Case: Espinoza v. Blanche

1:26-cv-05157 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: May 4, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case.)

On May 5, 2026, Plaintiff - a Chicago immigration judge - filed this lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and of the First Amendment following her termination from the position. Plaintiff argued that her termination was one in a series of firings motivated by race or national origin animus, through which Defendant Blanche intended to fire judges that may be likelier to hand down immigrant-friendly rulings.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73294104/parties/espinoza-v-blanche/


Judge(s)

Kocoras, Charles Petros (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Lee, David L. (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:26-cv-05157

complaint

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73294104/espinoza-v-blanche/

Last updated May 13, 2026, 7:05 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT of Civil Rights Violations filed by Carla I Espinoza; jury demand. Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-25071909. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A -- Verification of Complaint paragraphs 3 - 44)(Lee, David) (Entered: 05/05/2026)

1 Exhibit A -- Verification of Complaint paragraphs 3 - 44

View on PACER

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

Clearinghouse
2

CIVIL Cover Sheet (Lee, David) (Entered: 05/05/2026)

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

3

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Carla I Espinoza by David L. Lee as Local Counsel (Lee, David) (Entered: 05/05/2026)

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

6

SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to All Defendants (Attachments: # 1 Summons for Department of Justice)(ee, ) (Entered: 05/05/2026)

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

case assigned

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

clerk's notice

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Daniel P. McLaughlin. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 1). (aw, )

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

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. (aw, )

May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Equal Employment

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 4, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:26-cv-05157

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Recommended Citation