The United States Appellate Court for the Seventh Circuit will hear oral arguments at Northern Illinois University College of Law located in Swen Parson Hall in DeKalb on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
The Appellate Court will hear arguments in six cases starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Riley Courtroom #170 (doors open at 9 a.m. and all guests are asked to be seated by 9:30 a.m.). A summary of the cases before the court can be found here.
Program agenda for the day (all in the Riley Courtroom #170):
9:00 am: Courtroom Opens – all attendees will go through security
9:30–10:45 am: Oral arguments (first three cases)
10:45–11 am: Break
11 am–12:30 pm: Oral arguments (second three cases)
12:30-1:20 pm: Q&A with the Attorneys and Lunch sponsored by Moot Court Society
1:30–2:30 pm: Q&A with the Appellate Court Justices moderated by Prof. Greg Elinson
Seating in the Courtroom will be available on a first-come basis. Overflow seating will also be available in Swen Parson Room 188 and in the North Wing of the Law Library (second floor). Due to the high level of interest expected for this event and limited seating, we will clear the Courtroom during the 10:45 a.m. break to give others an opportunity to attend and experience the arguments from inside the Courtroom. If there is room, those of you who would like to re-enter may do so.
All attendees entering the Courtroom will be required to go through security. Backpacks, other large items or bags, food, and drink will not be allowed. Proper courtroom decorum will be required.
A question-and-answer session and lunch with some of the attorneys will be hosted by the Moot Court Society immediately following the oral arguments from 12:30-1:20 pm. A question-and-answer session with the Justices will follow from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Overflow seating for these programs will also be available in the North Wing of the Law Library (second floor).
The event is open to the public.
Parking for General Attendees:
General attendees should park in the Visitor’s Parking Lot located 121 Carroll Avenue DeKalb, IL 60115. Visit campus parking for maps and additional information. Please be aware of any restricted spaces. Tickets received are at the owner’s expense.
The Visitor’s Parking Lot can only be accessed from Lincoln Highway. Once parked, head towards the Student Center (tall tan building north of the parking lot) and enter on the west side of the building through the far north doors. Head up the flight of stairs and follow instructions from there.
From I-88, exit at Annie Glidden Road and continue to Lincoln Hwy (Rt 38) and make a right (east) to Carroll Ave (first light) and make a left. The DeKalb Police Department and Pizza Hut are at the corner of Lincoln Hwy and Carroll Ave. The Visitor’s Lot will be down on the left.
From the east, take Lincoln Hwy (Rt 38) west into DeKalb to Carroll Ave and make a right. The DeKalb Police Department and Pizza Hut are at the corner of Lincoln Hwy and Carroll Ave. The Visitor’s Lot will be down on the left.
From the west, take Lincoln Hwy (Rt 38) east into DeKalb to Carroll Ave (first light past Annie Glidden Road) and make a left. The DeKalb Police Department and Pizza Hut are at the corner of Lincoln Hwy and Carroll Ave. The Visitor’s Lot will be down on the left.
