Chicago Headline Club, et al. v. Noem, et al.

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Chicago Headline Club, et al. v. Noem, et al., No. 25-cv-12173 (N.D. Ill., filed Oct. 6, 2025) and 25-03023 (11th Cir., filed Nov. 9, 2025)

On October 6, 2025, plaintiff demonstrators filed a lawsuit stemming from “Operation Midway Blitz,” in which the Trump Administration has ramped up immigration enforcement operations and deployed federal officers led by Border Patrol officer Gregory Bovino to Broadview and other Chicagoland area locations. Civilians, elected officials, and religious leaders in the community gathered outside of the Broadview ICE facility to protest the federal response. The complaint alleges federal law enforcement, in attempting to quash largely peaceful protest and corresponding media coverage, have responded with excessively violent tactics and random arrests. The complaint alleges violations of the class members’ first and fourth amendment rights, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), and the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).

On October 9, the Court granted plaintiffs’ emergency Motion for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against defendants’ certain uses of force, dispersal orders, use of riot control weapons, arrest of journalists and nonviolent protestors, and concealment of identities.

On October 21, 2025, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that included plaintiffs who had been protesting against ICE tactics in Chicago neighborhoods when federal agents deployed pepper balls or tear gas against them.  Plaintiffs also filed a motion for preliminary injunction seeking further protection for protesters, clergy, and members of the press as the litigation moves forward.On November 6, 2025, the District Court issued a preliminary injunction extending the limitations on the use of force by federal officers, as delineated in the October 9 TRO. The government has appealed and sought a stay of the injunction.

Documents:

Counsel: Loevy & Loevy, Protect Democracy, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law – Community Justice

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