Strike 3 Holdings Illinois Lawsuits: Filings, Courts & Help

This is the Torrent Defenders® hub for Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits. Strike 3 Holdings filed 14 new cases in the Northern District of Illinois on September 23, 2026, and by October 14 every judge had granted the request to subpoena the internet provider. Below you will find each case, the judges, what their orders say, and what that means if you get an ISP letter. If you received one about an Illinois case, call or tap (312) 201-8310 for a free, confidential review.

Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits filed September 23, 2026

All 14 cases were filed in the Northern District of Illinois. Each one names a single John Doe identified only by an IP address. The table lists the details from each case’s Exhibit A, the document attached to the complaint that lists the IP address, location, internet provider, and the works Strike 3 Holdings says were shared. The “1:” at the start of each docket number is the courthouse location: the Eastern Division in Chicago.

From court records reviewed on October 26, 2026. The Central District of Illinois and Southern District of Illinois had no new Strike 3 Holdings cases in September or in October through October 26, 2026. See the Strike 3 Filing Report – October 2026 for national figures. Earlier Illinois coverage: Illinois Strike 3 Holdings lawsuits (Dec. 2020), Strike 3 Holdings lawsuits in Illinois (Nov. 2020), and Strike 3 Holdings defendant in Illinois (Mar. 2020).

Judges and subpoena orders in the Illinois cases

Strike 3 Holdings filed its motion for early discovery in all 14 cases on October 1, 2026. Early discovery means permission to subpoena the internet provider for the account holder’s name and address before the case moves forward. Here is who decided each motion and when.

What the pattern shows

Ten of the 14 motions were granted the next day, October 2, 2026. Judge Durkin ruled in 4 days, Judge Blakey in 7, and Judge Ellis in 13. No judge denied a motion, and no case has been dismissed or amended so far. In practice, the subpoena step in Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits moves fast. The real timeline for you starts when your internet provider sends its letter.

What the order conditions mean for the John Doe

• Name and address only. Most orders limit the subpoena to the account holder’s name and address. Judge Perry’s order also says the information may be used only for this case.
• Your identity stays out of public filings for now. Judges Valderrama, Hunt, and Coleman ordered that the Doe stay identified by IP address or pseudonym. Judge Hunt’s order says that if a Doe is identified, only first and last initials go in the caption and filings, with any public naming decided later.
• A copy of the order and a 30-day window. In Judge Coleman’s two cases, Strike 3 Holdings must send the identified person a copy of the order within 3 business days after the provider produces the information. That person then has 30 days from receipt to object or file a motion.
• The right to challenge the subpoena remains. Several orders, including those from Judges Valderrama and Blakey, say they are without prejudice to a motion to quash. In plain terms, granting the subpoena does not stop the Doe or the provider from asking the court to limit or cancel it.
• Privacy reasoning varies. Judge Alexakis’s orders say that because the subscriber already shared their identity with the internet provider, they lack a reasonable expectation of privacy in their name and address. That is one reason a challenge needs a specific basis, not just a general privacy objection.
• Orders can be corrected. In 1:26-cv-11650, Judge Blakey’s first order listed the wrong IP address. A corrected order on October 15, 2026 fixed it. Check that the IP address in your letter matches the order.
• Status dates are set. Most judges set a status report or hearing between November 9 and December 3, 2026. Strike 3 Holdings will usually report on the subpoena by then.

If you received a letter in one of these Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits, the deadline in that letter is the date to plan around, and a lawyer can review the order in your case with you before then.

What you Can Learn

Our short videos explain some of the important things to know about the Strike 3 Holdings lawsuit process, and your main options right now.

Many clients have told us our videos are very helpful. Click the image below to watch.

What usually happens in Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits

1. Strike 3 Holdings files a John Doe complaint identified only by an IP address.
2. It asks the court for permission to subpoena the internet provider before the usual discovery conference.
3. If the court agrees, the provider notifies the account holder. That is the letter most people receive.
4. After the notice period in the court order, the provider may release the account holder’s name and address unless something is filed.

Use the dates in your own letter. Timelines in Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits differ by court and judge. See our provider pages for Comcast Xfinity, Verizon, AT&T Internet, Spectrum, Cox, Optimum, and Frontier.

Clients we have represented in Illinois

Antonelli Law® has represented about 213 clients who live in Illinois in federal copyright matters since 2015.

If you received an ISP letter about one of the Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits, you can email or upload it through our contact page for a free, confidential review.

Attorney Highlight: Alec Dardis

Alec Dardis is an Associate at Antonelli Law®. Born and raised in Southern California (Orange County area), he was a competitive junior tennis player and captain of the Men’s Division 1 tennis team at Colgate University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He later received the Dean’s Scholarship to DePaul University College of Law, earned a CALI Award in Negotiations, made Dean’s List, and graduated with a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Intellectual Property. He is licensed in Illinois and handles federal copyright matters nationwide.

In the firm’s BitTorrent practice, Alec has personally assisted hundreds of clients with cases involving copyright holders, including Strike 3 Holdings. He handles the consultation, the reading of the letter, settlement talks when that is what the client wants, and court defense when that is the better path.

Phone: (312) 201-8310. Email: adardis@antonelli-law.com.

Book with Alec · Alec’s bio

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Here is just one client review of Alec Dardis. Click the link below for many others.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need an Illinois lawyer for a Strike 3 Holdings case?

Strike 3 Holdings Illinois lawsuits are federal cases. Antonelli Law® handles Strike 3 Holdings matters in federal courts nationwide, and you can work with us by phone, email, and upload.

How do I know which court my case is in?

Your ISP letter or the enclosed court order lists the court and a docket number. Send it to us and we will confirm it for you.

Will my name be public?

At the subpoena stage the case usually lists only an IP address. Many people resolve these matters confidentially through counsel, often without their name appearing in the public record.

Related reading

• Strike 3 Filing Report – October 2026
• Strike 3 Holdings ISP letter guide
• Should I ignore a Strike 3 Holdings subpoena?
• Strike 3 Holdings FAQ

This page is general information about Strike 3 Holdings and similar BitTorrent copyright cases. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Client reviews describe individual experiences. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Antonelli Law® defends people and businesses against copyright claims and does not represent copyright holders. Attorney advertising. Information is current as of October 26, 2026.

TORRENT DEFENDERS® is a federally registered trademark owned exclusively by the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Antonelli, Ltd. dba Antonelli Law®.