Preliminary Injunction Granted in Scheffke v. Schulz et al., No. 2026CH04709

This morning, June 17, 2026, Cook County Chancery Judge Eve M. Reilly granted a preliminary injunction in favor of our client, Mary Catherine Scheffke, the founder of Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, Inc., NFP.

The Court's order preserves Mary's employment, her home on the rescue's property, and her position as director, at least for the time being, until the legal issues in this case are resolved. The Court has ordered that Mary's full access to all rescue funds, including funds necessary for Tulip's surgery be restored, and has restored her as a co-signatory on the rescue's checking account.

The Court has further ordered that Mary is to make all medical decisions for the French Bulldogs currently in her care.

One of those dogs is Tulip, a five-year-old French Bulldog with biopsy-confirmed thyroid cancer. The Court noted that no one disputes that Tulip will not survive without surgery. The Board had cancelled Tulip's surgery on June 10, the night before it was scheduled to take place on June 11. The surgery had been recommended by three veterinary professionals, including Tulip's treating veterinarian, a board-certified surgeon, and a radiologist-oncologist. The Court noted that the Defendants acknowledged at the hearing that the rescue has at least $100,000 in funds, far exceeding the cost of Tulip's surgery.

Mary is now authorized to proceed with scheduling Tulip's surgery immediately.

We are grateful to Hon. Judge Reilly for her careful and thorough consideration of this matter. The litigation continues, but at least today the dogs are safe, and now Tulip has a chance to live!

Scheffke-v-Schulz-Preliminary-Injunction-Order-June-17-2026.pdf

De Silva Law Offices, LLC, with co-counsel Jonathan Lubin, Law Office of Jonathan Lubin.