The Western District of Wisconsin is now operating in Phase 2 of its government shutdown plan. During Phase 1, the federal judiciary had been able to maintain full operations using funds other than annual congressional appropriations. But those funds were exhausted on Friday, October 17, 2025.

During Phase 2, which will continue for the duration of the shutdown, the court will continue its core constitutional functions, including the processing of civil, criminal, and bankruptcy cases, and maintaining both pre-trial and post-trial supervision by the probation office. Most external users of the court will see no difference in our operations. We will hold hearings and trials, and jurors will be paid. All case deadlines remain in place unless otherwise ordered in individual cases. Pursuant to the Antideficiency Act, which bars most federal government expenditures during a lapse in appropriations, we will defer some important tasks, and we will institute limited staff furloughs commensurate with these deferred tasks.

More information is available here.