Update on arbitration of police disciplinary cases: Briefs filed in Illinois Supreme Court case and oral argument scheduled

Currently before the Supreme Court of Illinois is the appeal filed by the Fraternal Order of Police challenging the lower courts' rulings requiring arbitration proceedings for the most serious police disciplinary cases be open to the public.

The union filed its opening brief on February 4, 2026, and the City filed its intial brief on May 20. In addition to the union's and City's briefs, "friend-of-the-court" (amicus curiae) briefs were filed by the Illinois attorney general, academic and policy groups, and organizations and community leaders.

The union filed its second brief on June 24 and the City filed its second brief on July 23. The Court has scheduled oral argument for Thursday, September 24, at 9:00am in Springfield.