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“When responding to records requests, there is a strong presumption of openness and liberal access to public records,” wrote the judge.  “[T]he DOJ has not met its burden to show that this is an ‘exceptional case’ warranting nondisclosure.”  The judge concluded that DOJ’s denial “was not the product of a genuine, case-by-case balancing analysis, but rather a habitual denial based on [its] past inability to garner compliance from local agencies.”

The suit was brought by The Badger Project and Invisible Institute.  The media organizations are represented by the Wisconsin Transparency Project and the University of Illinois College of Law First Amendment Clinic.

The Badger Project is a nonpartisan journalism nonprofit that focuses on and investigates government, politics, and related matters in Wisconsin. Invisible Institute is a nonprofit public accountability journalism organization based in Chicago.  Both organizations have litigated cases seeking police records and written extensively about law enforcement issues, particularly the problem of “wandering officers” who jump agencies to avoid discipline.

The Badger Project and Invisible Institute asked for officers’ names, birth years or ages, zip code, and work history.  Most states release this information, but have not experienced any significant problems caused by making the information public.  The request did not ask for home addresses.

Both organizations have reported on the lawsuit:

Wisconsin Is in the Minority of States Shielding Police Data.  We’re Suing to Change that

‘Wisconsin does not, and should not, have secret police’ – The Badger Project sues state DOJ for full list of law enforcement officers

“Courts have ruled time and time again that speculative fears of harm do not justify withholding government records from the public,” said Tom Kamenick, president of the Wisconsin Transparency Project.  “Government officials must do more than merely claim that, hypothetically, something bad might happen if the records are released.  Rather, they must show that harm is likely to occur and is sufficiently serious to overcome the presumption of access to government records.  DOJ could not do that here.”

“We are incredibly proud to have represented the Invisible Institute in this critical fight for accountability,” said Lena Shapiro, Director of the First Amendment Clinic. “Securing this victory took three years of sustained effort, with nine students and two fellows from the First Amendment Clinic pouring their energy into this matter to ensure that the public’s right to know prevailed over blanket government secrecy.”

The Clinic students handled discovery, including resolving disputes and taking depositions, and briefed the successful motion for summary judgment, which was ultimately argued in January by advanced student Gabriela De La Llana.For a copy of the complaint, contact the First Amendment Clinic at the University of Illinois College of Law at law-firstamend@illinois.edu.

Excellence in Academic Achievement

Reilly Alridge
Kayla Beckley
Kendall Crispin
Emily Digman
Cole Edwards
Tanner Haynes
Daniel Morris
Ghazi Saoud
Elizabeth Walker

Excellence in Advocacy

Caroline Azem
Akanksha Balekai
Kelly Christensen
Sophia Downes
Ellie Jones
Ben Lee
Tyler Lewis
Jessie Randazzo

Excellence in Legal Writing

Jessica Bury
Sophia Downes
Willow Forster
Sieun Lee
Abby Milhiser
Brock Reeder
Avontay Ruff
Julia Sun

Excellence in Service

Lindsey Aden
Mounica Akula
Shaza Hussein
W Lander
Nurie Langlois
Abby Milhiser
Jess Nalupta
Alexandria Wilson

On August 21, Dean Jamelle Sharpe offered his welcome and perspectives on law school in the Peer and Sarah Pedersen Pavilion, followed by Colleen Murphy, associate dean for academic affairs, who presented an introduction to expectations for law students.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, a 1993 graduate of the College of Law, led our new students in the Pledge of Professionalism before sending them off for photographs, a mock class, and other orientation activities.

The orientation program provided a platform to help equip our students for success and also inspire a positive attitude about the exciting journey that lies ahead.

“Your attendance here today signifies your accomplishment, intelligence, and potential for influencing the legal profession, both here and abroad,” Dean Sharpe told the assembled students. “You will soon discover that law school is a transformative experience, one that is as challenging as it is rewarding.”

The incoming JD Class of 2028 includes 189 students from 26 different states and 8 foreign countries. The states most represented among new students include Illinois, California, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin; the class comprises 57% non-Illinois residents and 43% Illinois residents. Students also hail from five countries outside the United States.

Students in the Class of 2028 went to 106 different undergraduate institutions; undergraduate schools with the most students represented include University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Loyola University Chicago, New York University, University of Florida, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. New JD students had 44 different majors and a median LSAT of 166 and GPA of 3.81. In terms of demographics, 47% of the class identifies as female, 46% identifies as male, 3% identifies as gender queer/gender fluid, trans or nonbinary, and 4% did not disclose a gender identity. Thirty-six percent of the students come from racial/ethnic backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in the legal profession. The average age of our new students is 24, 66% have work experience, and 19% are first generation college graduates.

The College of Law also welcomed 114 new graduate students, including 83 LLM students, 6 MSL students, 2 JSD students, and 23 study abroad students. Six of our new LLM students are Fulbright recipients. Overall, our graduate and international students represent 24 countries.

We are grateful to all those who helped make orientation a success and look forward to continuing to support our students on their path to becoming Illinois Law graduates.

*JD Class of 2028 profile is accurate as of the 10th day of classes and graduate student numbers are accurate as of the first day of classes.

Few individuals are as dedicated to Illinois as Kelly. A double Illini, graduating with an undergraduate degree in integrative biology in 2002 and JD in 2005, she began her career at the College of Law right after taking the bar exam, serving initially as Assistant Director of Academic and Student Administration. Over the past twenty years, Kelly has continued her work with students, leading to her most recent position as Senior Director of Academic Administration and Student Records.

Known to students for her work in academic counseling and an always friendly presence in the Law Building, Kelly will be able to increase her interaction with students as the leader of the student services team. She has a strong commitment to helping make Illinois more than just a place to earn a degree and is eager to foster success in the student body in her new role.

“I am committed to supporting every student’s academic, professional, and personal growth,” she said. “Our student services team will be engaged with the vibrant student community to help foster belonging, leadership, and connection across diverse backgrounds and interests. Students won’t just study law here—they’ll find their people and their path.”

Evident by her tenure at the College of Law, Kelly has deep affection for the University of Illinois and the surrounding community, where she has proudly raised her family. We are very fortunate to have her as our new Dean of Students and look forward to seeing the great things Dean Salefski will help our students accomplish.

To learn more, visit https://www.nomoslearning.com/.

Disclaimer: this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or approval by the College of Law. Please contact Nomos Learning for answers to questions regarding its content.

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Zawedde, whose thesis is being advised by Professor Colleen Murphy, will use the fellowship to continue her research on Dynamic Health Justice Partnerships in Uganda. She is also a graduate assistant in the Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global Strategies Office at the University of Illinois.

Read more about the Global South Fellowship.

Congratulations to all of our 2025 honorees!

Rickert Award for Academic Achievement

• Harley Cavallo
• Jack Eggman
• Hannah Emberts
• Niki Hakimzadeh
• Mackenzie Morgan
• Jack Mulligan
• Katy Rose O’Brien
• Connor Simpson

Rickert Award for Advocacy

• Andrew Gray
• Dane Grounds
• Niki Hakimzadeh
• Sahar Mithani
• Anxhela Ndrio
• Michaela Newton
• Vinisha Prajapati
• Jabari Turner

Rickert Award for Legal Writing

• Ben Ginsburg
• Jihyeon Angela Koo
• Kevin Meyers
• Audrey Nankervis
• Mia Neally
• Diego Nevares
• Connor Simpson
• Jabari Turner

Rickert Award for Service

• Afaaf Amatullah
• Rama Hamad
• Sue Lee
• Shil Mehta
• Anxhela Ndrio
• Sara Peal
• Sarah Shamsi
• Skye Wiberg

Read more about their research and website from Illinois Public Media.

Akanksha Balekai serves as the President of the University of Illinois chapter of the American Constitution Society and has been an active member of the national organization as well. 

“Her active participation and leadership both at the law school and in association with the national chapters has been exceptional,” Professor Rummana Alam said about Balekai. “She is so passionate and dedicated to positive change by shaping debate on vitally important legal and constitutional issues through the development and promotion of high-impact ideas.”

The American Constitution Society is a non-profit, non-partisan legal organization comprising a network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others. The ACS aims to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other historically excluded communities

Read the ACS press release about the 2025 Next Generation Leaders.