Frank Collin, et al. v. Albert Smith, et al.
On May 4, 1977, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) files a motion to overturn Skokie's ordinances because they violate the First Amendment (Collin v. Smith).
On June 14, 1977, the U.S. Supreme Court votes 5-4 to lift the injunction preventing Frank Collin and the National Socialist Party of America (NSPA) from marching in Skokie.
The case is sent back to the Appellate court on June 22, 1977.
During the August 8, 1977 Skokie Board of Trustees meeting, Skokie's lawyer, Harvey Schwartz, updates citizens and the Board on Collin v. Skokie.
On August 26, 1977, U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Stevens upholds ban on display of swastikas following a review of the Illinois trial courts injunction against NSPA from displaying swastikas “in the course of a demonstration, march, or parade,” pending the Illinois State Supreme Court’s review of the Appellate Court’s decision.
Digitized document available from the Library of Congress and analysis from Oyez.
On October 21, 1977, Judge Bernard Decker of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denies a preliminary injunction prohibiting Skokie from enforcing the three ordinances.
"In order to resolve this motion, this case must be viewed in the context of the continuing controversy between the parties....[There] was the likelihood that a public display of Nazi regalia in Skokie would lead to an uncontrollably violent reaction from Village residents, many of whom were or had relatives who were imprisoned in German concentration camps during the Second World War."
On December 2, 1977, Collin v. Smith is argued in U.S. District Court Judge Decker's courtroom.
On January 27, 1978, the NSPA is free to march in Skokie pending resolution of Collin v. Smith, which is still in Judge Decker's hands.
On February 23, 1978, Judge Decker rules that the three ordinances adopted by the Skokie Village Board are unconstitutional.
On March 17, 1978, Judge Decker grants the Skokie’s motion to stay his order voiding the Skokie anti-Nazi ordinances for 45 days, giving the Village time to prepare an appeal to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
On March 31, 1978, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Judge Decker’s 45-day stay.
On April 6, 1978, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturns March 31, 1978 decision to uphold Judge Decker’s stay and orders an expedited briefing schedule.
On April 14, 1978, David Goldberger and Harvey Schwartz argue Collin v. Smith before the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
On May 22, 1978, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Judge Decker’s February 23, 1978 ruling that the three ordinances adopted by the Skokie Village Board are unconstitutional, as they violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
On June 2, 1978, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals enters an order denying Skokie’s request for a stay of mandate.
"[T]he basic issue in litigation which is before this court remains that of the constitutionality of the three Skokie ordinances. That issue has been decided against the appellants."
On June 5, 1978, Skokie files a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court requesting review of the opinion of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. That evening, Harvey Schwartz updates the Skokie Board of Trustees.
On June 12, 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court denies Skokie’s appeal in Collin v. Skokie.