October Term 2002 · Docket 01-1806

Can states limit charitable fundraising fees?

Illinois seeks to cap fundraising costs. Telemarketing Associates argues this violates free speech.

Official caption
Madigan v. Telemarketing Associates, Inc.
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Verified source milestones

  1. — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
  2. — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.

The arguments, in order

This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.

  1. Argument 1 ·

    What happened at the argument

    Mr. Clement argued the government can protect the public from fraud.

    Mr. Huszagh stated charitable solicitors cannot commit fraud freely.

    Mr. Copilevitz argued fundraising costs reflect protected persuasive speech.

    Mr. Huszagh corrected the record regarding the affidavit treatment.

    Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details

    Sources used for this argument breakdown

A citizen's guide to the whole case

What this case is about

Illis argues the state can regulate fundraising fees to prevent fraud. Telemarketing Associates claims this restricts protected speech.

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How the case got here

The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 3, 2003.

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What each side wants

Illinois wants to enforce the fundraising fee cap.

Telemarketing Associates wants the fee cap struck down.

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What each side says

Illinois argues the state can regulate fees to stop fraud.

Telemarketing Associates argues fee limits restrict protected speech.

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What the justices asked

Does the First Amendment protect fundraising fee structures?

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Why it matters

This case defines state power over charitable fundraising costs. It shapes how charities manage their budgets.

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What happens next

This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.

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Official Court provenance

Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page

Title and summary sources

Revision history

  1. Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·

    Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.

  2. Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·

    Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.

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