Former judge Dugan avoids prison, fined $5K for obstruction
July 8, 2026/
Former judge Hannah Dugan avoided jail time but was fined $5,000 as she was sentenced on Wednesday for a felony obstruction conviction.
Dugan was found guilty of obstruction by a jury in December after she was accused of obstructing the arrest of a defendant in her court by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers outside of her courtroom.
Her requests for a new trial and an acquittal were previously denied.
Dugan resigned from her Milwaukee County judge role after her conviction. Her resignation came after Wisconsin Assembly leaders threatened to impeach her.
The jury found Dugan not guilty of a misdemeanor charge of concealing related to defendant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was later arrested on the street outside the courthouse and has since been deported.
The obstruction conviction could have led to up to five years in prison.
Today Jul 9
82° 65°
Patchy Fog then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois, Chicago residents rank high taxes as state’s top issue
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With the state now losing a resident to another state every nine minutes and more than...
Illinois quick hits: Illinois House members vote along party lines; More than 40% of CPS teachers missed 10 or more school days; State Treasurer says Bright Start earns gold
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois House members vote along party lines Illinois U.S. House members voted along party lines as the chamber approved legislation to...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee for November 4, 2025
Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | November 4, 2025 The Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, reviewed a successful bond refinancing...
Glock: Judge’s OK of Chicago’s anti-gun lawsuit questionable, at best
By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Firearms maker Glock is asking for permission to appeal a Cook County judge's ruling allowing the city of Chicago to continue its...
Illinois quick hits: DHS responds to migrant release order
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square DHS responds to migrant release order The U.S. Department of Homeland security issued a statement after a federal judge in Chicago...
Pritzker disagrees with Durbin on vote to end shutdown
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is disappointed that Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin voted in favor of...
Pritzker open to conversation with Trump on alderman’s immigration proposal
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A letter from a Chicago alderman to President Donald Trump could lead to conversation with Illinois Gov....
Expert: Illinois’ outdated tax law leaves homeowners, taxpayers on the hook
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois remains the only state that hasn’t reformed its property tax sale system after the U.S....
Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers; Madigan prosecutor to depart
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers The Department of Homeland Security has released the names of nine foreign nationals arrested during...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort School District 157-C for September 2025
Frankfort School District 157-C Meeting | September 2025 The Frankfort School District 157-C Board of Education unanimously approved its fiscal year 2026 budget on Tuesday, projecting a healthy surplus in...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Frankfort Fire Protection District for September 2025
Frankfort Fire Protection District Meeting | September 2025 The Frankfort Fire Protection District Board of Trustees unanimously passed a significant update to its fire prevention codes on Tuesday, specifically addressing...
Lawmakers divided after federal complaint targets student mental health screening law
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois lawmakers are responding after America First Legal (AFL) filed a federal complaint urging the U.S....
Normal, IL fire and EMS challenges highlight need for statewide task force
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A planned relocation of Normal’s Fire Station 2 sparks statewide concern over slow emergency response times,...
Analysis: Chicago among worst cities to drive in
By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (THE Center Square) – Republican Illinois state Sen. Steve McClure is speeding up the pace in his quest to make...
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee for November 2025
Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | November 2025 The Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee on Tuesday approved a landmark agreement to consolidate the Central Will...