Judge Sets November 17 Ruling on Illinois and Chicago’s Lawsuit Over Operation Midway Blitz

U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she will rule November 17 on the Department of Homeland Security’s bid to dismiss the lawsuit Illinois and Chicago filed over Operation Midway Blitz, setting the date after 3½ hours of arguments on September 2. The state and city allege the Trump administration “unleashed an organized bombardment” on Illinois and Chicago to “coerce” them into abandoning sanctuary policies. Justice Department attorneys argued that the state and city want to refuse to support federal immigration enforcement while also preventing the government from deploying its own resources, and that individuals who were harmed should bring their own lawsuits. Ellis previously issued a November 6, 2025, preliminary injunction limiting federal agents’ use of force during the eight-week operation, which began September 8, 2025.