Court rules U of I lawsuit not a federal matter

An appeals court has vacated a decision by a federal court that the University of Illinois can’t withhold the identities of students involved in a 2009 admissions scandal.

Thursday’s decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago means the university — at least for now — doesn’t have to release the names of students involved in the Category I admissions scandal. The appeals court says the lawsuit belongs in state court.

The Chicago Tribune sought the names as part of its investigation into university admission of underqualified, politically connected students. The university tracked their applications on a list known as Category I.

The university called the decision recognition of the need to protect student privacy rights.

A Tribune spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.