling or set a ruling from the bench. Telephone status set for 4/20/2026 at 9:00 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 04/13/2026)

April 13, 2026

April 13, 2026

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TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS held on 4/13/26 before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold. Order Number: 55127. Court Reporter Contact Information: Kathleen_Fennell@ilnd.uscourts.gov. 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 5/6/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 5/18/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 7/14/2026. (Fennell, Kathleen) (Entered: 04/15/2026)

April 15, 2026

April 15, 2026

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MOTION by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services for leave to file Supplemental Memorandum (Unopposed) (Attachments: # 1 Supplemental Memorandum)(Ortega, Michael) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

1 Supplemental Memorandum

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April 16, 2026

April 16, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: At Monday's status hearing, plaintiffs should be prepared to discuss which of their requested remedies, labeled A-G on pages 25 and 26 of their complaint, are associated with each of the Counts (I-VIII) they allege. I.e., is Count I associated with each remedy or just a subset. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 04/17/2026)

April 17, 2026

April 17, 2026

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Defendants' Response to ACT Now's Supplemental Memorandum by Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Education (Cull, Thomas) (Entered: 04/19/2026)

April 19, 2026

April 19, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Plaintiffs' unopposed motion for leave to file supplemental memorandum, 37, is granted. Plaintiffs are directed to file the supplemental memorandum as a separate docket entry. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

April 20, 2026

April 20, 2026

41

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 4/20/2026. Defendants' motion to dismiss, 28, remains under advisement. Telephone status set for 4/23/2026 at 9:00 a.m. To join the telephone hearing please dial 650-479-3207 and enter access code 2310 276 7442#. Press # when prompted for an attendee number. Persons granted remote access to proceedings are reminded of the general prohibition against photographing, recording, and rebroadcasting of court proceedings. Violation of these prohibitions may result in sanctions, including removal of court issued media credentials, restricted entry to future hearings, denial of entry to future hearings, or any other sanctions deemed necessary by the Court. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 04/20/2026)

April 20, 2026

April 20, 2026

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MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 4/23/2026. Defendants' motion to dismiss, 28, remains under advisement. Plaintiffs report they intend to file a preliminary injunction motion by 4/30/2026. Defendants to reply by 5/21/2026. Plaintiffs' response due by 6/1/2026. Counsel are directed to confer on availability and timing and reach out to the courtroom deputy to schedule a preliminary injunction hearing. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 04/23/2026)

April 23, 2026

April 23, 2026

43

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Scott C. Solberg (Solberg, Scott) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

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ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Alec J. Solotorovsky (Solotorovsky, Alec) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

45

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services by Elizabeth Mary Hady (Hady, Elizabeth) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

46

MOTION by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services for preliminary injunction (Solberg, Scott) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

47

MOTION by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services for leave to file excess pages (Solberg, Scott) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

48

MEMORANDUM by Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services in support of motion for preliminary injunction 46 (Solberg, Scott) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

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Exhibit List Exhibit List for Memorandum in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Stanton Decl., # 2 Declaration Rivers Decl., # 3 Declaration Long Decl., # 4 Declaration Guilmette Decl., # 5 Declaration Williams Decl., # 6 Declaration Hosfeldt Decl., # 7 Declaration Davis Decl., # 8 Declaration Rea Decl., # 9 Declaration Lovel Decl., # 10 Declaration Jennings Decl., # 11 Declaration Pietrantoni Decl., # 12 Declaration Neal Decl., # 13 Declaration Edgar Decl., # 14 Declaration Lamboley Decl., # 15 Declaration Vogt Decl., # 16 Declaration Clodi Decl., # 17 Declaration Stigge-Kaufman Decl., # 18 Declaration Mateyka Decl., # 19 Declaration O'Connell Decl., # 20 Declaration David Decl., # 21 Declaration Kinsey Decl., # 22 Exhibit Department Guidance, # 23 Declaration Merolli Decl., # 24 Exhibit Hartford Notice, # 25 Exhibit Hartford Denial, # 26 Exhibit El Centro Notice, # 27 Exhibit El Centro Denial, # 28 Exhibit Paterson Notice 1, # 29 Exhibit Paterson Denial 1, # 30 Exhibit Paterson Notice 2, # 31 Exhibit Paterson Denial 2, # 32 Exhibit Prichard Notice, # 33 Exhibit Prichard Denial, # 34 Exhibit Sodus Notice, # 35 Exhibit Sodus Denial, # 36 Exhibit DCPS Notice 1, # 37 Exhibit DCPS Denial 1, # 38 Exhibit DCPS Notice 2, # 39 Exhibit DCPS Denial 2, # 40 Exhibit Duke Notice, # 41 Exhibit Duke Denial, # 42 Exhibit UMD Baltimore Notice, # 43 Exhibit UMD Baltimore Denial, # 44 Exhibit Waco Notice, # 45 Exhibit Waco Denial)(Merolli, Emily) (Entered: 04/30/2026)

1 Declaration Stanton Decl.

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2 Declaration Rivers Decl.

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3 Declaration Long Decl.

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4 Declaration Guilmette Decl.

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5 Declaration Williams Decl.

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6 Declaration Hosfeldt Decl.

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7 Declaration Davis Decl.

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8 Declaration Rea Decl.

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9 Declaration Lovel Decl.

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10 Declaration Jennings Decl.

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11 Declaration Pietrantoni Decl.

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12 Declaration Neal Decl.

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13 Declaration Edgar Decl.

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14 Declaration Lamboley Decl.

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15 Declaration Vogt Decl.

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16 Declaration Clodi Decl.

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17 Declaration Stigge-Kaufman Decl.

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18 Declaration Mateyka Decl.

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19 Declaration O'Connell Decl.

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20 Declaration David Decl.

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21 Declaration Kinsey Decl.

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22 Exhibit Department Guidance

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23 Declaration Merolli Decl.

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24 Exhibit Hartford Notice

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25 Exhibit Hartford Denial

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26 Exhibit El Centro Notice

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27 Exhibit El Centro Denial

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28 Exhibit Paterson Notice 1

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29 Exhibit Paterson Denial 1

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30 Exhibit Paterson Notice 2

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31 Exhibit Paterson Denial 2

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32 Exhibit Prichard Notice

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33 Exhibit Prichard Denial

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34 Exhibit Sodus Notice

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35 Exhibit Sodus Denial

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36 Exhibit DCPS Notice 1

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37 Exhibit DCPS Denial 1

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38 Exhibit DCPS Notice 2

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39 Exhibit DCPS Denial 2

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40 Exhibit Duke Notice

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41 Exhibit Duke Denial

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42 Exhibit UMD Baltimore Notice

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43 Exhibit UMD Baltimore Denial

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44 Exhibit Waco Notice

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45 Exhibit Waco Denial

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April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

50

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Preliminary injunction hearing on plaintiff's motion 46 scheduled for 6/8/26 at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2325. Plaintiffs' unopposed motion for leave to file brief in excess of fifteen pages, 47, is granted. Mailed notice. (exr, ) (Entered: 05/04/2026)

May 4, 2026

May 4, 2026

RECAP
51

RESPONSE by Linda McMahon, United States Department Of Educationin Opposition to MOTION by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services for preliminary injunction 46 (Cull, Thomas) (Entered: 05/21/2026)

May 21, 2026

May 21, 2026

RECAP
52

REPLY by Plaintiffs Afterschool for Children and Teens (ACT) Now, Metropolitan Family Services to motion for preliminary injunction 46 (Solberg, Scott) (Entered: 06/01/2026)

June 1, 2026

June 1, 2026

RECAP
53

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: The 6/8/2026 preliminary injunction hearing on plaintiff's motion 46 scheduled for 9:00 a.m. is stricken and reset for 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 2325. TIME CHANGE ONLY. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 06/05/2026)

June 5, 2026

June 5, 2026

55

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Martha M. Pacold: Telephone status hearing held on 6/10/2026. The pending motions 28, 46 remain under advisement. Mailed notice. (lxk, ) (Entered: 06/10/2026)

June 10, 2026

June 10, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Education

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Dec. 29, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Nonprofit organizations that administer federally funded Full-Service Community Schools programs serving tens of thousands of students in Illinois.

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of Educaiton

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Separation of Powers

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:25-cv-15704

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Funding

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

Retaliation

Discrimination Area:

Content/viewpoint discrimination

Recommended Citation