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Saturday, April 27, 2024
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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.

Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.
Crime
A list of every known Illinois resident charged in the U.S. Capitol breach
More than 1,300 people have been arrested in connection with the breach in almost all 50 states. That includes Illinois, where at least 49 known residents have faced federal charges for their role.
By Jon Seidel
 
Singer R. Kelly appears for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago.
R. Kelly
R. Kelly's Chicago conviction upheld by appeals court
The former R&B star is being held in a medium-security prison in North Carolina, records show. He is not due to be released until December 2045.
By Jon Seidel
 
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Crime
Three years for man who helped set CTA van on fire during 2020 riots
Prosecutors say Darion Lindsey helped put “scores of people at risk” as George Floyd protests gave way to violence.
By Jon Seidel
 
Labar “Bro Man” Spann
Chicago gangs
Four Corner Hustler chief's conviction threatened by revelation from feds
The judge presiding over the case of Labar “Bro Man” Spann said prosecutors made an “extraordinary” disclosure about a sentencing promise made by one of their former colleagues.
By Jon Seidel
 
April Perry, nominated by President Joe Biden to be Chicago's U.S. attorney. | Provided
Politics
April Perry's bid to be city's first female top federal prosecutor to end, Biden will tap her to be federal judge
The White House on Wednesday will officially announce Biden’s intention to nominate April Perry to be a U.S. District Court judge. For months, the effort to confirm Perry as Chicago’s new U.S. Attorney was stalled by Sen. J.D. Vance, a Republican from Ohio.
By Lynn Sweet and Jon Seidel
 
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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
 
Dirksen Federal Courthouse
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