Stories by 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.

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

Mung Chiang, a renowned researcher, educator and university leader is set to become the first ever Asian American president at Northwestern University.

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.

Members of Chicago’s Board of Education are calling on state lawmakers to step up funding for Chicago Public Schools as the cash-strapped district faces impending staff cuts to fill a $732 million budget gap.

Chicago Public Schools is planning to cut staff positions at schools across the city this summer as it seeks to close a budget deficit that tops $730 million.

It is now up to Circuit Court Judge Adrienne Davis to decide whether there is enough evidence to uphold the conviction of Anthony Garrett in connection with the murder of 7-year-old Dantrell Davis, who was shot and killed by a sniper at Cabrini-Green in 1992.

Hundreds of mourners and members of the Chicago Police Department gathered at St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Church to remember John Bartholomew, who was killed last month in a shooting inside Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital.

Federal agents were reportedly spotted at multiple Cook County courthouses Thursday morning in a move community activists are calling a “significant ramp up” of immigration enforcement in and around Chicago.

The remaining defendants in the “Broadview Six” criminal case no longer face felony charges after a federal judge Thursday morning officially dismissed the top count in the politically-charged case.

An ISP spokesperson confirmed an “initial investigation” is underway after the Franklin Park Police Department asked the state police’s Public Integrity Task Force to investigate Villegas Gonzalez’s death.

Federal prosecutors in Chicago on Tuesday announced Brandi Wright, 44, now faces a charge of wire fraud after she allegedly engaged in Paycheck Protection Program fraud in 2021.

Through the first four months of 2026, Chicago has seen 130 homicides, CPD data shows, up from the 120 recorded during the same period in 2025.

Labor unions, community groups and Chicago Public Schools students are among those gathering Friday afternoon in recognition of May Day.