Hispanic Heritage Month Panel Celebrates Contributions to the Law
On September 17, 2026, the Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois hosted “Celebrating Hispanic Contributions to the Law” at the Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse. In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, this complimentary CLE program recognized Hispanic and Latino judges and attorneys who have advanced the pursuit of justice in Illinois.
Hon. Gabriel A. Fuentes opened the afternoon with welcoming remarks. Tony Garcia, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and FBA Chicago Chapter board member, moderated the discussion. The panel brought together leaders from the federal bench, the state bench, and civil rights practice:
Hon. Rubén Castillo, Former U.S. District Chief Judge, Northern District of Illinois
Hon. Sonia Antolec, Judge, Illinois Court of Claims
Hon. Alfredo Maldonado, Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Susana A. Sandoval Vargas, Midwest Regional Counsel, MALDEF
The program offered one hour of Professional Responsibility/Diversity & Inclusion CLE credit. Each panelist shared a career path, a significant case, and practical advice for attorneys.
Hernandez v. Texas Frames the Hispanic Heritage Month Panel
The CLE program opened with Hernandez v. Texas, 347 U.S. 475 (1954). The landmark decision extended the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection guarantee to all racial and ethnic groups. Before the ruling, Texas courts recognized only white and African American citizens as protected classes.
In 1950, a Jackson County, Texas, grand jury indicted Pete Hernandez for murder. Hernandez, a man of Mexican descent, received a life sentence. On appeal, he argued that Texas had denied him equal protection. Qualified residents of Mexican descent lived in the county. Yet none had served as jury commissioners, grand jurors, or petit jurors. Despite these facts, the Texas appellate court affirmed his conviction anyway.
However, the Supreme Court later reversed the decision. The Court held that the state court erred in limiting equal protection to two classes. It found that persons of Mexican descent formed a distinct class in Jackson County. Notably, the Supreme Court also held that their exclusion from jury service, despite a substantial qualified population, violated the Equal Protection Clause. Overall, Hernandez v. Texas marked the first time Hispanic attorneys argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, setting the tone for a discussion of fair process, equal access to justice, and the lawyers who defend both.
Panelists Examine Landmark Cases from the Bench
Judge Castillo discussed Martinez v. Village of Mount Prospect, 92 F. Supp. 2d 780 (N.D. Ill. 2000). Javier Martinez, a Hispanic police trainee, alleged national origin discrimination after his 1995 termination. At trial, he presented evidence that commanders directed officers to target Hispanic drivers for traffic stops. A jury returned a verdict of about $1.18 million in his favor. Judge Castillo also issued a temporary restraining order barring the department from targeting people solely based on national origin. Ultimately, he approved the final settlement after the Village adopted reforms. These included a ban on racial profiling, an end to ticket quotas, and traffic stop data collection.
Judge Maldonado discussed the case of Daniel Andersen. A Cook County jury convicted Andersen in 1982 for a 1980 murder; this conviction rested largely on a confession given after 16 hours of interrogation. As a result, Andersen received a 55-year sentence and served more than 27 years. Decades later, DNA testing granted in 2013 excluded him. Then, in 2015, Judge Maldonado vacated the conviction, and prosecutors dismissed the charges the following month.
Judge Antolec discussed Munson v. State of Illinois, 76 Ill. Ct. Cl. 235 (2024), an opinion she authored. In 2002, the Illinois State Police seized 155 silver coins and later lost them. The State first raised a statute-of-limitations defense in its written closing argument. Judge Antolec held the claim timely and declined to award speculative damages. The court awarded the claimant $361,098.
Hispanic Heritage Month Panel Highlights Civil Rights Advocacy
Susana A. Sandoval Vargas discussed Escutia v. Contreras (Case No. 2022 L 004799) in the Circuit Court of Cook County. MALDEF filed the suit in 2022 on behalf of a family of Chicago tenants. Founded in 1968, MALDEF is the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization. Ms. Sandoval Vargas helps lead its litigation and policy work across 11 Midwest states.
The plaintiffs rented a basement unit in Chicago. During a July 2020 rent dispute, their landlord threatened to “call immigration” and have them “taken away.” He made the threats while standing on the stairs that served as the unit’s only exit. The family also lost access to stored belongings, including a bassinet and a baby bathtub.
The case proceeded under the Illinois Immigrant Tenant Protection Act. The 2019 law bars landlords from threatening to disclose a tenant’s immigration status to harass or intimidate. MALDEF helped secure its passage. In January 2025, Judge Catherine A. Schneider granted summary judgment against the landlord on the Act claim. The court applied the plain meaning of “harass” and “intimidate.” In February 2025, the court awarded each plaintiff $40,000 in actual damages. It added $4,000 in civil penalties, plus costs and attorney’s fees. The case became the first to reach judgment under the Act.
Career Paths and Advice for the Next Generation
The final segment turned to career and practice advice. The panelists’ own paths showed the range of opportunities in public service. Judge Castillo served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and in private practice before 25 years on the federal bench. He spent six of those years as Chief Judge. Judge Maldonado spent 15 years with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office before joining the bench in 2014. Judge Antolec held leadership roles in county and state government before her 2021 appointment. Ms. Sandoval Vargas previously served as a judicial extern for the same court that hosted the program.
A question-and-answer session with attendees followed. Mr. Garcia closed by thanking the panelists, the Court, and Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall for their support. From Hernandez v. Texas to the Immigrant Tenant Protection Act, the program traced a long line of Hispanic advocates who shaped the law. Attendees continued the conversation at a complimentary reception after the program.
The Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter hosts programs throughout the year that connect attorneys with the federal judiciary. For continuing education and networking opportunities through our Chapter, please explore our upcoming events!
