Order

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit will be closed as follows:

• early closure (3 p.m.) on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, except for the clerk’s office which will remain open with a skeleton crew;
• closed on Thursday, December 25, 2025, and Friday, December 26, 2025, in observance of the Christmas holiday; and
• closed on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and Friday, January 2, 2026, in observance of the New Year holiday.

Any matter previously set for December 26, 2025, will be continued to December 29, 2025.

Any matter previously set for January 2, 2026, will be continued to January 5, 2026.

Press Release

Chief Judge Michael B. Brennan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel R. Fine to a 14-year term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Mr. Fine will assume his duties on January 20, 2026 in Chicago and succeeds Bankruptcy Judge Donald R. Cassling who will retire in January 2026.

Please Note: The Court will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, 2025, in observance of the holiday.

NOTICE

United States Bankruptcy Judge Timothy A. Barnes of the Northern District of Illinois has applied to be reappointed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to a new 14-year term when his current term expires on May 15, 2026. A United States Bankruptcy Judge is a judicial officer of the United States District Court who exercises the authority of the court with respect to any action, suit, or proceeding under Chapter 6 of Title 28 of the United States Code. 28 U.S.C. § 151. Comments are invited from the public and members of the bar as to whether Judge Barnes should be reappointed. Those comments, which will be kept confidential, should be in writing and sent by December 30, 2025, to:

David E. Hollar
Circuit Executive
Judicial Council of the Seventh Circuit
219 South Dearborn Street
Room 2780
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Email: ca07_circuit_executive@ca7.uscourts.gov

Seventh Circuit Continues Case Operations During Government Shutdown

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit will continue case processing operations during any Government Shutdown caused by the failure to enact an annual appropriation bill or a continuing resolution. The court will continue to docket new cases, receive documents for filing, determine motions, hear cases on submission and by argument, and decide cases. All cases currently calendared for oral argument will go forward as scheduled. Unless the court orders otherwise, federal government attorneys are expected to appear for oral argument despite any lapse in appropriations or shutdown.

Because the court will remain open for business during any shutdown, filing dates will not be automatically extended. Parties remain obligated to comply with the filing requirements of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure and this court’s Local Rules.

The Committee on Federal Criminal Jury Instructions of the Seventh Circuit submits the attached proposed new and revised pattern criminal jury instructions for public comment. The Committee will accept comments through October 10, 2025.

Please see the notice for details.

Notice of Adoption of Modifications to Circuit Rules 46 and 51 and the Creation of Circuit Rule 46.1. On June 18, 2024, this court issued notice that it proposed modifications to Circuit Rules 46 and 51, and the creation of Circuit Rule 46.1. The court carefully considered the comments received. The court hereby provides notice of adoption of the aforementioned changes, effective immediately.

Please see the notice for details.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has adopted a new Appellate Criminal Justice Act Plan revising the procedures for appointment of counsel on appeal for persons who are financially eligible for representation at public expense in criminal or collateral-relief proceedings as provided in the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A. The Plan calls for the creation of a formal court-approved panel of private attorneys eligible for appointment under the CJA when the federal defenders cannot or do not provide appellate representation.

The court invites private attorneys to apply for admission to the new appellate CJA panel. Starting in 2025, the court will appoint counsel in CJA-qualifying appeals pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Associated revisions to circuit rules take effect on December 31, 2024.

Please see the court’s CJA page for details and the application form for panel membership.

Special note to attorneys willing to accept appointment to represent civil litigants on a pro bono basis: The court invites you to use the application form on the court’s CJA page to indicate your interest in accepting appointment to represent eligible civil litigants on a pro bono basis under the in forma pauperis statute, 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(1), and Pruitt v. Mote, 503 F.3d 647 (7th Cir. 2007) (en banc). Please complete the appropriate sections of the application form.

In recognition of the National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter, Jr., the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit will be closed on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Any matter previously set for Thursday, January 9, 2025, is continued to Friday, January 10, 2025, or another date set by the presiding judge in the matter.

Chief Judge Diane S. Sykes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is pleased to announce the appointment of Mary E. Lopinot to a 14-year term as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Illinois.

Please see the Press Release for details.

Notice of proposed rescission of Circuit Rule 35 in anticipation of the elimination of Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 35.
The Court of Appeals also proposes modifications to Circuit Rule 26.1(c).

A redline version of the proposed rescission of Circuit Rule 35 and modifications to Circuit Rule 26.1(c) are provided.
Written comments on the proposed rule changes should be sent by October 29, 2024.
Please see the notice for details.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit seeks applicants for the position of Director of Workplace Relations.

The position is open until filled.
Applications received by October 4, 2024, will receive first consideration.

Please see the vacancy announcement for details.

The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals mourns the passing of Judge Daniel A. Manion.

Notice of Adoption of Modifications to Circuit Rules 31, 34, 40, 47, and 60
On April 12, 2024, this court issued notice that it proposed modifications to Circuit Rules 31, 34, 40, 47, and 60. The court carefully considered the comments received and made an additional modification to Circuit Rule 34. The court hereby provides notice of adoption of the attached modifications, effective immediately. Please see the notice for details.

General Order 24-002
This order rescinds General Order 22-005, effective immediately.
Please see the order for full details.

General Order 24-001
Interim Procedures for the Filing, Service, and Management of Highly Sensitive Documents
This order supersedes General Order 21-001, effective immediately.

Please see the order for full details.

Notice is hereby given that the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, proposes modifications to Circuit Rules 46 and 51, and the creation of Circuit Rule 46.1. Proposed versions of each rule and current and redline versions, where applicable, are included in the notice.
Written comments on the proposed rule changes were to be sent by July 18, 2024.
Please see the notice for details.

Notice is hereby given that the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, proposes modifications to Circuit Rules 34, 47, 60, 31, and 40.

Please see the notice for details which include a red-line excerpt illustrating the changes.