Fran Spielman Show News Videos

The Fran Spielman Show: Mark Brown & Tim Novak

Breaking down the extortion case of former union boss John T. Coli Sr.

By Sun-Times staff

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that former union boss John T. Coli Sr., who has ties to many prominent politicians, is cooperating with federal investigators as part of his plea deal.

Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown and investigative reporter Tim Novak guide us through the case with City Hall reporter Fran Spielman.

Our reporters discuss the complicated dealings with Cinespace Chicago Film Studios and possible ties to other ongoing investigations.

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The Latest

Connor Bedard has been thrust into an unfair situation off the ice.

Blackhawks

Connor Bedard shows maturity, poise when interrogated about false Corey Perry rumors

“It’s of course [had] an effect on myself and my family, but...it’s out of our control,” Bedard said Friday in Winnipeg.

By Ben Pope

A man was fatally shot and another wounded July 8, 2021, in Wentworth Gardens.

Crime

Man found dead in Irving Park neighborhood

The man was found unresponsive about 1:30 p.m. Friday in the 4600 block of West Montrose Avenue.

By Sun-Times Wire

Alex Alvarado, 19, was shot Aug. 20 in the Logan Square neighborhood. He died Nov. 29 of a gunshot wound, officials said.

Crime

Man dies months after Logan Square shooting: ‘He is generous, kind hearted, gentle’

Alex Alvarado, 19, was shot Aug. 20 and remained hospitalized for more than three months. He died Wednesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

By Kade Heather

A Peoples Gas crew members works on an Albany Park neighborhood gas main in 2019.

Business

Peoples Gas warns of lost jobs, dangerous conditions unless regulators OK pipe replacement funding

In a sweeping ruling last month, the Illinois Commerce Commission put a halt to the utility’s perennially delayed and over-budget pipe project, but Peoples Gas says it needs money to wrap up projects safely.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Ald. Ed Burke (14th) speaks during a Chicago City Council meeting last year.

USA vs. Edward M. Burke

The one that got away? Burke comes up empty after years-long pursuit of the ‘tuna,’ jurors hear

That testimony came as federal prosecutors finished presenting evidence that Burke tried to leverage his political clout to strongarm business for his tax appeals firm out of 601W Companies LLC of New York.

By Jon Seidel