Former Dolton administrator Keith Freeman’s scheduled change of plea hearing on federal bankruptcy fraud charges has been postponed again, with a new date set for March 4, 2026. This marks at least the fourth postponement in the case.
According to court records, an in-person status hearing took place on January 14, 2026, before Judge John F. Kness. Freeman, who is not currently in custody, appeared with his retained counsel. The parties told the court that more time was needed to prepare for the change of plea hearing.
Judge Kness scheduled a new in-person change of plea hearing for March 4, 2026 at 10:30 AM. The judge stated that if the change of plea does not occur at that time, a trial date will be set during the same hearing.
The government is required to submit a draft of the plea agreement to Judge Kness by March 1, 2026. The court order also notes that time is excluded from January 14 through March 4 under federal law to allow both sides sufficient time to finalize negotiations and serve “the ends of justice.” The order states: “Excluding time will allow the parties the reasonable time necessary to finalize plea negotiations. Such delay outweighs the interests of the public and the Defendants in a speedy trial.”
