WILL Budget Briefing: A Deep Dive on Governor Evers’ 2021-23 State Budget Proposal

Increases in spending, programs, and new attacks on education and worker freedom

WILL Warns City of Madison New Bird-Safe Glass Ordinance Undermines Wisconsin’s Uniform Building Code

Notice of Claim warns Madison that city ordinance violates state law

Dane County Drops Most Fines Against Dance Studio

Health department enlisted the wrong attorneys and filed far too many counts

Wisconsin Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in WILL Religious Liberty Lawsuit

Wisconsin’s Emergency Powers Laws in Urgent Need of Reform

New study examines Wisconsin’s emergency powers laws, provides recommendations for reform

Judge Orders Wisconsin DNR to Hold February 2021 Gray Wolf Hunt

WILL sued DNR for violating state law by refusing to schedule winter 2021 hunt

Dane County Health Department Relaxes Sports Restrictions After WILL Lawsuit

Legal challenge to authority of Dane County Health Department continues

WILL Represents Dane County Dance Studio in Fight Against Health Department Fines, Orders

Without warning, health department fined dance studio nearly $24,000 for video recording dances in small groups

WILL Sues Wisconsin DNR for Ignoring State Law Requirement to Schedule Wolf Hunt

DNR is required by 2011 state law to hold wolf hunt between November and February

MPS Policy Pays Public Employees to Work for Teachers Unions

Union leave policy results in public subsidy to labor unions, violates Constitution’s ban on compelled speech

Wisconsin’s Open Enrollment Program Provides Critical School Choice Option for 62,000 Students

New study profiles open enrollment program, examines school district impact

WILL Files Lawsuit Challenging Dane County Health Department’s Authority to Enact COVID Restrictions

Lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court argues county board must approve health department’s restrictions

WILL Warns City of Madison of Lawsuit Over Unconstitutional Racial Discrimination

Notice of Claim asserts racial quotas violate the law, Constitution

WILL Goes to Court in Rural School Choice Fight

Summary judgment hearing to determine fate of vacant elementary school

STUDY: Wisconsin School Districts That Started School Year Virtually Experience Greatest Enrollment Declines

Amidst statewide enrollment decline, schools that opted for virtual learning see largest declines

WILL Files Motion for Contempt After City of Racine Ignores Supreme Court Order

Racine Public Health Administrator instructs schools to remain closed despite injunction

Wisconsin Supreme Court Blocks Racine School Closure Order, Grants WILL Original Action

Case held in abeyance while Court considers Dane County school closure order

WILL Files Original Action in WI Supreme Court to Halt Latest Dane County Gathering Ban, Restrictions on Businesses

Dane County and the City of Madison have unlawfully delegated law-making power to the health department

WILL Asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to Halt Racine School Closure Order

The Court already issued an injunction putting similar order on hold in Dane County case

Study: Unions, Politics Appear to Drive Fall School Reopening Decisions in Wisconsin

Local presence of COVID-19 not predictive of district decisions

WILL Hires Kyle Koenen to be Policy Director Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

Koenen brings extensive legislative experience to WILL policy team

WILL Amicus: Gov. Evers’s Emergency Declarations Threaten Separation of Powers

WILL files amicus in original action before Wisconsin Supreme Court

Walker-era FoodShare Reforms Lowered Unemployment, Boosted Labor Force Participation

New study finds positive workforce effects from 2015 reforms

WILL Asks Judge to Decide on Merits in Lawsuit Challenging Gov. Evers’s Emergency Declarations

Critical questions remain before the court on emergency powers

Surplus Property Law Results in Just One Vacant Milwaukee School Sale to Charter School

WILL Policy Brief revisits how state law was thwarted by local actors for the last five years

WILL Pledges Appeal in Lawsuit Challenging Governor Evers’s Emergency Declarations

Judge denies WILL’s motion for injunction

Wisconsin Supreme Court Sides with Legislature in Critical Separation of Powers Case

WILL filed amicus urging Supreme Court to allow Legislature to defend state law

Judge Issues Injunction: Madison School District Staff Cannot Lie or Deceive Parents About Gender Transitions at School

WILL sued MMSD for violating parental rights with gender identity policy

WILL Files Motion for Immediate Injunction in Lawsuit Challenging Governor Evers’s Emergency Declaration

Motion for immediate relief comes after Governor Evers extends emergency

Governor Evers Violates State Law Again with Third COVID Emergency Declaration

WILL sued Governor Evers in Polk County in August over second COVID emergency

Judge Rules DPI Violated State Law in Release of 2019 School Choice Data

WILL sued after DPI selectively released data in violation of state law

Wisconsin Supreme Court Agrees to Hear WILL Challenge to Dane County School Closure Order

Court issues temporary injunction allowing schools to open immediately

WILL Asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to Invalidate Dane County School Closure Order

Original action on behalf of affected parents, private schools, and school associations

WILL Sues Governor Evers Over Second COVID-19 Emergency Declaration

Lawsuit filed in Polk County challenges Governor Evers’s power grab.

WILL to Racine Unified: District Must Meet Legal Requirement to Bus Students to Private Schools

RUSD evades legal obligation to private schools as District goes virtual

STUDY: No High-Performing School Options for 40,000 Wisconsin Students in 134 ZIP Codes

WILL study identifies high-performing school deserts in Wisconsin

WILL Files Amicus in National Legal Fight Over CARES Act Relief for Private Schools

WILL leads coalition of 38 state and national groups advocating for private schools

WILL Urges Madison West High School to Reconsider Racially Segregated Group Discussions

Madison West High School students were separated by race for group discussions

WILL Drops Lawsuit After DNR Resumes In-Person Hunter Education

DNR reverses course after WILL lawsuit

Wisconsin Supreme Court: Three of Governor Evers’ Budget Vetoes Unconstitutional

Court strikes down 3 of 4 budget vetoes in WILL original action

U.S. Supreme Court Orders Seventh Circuit to Reconsider Decision in WILL Religious Liberty Case

Case against DPI will be reassessed in light of Espinoza v. Montana

DPI Drops Illegal Policy After WILL Lawsuit

WILL sued DPI for blocking family from state voucher program

U.S. Supreme Court Decision a Win for Families, School Choice

WILL and Scott Walker submitted amicus in key school choice case

WILL, Wisconsin Realtors Association Secure Property Rights Victory in Lake Geneva

WILL lawsuit results in City Council action

EPA Adopts WILL Recommendation, Majority of Sheboygan County Attains National Air Quality Standards

EPA limits non-attainment zone in the county

WILL Sues DNR For Illegally Canceling In-Person Hunter Safety Courses

State agency cancels all in-person courses citing COVID-19

WILL Asks Wisconsin Elections Commission to Ban Ballot Harvesting

Rules petition would make clear ballot harvesting is illegal under Wisconsin law

WILL Appeals Ruling Upholding Brown County Sales Tax

WILL asks Court of Appeals to invalidate new tax used to fund big-ticket spending items

Study: More Than Half of Wisconsin Colleges Substantially Restrict Free Speech

Broad speech restrictions, bias response teams, and free speech zones impair free expression and open debate

WILL Goes Before Wisconsin Supreme Court in Veto Lawsuit

Oral arguments in challenge to Governor Evers’ use of executive power

WILL Sues Marquette County Sheriff for Free Speech Violation

Sheriff, Patrol Sergeant threatened teen with arrest over social media post

WILL Asks Supreme Court to Review WEC Lawsuit

Wisconsin deserves clean elections in 2020

Green New Deal would cost Wisconsin families over $40,000 per year, cripple agriculture industry

WILL partners with national policy organizations to estimate impact of Green New Deal to Wisconsin

WILL Sues Madison Schools for Violating Parental Rights

District refuses to alter gender identity policies

WILL, Badger Institute: Reform Occupational Licensing for a Better Wisconsin Economy

Free-market groups partner to make the case for reform

WILL, SCWA Win School Choice Lawsuit Against DPI

Judge rules DPI violated law in treatment of choice schools

WILL Asks Court to Hold Wisconsin Elections Commission in Contempt

State elections agency refuses to comply with court order.

What You Need to Know: Court Order in WILL Lawsuit Against Elections Commission

Study: When WI Union Members Vote, Number of Public Unions Shrink

Original Act 10 research examines effect of annual certification election results

WILL Sues Wisconsin Election Commission

Agency ignored state law, allowing voter registrations at old addresses to remain active.

#KeepYourPromise Governor Evers

One month after pledge, Evers shows no progress on government transparency

Former WILL attorney launches open government law firm

"WILL is pleased to welcome the Wisconsin Transparency Project to the scene."

WILL Explainer: Why the 7th Congressional District Special Election Date Has to Change

Governor Evers has now admitted that his Executive Order setting these dates violates federal law and he is in the process of setting new dates.

WILL, Scott Walker Submit Amicus to U.S. Supreme Court in School Choice Case

School choice, religious freedom at stake in Espinoza v. Montana

WILL Defeats Gun Ban, Defends Second Amendment

Housing Authority of the City of Menomonie to remove unconstitutional lease provision

WILL Wins Campus Free Speech Victory

NWTC's Public Assembly Policy deemed "unconstitutional."

Study: Evers, Barnes, & Agencies Failing to Follow Walker Open Government Executive Orders

Evers’ administration is dysfunctional and disorganized, threatens to move Wisconsin backwards on transparency.

Court Grants WILL Motion to Intervene in Rural School Choice Case

Community group Shepherd’s Watch is now a party to legal dispute over vacant school

WILL Suggests Improvements to UW Free Speech Policy

Submits public comment to better balance, safeguard First Amendment rights of all

WILL Sues Evers at Wisconsin Supreme Court Over Budget Vetoes

Original action asks Supreme Court to rein in, limit partial vetoes

Two Eau Claire TIF Cases Dismissed

Courts unwilling to enforce statutory limitations on controversial financing schemes

New Address: WILL Moves to 330 East Kilbourn

WILL moves to new office on July 22

New Hire: WILL adds former Deputy Solicitor General

Litigation team grows to meet heightened challenges

WILL Fights for School Choice in Rural Wisconsin

Antigo School District refuses to sell vacant building to local Christian community group

WILL Stands Up For Free Speech, Religious Liberty of Appleton School Board Member

Puts Appleton School Board on notice for potential First Amendment violations

WILL Sues to End Mandatory State Bar Membership, Dues

First Amendment protects speech, association rights of attorneys

2019 Apples to Apples: Charter, Choice Outperform Traditional Public Schools in Growth, Test Scores

Wisconsin's education options are working

WILL & State/National Conservative Groups Warn Legislature on Wedding Barns

Groups stand up for economic freedom, limited government

Get Ready for Tuesday’s Healthcare Debate

WILL research on the cost of Evers' proposed plans, and common sense solutions.

School Teacher Asks to Intervene in Latest Act 10 Lawsuit

WILL continues the fight to protect Walker’s collective bargaining reform law.

Common Sense Healthcare Reforms for Wisconsin

Seven reforms to lower costs and increase access to care

Governor Evers’ Budget: What You Need to Know

Read WILL's analysis before the legislature votes

WILL is Moving Offices!

Enters a new phase of growth with bigger office space in Milwaukee

Republican leadership puts interests of the state ahead of politics

“Doing what’s right is not always easy. But by rejecting costly federal Medicaid expansion, the Republican legislative leadership is acting in the best interest of the state of Wisconsin and we applaud them for standing on principle.”

Former Lawmakers, WILL Enter Extraordinary Session Lawsuit

Former Speaker, Lt. Gov., lawmakers make the case for extraordinary sessions and laws jeopardized by Dane County ruling

WILL Sues City of Eau Claire for Using Illegal TIF to Raise Tax Revenue

City claims it needs TIF district for a building that’s already built, misuses tax dollars along the way

Scott Walker, WILL Ask SCOTUS to Take School Choice Case

Brief highlights the benefits and success of school choice in Wisconsin

WILL Polls Critical Education Policy Questions in Wisconsin

Statewide poll finds low support for Evers' attack on school choice

WILL, SCWA Sue DPI in School Choice Lawsuit

State’s ed agency illegally preventing private choice schools from counting “virtual instruction” towards classroom learning requirements

Trump Discusses WILL Lawsuit at White House

Free speech executive order prominently features WILL

Study: K-12 Spending Increases Unlikely to Result in Student Success

New analysis on K-12 spending on public schools raises questions about student impact

Governor Evers Agrees With WILL on Legal Status of Wedding Barns

Evers administration pledges to interpret law as previously practiced

Evers Admin. Prolongs Uncertainty for Wedding Barn Owners

Evers, Kaul provide no clarity on legality of wedding barns

WILL Budget Explainer: The Administrative State

“Governor Evers’ budget is a liberal-wish list on a number of levels, but an undertold story is how it would strengthen the executive branch, usurping power from the legislature."

Governor Evers’ Budget Targets School Choice: What You Need to Know

Governor Evers' Budget Targets School Choice: What You Need to Know

Medicaid Expansion to Cost Wisconsinites $600 Million Per Year

New WILL, CROWE study analyzes true cost of Medicaid expansion

1 Year Later: Religious-themed Valentines STILL Cannot Be Freely Distributed at Tech College

WILL produces new video showing Polly innocently handing out Valentines, files for summary judgment

WILL Sues DPI For Embargoed ESSA Documents

Documents would shine light on whether DPI is illegally implementing ESSA

WILL Releases K-12 Education Reform Agenda

Detailed policy roadmap shows how state can improve student outcomes

WILL Sues Evers Administration to Protect Wedding Barns

Asks judge to protect economic freedom, remove uncertainty

WILL Announces New Hires, Staff Promotions

Adds staff to face new challenges

WILL Asks Supreme Court to Rule War Memorial Cross Constitutional

Amicus argues cross does not violate the Establishment Clause.

Trump Administration Seeks to Cancel Misguided Obama-era School Discipline Policy

WILL work has championed rescinding the illegal, harmful policy

WILL Promotes Libby Sobic to Director of Education Policy

Sobic to have expanded role managing WILL's K-12 education reform project.

Reform Federal Disability Insurance to Help Address Wisconsin’s Labor Shortage

Subjective criteria, work disincentives plague disability insurance program

Extraordinary Session Update: Legislature Approves Critical Reforms

Legislature approves administrative rulemaking reforms, tax reform; maintains DPI oversight

Extraordinary Session Policy Items Flying Under the Radar

A lot of good but a few red flags

Study: Parents in Milwaukee Are Choosing Schools Based on Quality

What you need to know about WILL’s landmark school choice study

WILL disagrees with legal analysis, prepared to fight for economic freedom

WILL disagrees with legal analysis, prepared to fight for economic freedom

WILL Hires Lucas Vebber as Deputy Counsel

Before joining WILL, Lucas served as General Counsel and Director of Environmental and Energy Policy at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

Supreme Court Rules Congress Can’t Require States to Prohibit Sports Betting

“This is a victory for competitive federalism,” said Rick Esenberg, President and General Counsel of WILL

WILL Wins Open Records Fight with Representative Brostoff

Despite this settlement, the legal issue of whether custodians must provide records in their electronic format when requested remains unresolved.

WILL Releases Most Comprehensive Analysis of School Performance

"Our study is the most comprehensive, updated analysis on Wisconsin school performance," Dr. Will Flanders, author of the report says.

WILL Memo: Bill Could End Tailgating As We Know It

The bill and amendment unanimously passed the Assembly by voice vote.

WILL Sues Rep. Brostoff in E-mail Dispute

Brostoff is refusing to turn over electronic records, instead insisting on printing them and charging unnecessary fees.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Takes WILL Case Challenging Wisconsin’s Law Prohibiting Cemeteries from Operating Funeral Homes

The law does nothing more than protect funeral directors from competition.

ICYMI: Wall Street Journal Highlights Marquette Professor’s Fight for Academic Freedom

In April of 2016 Professor McAdams enlisted the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty to sue Marquette University for breach of contract.

CJ Szafir Promoted to Executive Vice President

The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty announced the promotion of CJ Szafir to Executive Vice President.

WILL on K-12 School Report Cards

The report cards include two major changes from previous years: the full inclusion of private schools in the choice programs and the use of student growth as a metric for school performance.

WILL Sues State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers

The lawsuit claims that Evers and DPI are refusing to follow the newly enacted REINS Act.

WILL Study Explores How School Districts Comply With Open Records Laws

Report documents the average response time for open records requests for twelve of Wisconsin’s largest school districts.

WILL Files Petition for Review With The Wisconsin Supreme Court In Professor McAdams’ Case Against Marquette

WILL believes the court should hear the case now because there is no binding precedent on the question of how far academic freedom extends.

Wisconsin’s Largest Legal and Policy Center Continues to Grow

Adds new staff to growing policy team

New Report Shows Impact of Current Accountability Measures in Milwaukee Parental Choice Program

Report challenges voucher program critics’ opposition that schools are “unaccountable”