Illinois Lawmakers Demand End to “Mega Master” Hearings at Chicago Immigration Court
Illinois Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, are demanding an end to "mega master" hearings at Chicago's immigration court. They argue these hearings, which involve extremely large numbers of cases per judge and crowded courtrooms, lead…
Chicago, IL, August 18, 2026 —
CHICAGO – Illinois Democratic lawmakers are calling for an end to what they describe as “mega master” hearings at Chicago’s immigration court, citing concerns over due process and the administration of justice. Senators Dick Durbin and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi are among those demanding reforms to the current hearing structures.
These “mega master” hearings are characterized by an exceedingly large volume of cases assigned to individual judges, often resulting in crowded courtrooms. Lawmakers argue that this setup creates a chaotic environment that hinders fair legal proceedings. The sheer number of cases per judge, they contend, makes it difficult for immigrants to receive adequate legal representation and for judges to give each case the necessary attention.
A significant concern raised by the lawmakers is the potential for due process violations. In such overcrowded and fast-paced settings, individuals may struggle to understand proceedings, present their cases effectively, or even be aware of scheduled court dates. This can lead to missed hearings, which, in turn, can result in default deportation orders against immigrants.
Senator Durbin and Representative Krishnamoorthi have not provided specific details on alternative hearing structures they propose, nor have they specified a timeline for when they expect changes to be implemented. The specific number of cases considered excessive in these hearings was not detailed in the information available.
The lawmakers’ statements highlight a growing concern regarding the efficiency and fairness of the immigration court system, particularly in large urban centers like Chicago. The current practices, as described, are seen by critics as contributing to a backlog of cases and potentially leading to unjust outcomes for individuals seeking asylum or other forms of legal status in the United States. The exact impact of these hearings on the number of deportation orders was not explicitly quantified.
Story summarized from the original created by Lauren FitzPatrick,Adriana Cardona-Maguigad on chicago.suntimes.com, see more information here.
