Jon Seidel

Federal courts reporter

Jon Seidel writes about federal courts and legal affairs for the Chicago Sun-Times. He has covered several high-profile trials, including of former Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke, R&B superstar R. Kelly, ex-Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke, onetime Bolingbrook Police Sgt. Drew Peterson and Christopher Vaughn. He also covered the prosecutions of former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Heather Mack. He is the author of Second City Sinners.

Crime

New Chicago intelligence hub aims to ‘squeeze every last piece of evidence’ out of guns used in crimes

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives facility is the latest effort to disrupt violent crime in Chicago, where police have been taking 12,000 guns off the street every year.

By Jon Seidel

U.S. Supreme Court associate justices, from left, Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022; Neil Gorsuch in 2021 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2022.

Chicago corruption trials

Supreme Court puzzles over corruption definition in bribery law at center of Madigan trial: 'Is it a sin?'

The case before the nation’s high court Monday was actually the corruption case against James Snyder, a former mayor of Portage, Indiana. The justices acknowledged their decision in the case will have implications for prosecutions across the country.

By Jon Seidel and Dave McKinney | WBEZ

Suburban Chicago

Dolton official accused of bankruptcy fraud

The indictment against Keith Freeman comes as Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is also facing scrutiny.

By Jon Seidel

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen Federal Courthouse early this year.

Chicago corruption trials

What is corruption? U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments that could impact bribery cases in Illinois

The high court is reviewing a law that’s popular among federal prosecutors — including those pursuing former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan.

By Jon Seidel and Dave McKinney | WBEZ

Michael Madigan

'A gift to Madigan’s defense': Judge has harsh words for key witness who gave false answer on gun form

Credibility of Fidel Marquez, the former ComEd exec whom FBI agents persuaded to cooperate in the investigation of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, is now questionable, judge implies.

By Jon Seidel

Politics

Chicago area man who joined mom, aunt at Jan. 6 Capitol riot gets probation

Prosecutors say Nicholas Von Keudell “pulled up a lawn chair to watch the violence further unfold for nearly an hour.”

By Jon Seidel

The Watchdogs

A gun charge filed during George Floyd rioting in Chicago is dismissed amid controversy

Another federal judge in Chicago who also has dismissed gun cases based on the same Supreme Court ruling says the high court’s decision in what’s known as the Bruen case will “inevitably lead to more gun violence, more dead citizens and more devastated communities.”

By Jon Seidel, Frank Main, and 1 more

Ex-Alderman Ed Burke, right, walks towards his West Elsdon home after being found guilty in a federal corruption trial, Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

USA vs. Edward M. Burke

Ex-Ald. Ed Burke retires as a lawyer after the state’s highest court failed to pull his law license

Burke’s legal retirement marks a shift from earlier this month, when the state listed him as eligible to practice law despite his federal conviction.

By Dave McKinney | WBEZ and Jon Seidel

Fidel Marquez, former ComEd senior vice president of governmental and external affairs.

ComEd bribery trial

Feds say crucial witness against Michael Madigan gave false answer while trying to buy gun

Fidel Marquez did not succeed in purchasing the firearm, and no criminal charges appear to have been filed against him. Prosecutors confirmed earlier this week that he is expected to testify at the trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

By Jon Seidel