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‘Case replete with evidence of bad faith’: Emotional arguments cap federal hearing on barring National Guard deployment

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 1d

"Case replete with evidence of bad faith": Emotional arguments cap federal hearing on barring National Guard deployment
The judge seems ready to rule at 4:30 p.m.
Our updated story: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/09/t...

Arguments in federal court over an emergency restraining order that would bar a National Guard deployment began Thursday with lawyers sparring over what constitutes a “rebellion” that such troops m…

ICE agents fatally shoot man after traffic stop in Franklin Park

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 28d

UPDATE: The man fatally shot by an ICE agent during an traffic stop in Franklin Park this morning has bene identified as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, 38.
DHS says he is in the U.S. illegally and was targeted for arrest due to a history of reckless driving www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/12/i...

A federal immigration agent fatally shot a man in northwest suburban Franklin Park Friday morning after the agency says the man tried to flee a traffic stop and struck the officer with his vehicle.

Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop

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Reposted by Jason Meisner

john-byrne.bsky.social @john-byrne.bsky.social · Sep 11

Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @jmetr22b.bsky.social w the details. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/m...

The first-of-its-kind deal, first uncovered by the Tribune in federal court records, would settle all outstanding wrongful conviction cases involving Sgt. Ronald Watts.

Jeffrey Tobolski, ex-McCook mayor, called ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ by judge who sentences him to 4 years in prison in corruption case

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Reposted by Jason Meisner

Michael Hawthorne @scribeguy.bsky.social · Aug 12

"A wired-up executive entertaining politicos at his suburban cigar lounge, secret contracts siphoning funds from red-light cameras to a mob-connected businessman, and another mayor ... handing over an envelope of bribe money at a Crestwood pancake house called Stacked." @jmetr22b.bsky.social

Five years after pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate in a federal investigation, onetime McCook Mayor Jeffrey Tobolski was sentenced at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.

Ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison for scheme to bribe ex-Speaker Michael Madigan

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jul 14

“It takes courage to speak up, to say no in the face of power like Mr. Madigan’s,” a judge told ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker today. “It’s easy to say yes when you have the talent and the wherewithal to play within the corrupt system."
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/14/j...

Federal judge tells longtime insider it was ‘imperative to wipe away the notion’ that his actions were merely lobbying a public official.

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jun 17

I’ll take it!

Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison after judge excoriates him for lying on witness stand

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jun 14

Michael J. Madigan spent decades as speaker of the Illinois House, but when he strode to the lectern in a packed federal courtroom on Friday he seemed almost unsure of what to say. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/m...

Former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was sentenced Friday to 7 1/2 years in prison in his corruption case, capping a stunning fall for the once powerful politician.

‘This was an act of cowardice’: Charges filed against Chicago man in the fatal shooting near DC Jewish museum

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · May 23

Chicago-born Elias Rodriguez, a UIC grad and son of an Iraq war veteran who railed against Israel’s attacks on Gaza, is now facing a potential death sentence in the fatal shootings of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington DC.
Our final report here: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/22/a...

A Chicago man who railed on social media against the ongoing bombing of Gaza fatally shot two members of the Israeli Embassy near the Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday before allegedly…

Ex-CPS principal found dead on day of sentencing in fraud case

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · May 8

“I kick myself in the ass every day for having got it so wrong.”
Tragic ending to a federal fraud case as ex-CPS principal Sarah Jackson Abedelal is found dead on the day of her sentencing www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/07/e...

Former Brennemann Elementary School principal Sarah Jackson Abedelal was found dead after she failed to show up for her sentencing in an overtime kickback scheme, her lawyer told a judge Wednesday.

‘He reminded me of a used car salesman’: State Sen. Emil Jones III blasts FBI mole, calls former colleague Martin Sandoval a ‘bully’ as testimony continues

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Apr 17

In his testimony so far, state Sen. Emil Jones III has called FBI mole Omar Maani a “used car salesman,” former colleague Martin Sandoval a “bully” and ex-Senate President John Cullerton a “boss”
And he says he can dance
Catch up here:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/16/s...

Democratic state Sen. Emil Jones III resumed testifying in his own defense Wednesday as his trial on bribery charges nears an end.

Sitting state lawmaker goes on trial, while Trump tariff changes spark confusion

Reposted by Jason Meisner

The 21st Show @21st.show · Apr 11

This week in politics, State Sen. Emil Jones III of Chicago is accused of taking bribes from a red-light camera company. Now, his political career, and his freedom, are at stake in federal court, as @jmetr22b.bsky.social reports. Plus, Linda Kenyon and the latest on tariffs.

YouTube video by Illinois Public Media

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Apr 11

'They always asked me for money': Ex-red light camera exec talks about cigars, dinners, bribes www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/10/e...

Former red-light camera company exec to testify in bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Apr 9

Former red-light camera company executive Omar Maani, one of the more prolific FBI moles in recent Chicago history, is expected to take a federal witness stand for the first time today as the bribery trial of state Sen. Emil Jones III kicks off in earnest. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/09/r...

Former red-light camera company executive Omar Maani, one of the more prolific FBI moles in recent Chicago history, is expected to take a federal witness stand for the first time Wednesday as the b…

Anointed by powerful father, state Sen. Emil Jones III heads to trial on bribery charges

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Apr 7

Anointed by powerful father, state Sen. Emil Jones III heads to trial on bribery charges www.chicagotribune.com/2025/04/06/a...

Chicago Democrat Emil Jones III, a sitting state senator, will face a federal jury that could end his political career and make him a convicted felon.

‘Flying Lady’ owner gets 5 years in prison in fraud involving Chicago party yacht with stripper pole

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Reposted by Jason Meisner

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · Mar 27

A Skokie man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison in a multi-million-dollar bank fraud case that involved a 58-foot party yacht known as the “Flying Lady,” a onetime fixture in Chicago’s summer boating scene adorned with a pink stripper pole attached to the afterdeck.

A Skokie man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison in a multi-million dollar bank fraud case that involved a 58-foot party yacht known as the “Flying Lady,” a onetime fixtu…

‘They’ve got everlasting money, bro’: Chicago archdiocese alleges conspiracy to file false sex abuse claims against defrocked priest

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Mar 25

'They've got everlasting money, bro': Chicago archdiocese alleges conspiracy to file false sex abuse claims against defrocked priest www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/25/c...

An unusual new lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Chicago on Monday alleged a group of mostly West Side residents conspired for years to bring false allegations of sexual abuse against a notorious…

‘The end of an era’: Top Madigan prosecutor known for bringing blockbuster mob, corruption cases, stepping down

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Mar 14

“If I were a criminal and I knew I did something bad, the last person I would want to see show up in court on my case is Amar Bhachu.”
Top Madigan prosecutor known for bringing blockbuster mob, corruption cases, stepping down www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/14/t...

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu is leaving office after leading a series of bombshell investigations into mobsters, lobbyists, corporate CEOs and crooked politicians that culminated with th…

Chicago’s storied U.S. attorney’s office at crossroads as indictments dip, search for leader underway

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Mar 10

NEW: 2 years after Chicago's last Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney departed, the number of indictments is in free fall, there's been an exodus of leadership, and upheaval in DC has many on edge.
The city's storied U.S. attorney's office is at a crossroads: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/03/10/c...

The search for Chicago’s 42nd U.S. attorney comes at a significant moment in history for an office long extolled as a model for the nation.

Madigan defense attempts to chip away at bribery allegations as closing arguments continue

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jan 27

“If Mike Madigan is being bribed in 2016, how the hell does that happen? Because he wasn’t.”
Madigan defense attempts to chip away at bribery allegations as closing arguments continue www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/27/m...

A lawyer for former House Speaker Michael Madigan continued his final pitch to the jury Monday by attacking allegations of a ComEd bribery scheme as well as the FBI mole at the center of the landma…

‘That’s you laughing, sir, isn’t it?’: Prosecutor launches into Madigan as cross-examination begins

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jan 14

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan's "made out like bandits" comment on a federal wiretap has finally been aired in court and is attached to this updated story:
Prosecutor: "That’s you laughing, sir, isn’t it?" www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/13/c...

The hotly anticipated cross-examination of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan kicked off Monday with a sledgehammer of a wiretap.

‘Did you ever trade your public office for private gain?’: Ex-Speaker Madigan takes stand in own defense at landmark corruption trial

Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jan 8

In a stunning and risky move, Michael J. Madigan, once the state’s most powerful politician, took the witness stand in his own defense Tuesday, offering wide-ranging testimony about his rise to power as well as emphatic denials he ever betrayed his office: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/01/07/m...

In a stunning and risky move, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan takes the stand in his own public corruption trial.

Ald. Jim Gardiner settles First Amendment lawsuit over blocking detractors on official social media accounts

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Reposted by Jason Meisner

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · Dec 31

Far Northwest Side Ald. Jim Gardiner has agreed to pay more than $157,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by Northwest Side residents who accused the alderman of violating their First Amendment rights when he blocked them and deleted their comments on his official government social media account.

Six Northwest Side residents accused the alderman of violating their First Amendment rights when he blocked them and deleted their comments on his official government social media account.

Fate of endangered State Street historic buildings still hangs in the balance as feds weigh security needs

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Reposted by Jason Meisner

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · Dec 27

Historic preservationists thought demands had been answered when the federal government appeared to green-light the rehab of century-old office towers on State Street. But security restrictions governing how the buildings are used have raised questions.

Preservationists say the buildings might be successfully redeveloped as apartments, affordable housing or a hotel, bringing life back to a long-dead section of State Street.

Diligent, hardworking, powerful: Defense portrait of Michael Madigan emerges

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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Dec 23

With Michael Madigan’s defense case now underway, one angle that has so far not materialized is the idea that Madigan would try to throw his old friend and co-defendant, Michael McClain, under the proverbial bus.
So what will they argue to the jury?
Read on:
www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/22/d...

Madigan defense aims to show speaker was so powerful, companies in case may have made political hiring decisions to keep from “rocking the boat” in Springfield and not any illegal excha…