Stories by Matt Masterson
Chicago US Attorney’s Office Reviewing Past Grand Jury Proceedings After Another Case Tied to ‘Broadview Six’ Prosecutor Falls Apart
| Matt Masterson
Chicago’s embattled U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros said his office is reviewing scores of grand jury cases from across the 20-year career of the prosecutor now facing misconduct allegations from the “Broadview Six” protester case.
Chicago Advocates Call for New Gun Violence Prevention Efforts After Mass Shooting, Trump Response
| Matt Masterson
Faith leaders and elected officials called for the creation of a new gun violence prevention department, claiming the existing Office of Violence Prevention is a “ghost office” that doesn’t do enough to keep Chicagoans safe.
Obamas Celebrate Chicago Roots, Power of Community During Presidential Center’s Opening
| Matt Masterson
The Obama Presidential Center hosted a grand opening ceremony complete with a host of musical acts and notable guests.
Chicago Man Facing Hate Crime Charges After Cross Burning in Grant Park
| Matt Masterson
Merlin Lu, 21, was charged with two hate crime counts as well as additional charges including arson, property damage, disorderly conduct and cross burning as a means of intimidation.
George Cardenas Enters Expanding Chicago Mayoral Race
| Matt Masterson
The former alderperson and current Cook County Board of Review commissioner kicked off his campaign during a lunch event on Chicago’s Southwest Side Tuesday at which he pledged to tackle the city’s fiscal and public safety issues.
Body Camera Footage From Fatal Shooting of CPD Officer Ella French Released
| Matt Masterson
Body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of Chicago police Officer Ella French was released Wednesday, nearly five years after she was killed during a traffic stop in the Englewood neighborhood.
‘Broadview Six’ Seek Special Prosecutor to Investigate U.S. Attorney’s Office Misconduct Allegations
| Matt Masterson
Defense attorneys late Tuesday filed new motions asking U.S. District Judge April Perry to designate a special counsel to investigate, and if warranted, prosecute members of Boutros’ office for criminal contempt following bombshell allegations of grand jury misconduct.
‘Pandora’s Box Has Been Opened’: Judge Blasts US Attorney Andrew Boutros as Another Case Tied to ‘Broadview Six’ Scandal Falls Apart
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors will toss out felony charges against two men accused in connection with a massive COVID-19 fraud scheme amid ties to the same prosecutor and grand jury from the botched “Broadview Six” protester case.
CPS CEO Macquline King Defends District in Testimony Before GOP-Led Congressional Committee
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King defended the school district amid congressional criticism of its support for trans students, the Black Student Success Plan and “ideological agendas.”
‘Crock of S--t’: Unsealed Grand Jury Transcripts Detail Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct in ‘Broadview Six’ Case
| Matt Masterson
Newly unsealed transcripts detail federal prosecutors’ alleged misconduct as they repeatedly pushed for felony charges from a skeptical grand jury in the “Broadview Six” protester case.
111 Ex-Federal Prosecutors Blast US Attorney Andrew Boutros, Saying He ‘Tarnished’ His Office’s Reputation
| Matt Masterson
More than 100 former federal prosecutors have published an open letter blasting U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, claiming he “tarnished the reputation” of the office in the wake of the botched “Broadview Six” case.
Chicago Sees Fewest May Homicides in Decades, But Shootings Remain Ahead of Last Year’s Pace
| Matt Masterson
According to the Chicago Police Department, there were 36 homicides throughout last month, two fewer than were recorded during May 2025, a year that ended with a historically low homicide total.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Launches Chicago Mayoral Campaign
| Matt Masterson
“I believe government should answer to the people it serves, not political insiders or special interests,” Mendoza said in a video announcing her campaign. “Because Chicagoans are tired of paying more and getting less, tired of politics that divides people without solving problems.”
‘Broadview Six’ File Motion to Recoup Legal Expenses After Botched Prosecution
| Matt Masterson
Defense attorneys filed a motion through which they will seek to recoup attorneys' fees for the now-former defendants, days after Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced his office had dismissed all charges in the controversial case.
US Attorney Andrew Boutros Spoke to Grand Jury on Day of ‘Broadview Six’ Indictment
| Matt Masterson
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros has acknowledged he did speak to grand jurors the day they returned an indictment in the “Broadview Six” case, but claimed he only did so to provide “general comments” about the need for grand jurors to be fair and impartial.
Duckworth, Durbin Call on Andrew Boutros to Step Down as Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Amid ‘Chaos,’ ‘Dysfunction’
| Matt Masterson
U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin issued a joint statement on Tuesday morning, joining the growing calls for Boutros — a Trump administration appointee — to step down.
51 Candidates Set to Run for Chicago’s First Fully Elected School Board
| Matt Masterson
There are 51 total candidates who are currently set to appear on the November ballot for the at-large board president position and 20 board seats that are up for grabs, according to Chicago elections officials, after Tuesday marked the end of the candidate filing period.
U.S. Attorney Announces ‘Sweeping’ Changes to Grand Jury Policies After Misconduct Allegations Rocked ‘Broadview Six’ Case
| Matt Masterson
Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced “sweeping” reforms to his office’s grand jury procedures, days after allegations of prosecutorial misconduct tanked the “Broadview Six” case and sparked blowback against his office.
Normally Secret Grand Jury Transcripts From Failed ‘Broadview Six’ Prosecution Expected to be Released
| Matt Masterson
Transcripts detailing federal prosecutors’ alleged misconduct during multiple grand jury proceedings in the “Broadview Six” case are expected to be released publicly after the politically-charged case fell apart last week.
‘Broadview Six’ Seek Preservation Order After Allegations of ‘Nauseating’ Misconduct By Federal Prosecutors Tank Case
| Matt Masterson
Friday’s motion comes a day after prosecutors dismissed all charges against the remaining defendants, a stunning turn following allegations of prosecutorial misconduct and a subsequent cover-up by members of Chicago’s U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Cook County Judge Rejects Push to Appoint Special Prosecutor to Investigate Alleged ICE Misconduct
| Matt Masterson
A Cook County judge has rejected calls for a special prosecutor to probe allegations of criminal misconduct committed by federal immigration agents after Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke refused to launch her own investigations.
Feds Drop All Charges in ‘Broadview Six’ Case Following Closed-Door Meeting Over Grand Jury Transcripts
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors have abruptly dismissed all charges against the remaining “Broadview Six” defendants, days before the case was set to go to trial. The move followed a closed-door hearing Thursday over redacted grand jury transcripts.
Faith Leaders Allowed Daily Access to Broadview ICE Facility Under New Agreement
| Matt Masterson
Catholic and interfaith leaders will be allowed to provide spiritual care to detainees held at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing center in Broadview under a new agreement reached this month.
Judge Denies ‘Field Trip’ Request to ICE Processing Center in Broadview Protester Trial
| Matt Masterson
U.S. District Judge April Perry on Monday rejected the request, saying she believes there’s no need for a jury “field trip” to the Broadview center and that the risk of something going wrong while there would be “massive.”
Northwestern University Picks Purdue’s Mung Chiang to be New President
| Matt Masterson
Mung Chiang, a renowned researcher, educator and university leader is set to become the first ever Asian American president at Northwestern University.
CPS CEO Macquline King Subpoenaed to Testify Before Congressional Education Committee
| Matt Masterson
A Republican-led Congressional committee has subpoenaed Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King, compelling her to appear in Washington and testify on the school district’s compliance with federal civil rights and privacy laws.
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