In-person jury selection officially began Wednesday morning in the Dirksen Federal Building, where Madigan and his longtime confidant Michael McClain face charges of racketeering, bribery and wire fraud.
Stories by Matt Masterson
Attorneys in Madigan Racketeering Trial Iron Out Final Issues Before Jury Questioning Begins
Attorneys for the former Illinois House speaker and his longtime confidant met with prosecutors Tuesday afternoon to iron out any final wrinkles before the trial gets into swing.
Illinois Among 14 States Suing TikTok Alleging Social Media App Targets Kids With Addictive Features
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and top prosecutors from more than a dozen other states filed a lawsuit against social media app TikTok alleging the platform has deceived the public about the dangers it presents to children and teens.
Mayor Brandon Johnson Makes New Board of Education Appointments After Full Board Announced Resignation Plans
The mayor announced his new picks for the board amid a tumultuous time between Johnson and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez, who said he rejected the mayor’s request that he resign his position.
At Least 5 Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police
Five people were killed by gunfire in shootings across Chicago over the weekend, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Michael Madigan to Get His Day in Court, More Than 2 Years After Bombshell Racketeering, Bribery Indictment
The longtime House speaker, along with his longtime confidant and current co-defendant Michael McClain, are finally set to go to trial this week, more than two and a half years after the men were first charged in a bombshell federal indictment that accused them of racketeering, bribery and wire fraud.
All 7 Chicago Board of Education Members to Step Down Amid District Disputes
Board president Jianan Shi, Vice President Elizabeth Todd-Breland and fellow members Mariela Estrada, Mary Fahey Hughes, Rudy Lozano, Michelle Morales and Tanya Woods plan to step down from their positions this month.
What You Need to Know Ahead of Chicago’s First Board of Education Elections
Voters in the Nov. 5 election will pick a member to represent each of 10 new districts as the board triples in size from its current size of seven up to 21 members beginning in January 2025.
Shootings, Homicides in Chicago in 2024 Remain Down Compared to Last Year Through September: Police
According to figures from the Chicago Police Department, there have been 439 homicides and 1,808 shootings recorded through the first nine months of 2024. Those totals are down 8% and 5%, respectively, compared to the same time last year.
FBI Seeking Information on Chicago Bank Robbery Suspect Dubbed ‘Bare-Chested Bandit’
The FBI is seeking any information about a man dubbed the “bare-chested bandit” who is believed to be responsible for a trio of bank robberies in the Loop in recent weeks.
Man Charged in Highland Park Parade Mass Shooting Warned Trial Can Proceed in His Absence as He Skips Second Hearing
Robert Crimo III, who remains in custody at the Lake County Jail, once again refused to attend a status hearing in his case Wednesday, months before he is set to stand trial on seven counts of first-degree murder and dozens of other charges.
Judge Refuses to Toss Michael Madigan Bribery Charges as Ex-House Speaker Heads to Trial
District Judge John Blakey on Wednesday denied a defense motion seeking to toss out a handful of charges, including bribery counts, after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowed the federal bribery statute — known as “section 666” — in a ruling earlier this year.
1 Dead, 2 Injured in Overnight Crash Following Police Chase in McKinley Park
One person is dead and two others were injured following a traffic crash overnight in McKinley Park after Chicago police attempted to investigate two people they believed to be armed.
Man Fatally Shot After Traffic Crash Among 3 People Killed by Gunfire Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police
According to the Chicago Police Department, 30 people were shot in 25 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
CPD Unveils New Helicopter, Days Before Democratic National Convention
Mayor Brandon Johnson and Police Supt. Larry Snelling announced the new Bell 429 helicopter Friday, saying it would be used to help patrol around the convention sites and keep eyes on activities citywide.
Local Paratransit Drivers, Some of Whom Serve CPS Students, Vote to Authorize Strike
Teamsters Local 727, which represents more than 800 drivers, announced this week that its members have voted to authorize a work stoppage after they claim their employer, SCR Medical Transportation, has refused to bargain in good faith.
Ex-Prosecutor, 2 Chicago Police Officers Charged in Alleged Overtime Fraud Scheme
A former Cook County prosecutor and two Chicago police officers are facing felony charges alleging they fraudulently collected more than $100,000 in overtime pay.
Prosecutors Ask Court to Reject Effort to Sever Upcoming Racketeering Trials of Michael Madigan, Michael McClain
Prosecutors late Tuesday filed their response to Madigan’s co-defendant, Michael McClain, whose attorneys last month filed a motion seeking to sever his case from Madigan’s before the men are set to go to trial on racketeering charges later this year.
13-Year-Old Boy Killed, 32 Others Wounded in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police
According to the Chicago Police Department, 33 people were shot in 28 separate shootings between Friday and Sunday evenings.
What We Know About Chicago's DNC Safety and Security Plans
In addition to the politicians, delegates, protesters and attendees come significant security risks Chicago police and other law enforcement entities must tackle to keep people safe during the Democratic National Convention.
Suburban Chicago Man Charged With Illegally Shipping Firearm Parts Hidden in George Foreman Grills to Israel
Amin Betuni, 37, of Palos Hills, entered into a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, admitting that he shipped items on three occasions in 2022 in violation of federal export regulations.
CPS Officials Remind Students to Get Up to Date on Vaccines, Health Records Ahead of Upcoming School Year
CPS and Chicago Department of Public Health officials on Tuesday issued a notice to students and families, reminding them to get their health records in order before classes resume later this month.
2 Teens Among 5 People Killed in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police
Two teens fatally shot in the Back of the Yards neighborhood Saturday were among five people killed by gunfire over the weekend across Chicago, according to the Chicago Police Department.
‘He’s Not Welcome Here’: Protesters Tell Trump He Isn’t Wanted in Chicago Ahead of Former President’s Appearance
Wednesday’s event marked former President Donald Trump’s second appearance in Chicago since 2016, when massive protests forced him to scrap a rally on the University of Illinois Chicago campus.
R. Kelly Asks US Supreme Court to Review Child Pornography Case
In a petition filed last week and unsealed Monday, Kelly’s defense team asked the court to take another look at the case after a lower court rejected his appeal earlier this year.
At Least 3 Killed, 3-Month-Old Injured in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police
Three people were killed and a 3-month-old boy was critically wounded in separate shootings over the weekend across Chicago, according to the Chicago Police Department.
