Update on arbitration of police disciplinary cases: Briefs filed in Illinois Supreme Court case

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 brief yesterday, May 20. Each side will have an opportunity to file an additional brief, and oral arguments will take place after all briefs are filed. It therefore is likely it will be toward the end of this year or later when the Supreme Court decides the case.