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 8
83° 66°
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
WATCH: Legislator says Illinois’ child welfare agency uses interns, has legal exposure
By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois state legislator insists the state’s child welfare agency is violating the law by using interns...
Economic index shows reduced uncertainty, more stability in Midwest
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Survey of Economic Conditions Activity Index suggests more stability and less...
New law sparks debate over Illinois school mergers, communities fear loss
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A new law that could push school districts to study possible consolidation, aiming for efficiency and...
Illinois in Focus: Rest area burglary arrests made; overdose awareness events planned
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Rest area burglary arrests made Two men have been detained in connection with a reported burglary at the northbound Interstate 57...
Trump-appointed judge blasts administration for campaign against judiciary
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit against all 15 federal district judges in Maryland Tuesday, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the case and...
Report: Teachers’ unions give millions to progressive causes
By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The two largest U.S. teachers unions have donated over $40 million to progressive organizations and initiatives, a new report found. Since 2022, the American Federation...
Illinois quick hits: Record hotel tax revenues reported; grocer sentenced for SNAP, WIC fraud
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Record hotel tax revenues reported Illinois tourism numbers for 2024 saw an all-time high for hotel tax revenue. The Illinois Department...
Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump broadly attacked other nations' plans for a digital services tax, which he said were designed to harm U.S. companies while giving others...
WATCH: Policy questions loom as Pritzker announces ag investment, tax credits
By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says a new fertilizer production facility in Douglas County is a major win for...
Report: Claims that preserving coal plants will cost $6B based on unlikely assumptions
By Tate MillerThe Center Square A new report released Tuesday by America’s Power challenges environmental organization-sponsored claims circulating that say the Trump administration’s decision to preserve coal power plants will...
Federal officials confirm case of New World screwworm
By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Federal officials confirmed a human case of New World screwworm on Tuesday and said the government will be monitoring livestock in response to the threat....
Colorado committed to increasing housing supply
By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Colorado remains committed to building more homes to address the ongoing housing crisis. Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, joined state legislators in making that commitment....
Stock market weathers Fed governor’s attempted firing well
By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square Tuesday’s stock market remained little changed from Monday, despite President Donald Trump’s attempted termination of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on Monday evening. The major...
