No. 25-1098October Term 2025Before Arguments
Ryan O'Donnell, et al., Petitioners v. City of Chicago, Illinois, et al.
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Case status
- Current stage
- Before Arguments
- Latest event
- Accepted by the Court
- Decision timing
- No window until argument is scheduled.
- What it's about
from the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Question presented
The question is whether the ordinance, on its face, violates the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit / Accepted by the Court
- Area
Supreme Court case awaiting argument
Timing
Expected by late June 2026, if argued this term
The Court granted review but has not yet scheduled oral argument. Once argued, the median case reaches a decision in 94 days. Nearly all cases are decided by the end of the term in which they are argued.
Briefing
What it's about
The case challenges a Chicago ordinance that lets the city impound and sell a driver's vehicle after two unpaid parking tickets. The petition says the city keeps the sale proceeds without crediting the ticket debt or refunding any surplus, and that the policy can reach unticketed or later-purchased vehicles registered to the driver.
Argument
Petitioners argue Chicago's ordinance lets the city take and sell vehicles after two unpaid tickets and keep any surplus, which they say violates the Takings Clause. The case is at the petition for certiorari (the Court's decision to hear a case) stage, and no oral argument is scheduled.
Impact
If a driver owes two parking tickets, Chicago's policy can lead to the loss of a car and no refund even if the sale brings in more than the debt. Supreme Court review could affect both drivers facing ticket enforcement and cities that use vehicle seizures to collect local fines.
What is O'Donnell v. Chicago about?
It asks whether Chicago can impound and sell a driver's car after two unpaid parking tickets and keep all sale proceeds. The petition says the policy also reaches other vehicles registered to that driver, even if those cars were never ticketed.
Who could be affected if the Court takes this case?
Drivers with unpaid parking tickets could be most affected, especially if a car is worth more than the ticket debt. Cities that use vehicle seizures to collect fines also have a stake.
What happens next in Ryan O'Donnell v. City of Chicago?
The justices must first decide whether to grant certiorari (hear the case). No oral argument is scheduled yet, and no decision window is available.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary materials plus reporting.
- Note
- Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jul 17, 2026
- Method
- Methodology