Ruling in Vernon Hills toy companies' lawsuit over President Donald Trump's tariffs also delayed by appeals court
Share and Follow

VERNON HILLS, Ill. (WLS) — Amid the confusion over tariffs after an appeals court ruled in one case, earlier Thursday, a second federal court also ruled to block the Trump’s administration’s tariffs, with the decision impacting a Vernon Hills toy company.

However, the government has already appealed.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

It was a momentary win for a pair of sister companies in Vernon Hills Thursday.

“Today, we had a ruling in our favor on the lawsuit,” said Elana Ruffman, VP of marketing and product development at hand2mind. “The ruling supported our opinion that the tariffs are illegal.”

The temporary triumph came after a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from collecting tariffs from Learning Resources and hand2mind.

“It’s encouraging to see that… but it’s not done yet, so we’ll have to see how it plays out over the coming days and weeks, as it gets through the appeal process,” Ruffman said.

The Trump administration already issued an appeal after U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras said in an order the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give the president the power to impose most of his recent tariffs.

It’s a case that is escalating towards the U.S. Supreme Court.

Our products are mission driven. They’re used to educate kids… The sad part about this is, if the products become less available or they become more expensive, then it’s the kids who suffer.

Elana Ruffman, hand2mind VP of marketing and product development

Ruffman said they are ready to see this legal battle through.

“We wanted to do something,” Ruffman said. “We believe in ourselves, we believe in our company, and most importantly, we want to stand up for employees.”

The family-owned educational toy companies currently employs about 500 people.

“We have a responsibility to those employees, to stand up for them and to make sure that their jobs are safe,” Ruffman said.

Ruffman said they also have a responsibility to the children they serve.

“Our products are mission driven. They’re used to educate kids. They’re very intentional,” Ruffman said. “The sad part about this is, if the products become less available or they become more expensive, then it’s the kids who suffer.”

Adding to the confusion around tariffs, this is just one of many lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s economic policy, in a fight that could quickly play out in front of the Supreme Court.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
FILE - Pope Leo XIV arrives in St. Peter

Pope Leo Urges U.S. to Rethink Migrant Treatment: Calls for Deep Reflection on Detention Practices

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has urged the United States…
Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream voluntarily recalls some Häagen-Dazs mini bars for undeclared wheat, company says

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Issues Voluntary Recall on Häagen-Dazs Mini Bars Due to Undeclared Wheat

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — On Monday, Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. issued…
Sydney Sweeney keeps her cool ahead of new film Q&A after fan outrage

Sydney Sweeney Stays Composed Amid Fan Backlash Ahead of Anticipated Film Q&A

Sydney Sweeney exuded an air of cool confidence as she made her…
White House ridicules Mamdani's election day claim over bomb threats

White House Dismisses Mamdani’s Election Day Bomb Threat Allegations as Baseless

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticized New York mayoral candidate…
Dems' wins sets stage for Newsom vs. AOC in 2028: Stirewalt

Democratic Victories Hint at Potential 2028 Showdown: Newsom vs. AOC, Predicts Stirewalt

Chris Stirewalt has identified California Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez…
Convicted 'Ten Most Wanted’ fugitive faked bloody death, resurfaced as student before capture: authorities

Fugitive from ‘Ten Most Wanted’ List Staged Death, Lived as Student Before Arrest: Authorities Reveal Shocking Details

A notorious sex offender, once listed among Oklahoma’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives,…
'Delusional' movie fans keep whining about the media reporting insanely low box office numbers

Movie Fans Frustrated by Media’s Low Box Office Reports

Throughout the year, a curious and collective frustration has emerged among some…
Government shutdown becomes the longest on record as fallout spreads nationwide

Historic Government Shutdown Breaks Record: Nationwide Impact Intensifies as Crisis Unfolds

The ongoing government shutdown has now reached its 36th day, setting a…