ICE says 81% arrested in Operation Midway Blitz had no convictions, falsely asserts no citizens arrested NEW from @tinasfon.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Marimar Martinez, Chicago woman shot 5 times by federal agent, to testify at Washington hearing @tinasfon.bsky.social reports: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Chicago man gets 25 years for serving as a 'press person' for the ISIS terrorist organization @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...

Former charter school executive Tim King charged with stealing more than $100,000 from Urban Prep @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social reports: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...

“I think it should be over." "They will be found guilty again.” As McClain and Pramaggiore walk free, the jurors who convicted them reflect on the case. From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/comed-briber...

How do we know what the ComEd jurors were thinking in 2023? Ask them. Anne Pramaggiore and Michael McClain are free and face a new trial, but jurors say they already considered ‘every aspect’ of the Madigan-related corruption case From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/comed-briber...

Representatives of Michael McClain and Anne Pramaggiore have now also confirmed their release. From Pramaggiore spokesman Mark Herr:

JUST IN: The Federal Bureau of Prisons confirms that ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and longtime lobbyist Michael McClain have been released from custody.

UPDATE: Michael McClain's lawyers say he is set to be released from prison in Kentucky around 4 p.m. today. (This motion doesn't give a time zone, but it's already after 4 p.m. in Lexington, KY.)

Feds in Chicago get first guilty plea in a Midway Blitz case — but not for assaulting immigration agents @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...

JUST IN: The feds in Chicago have secured their first guilty plea tied to Operation Midway Blitz. Anthony Gonzalez Alvarez is expected to pay $1,362 in restitution but avoid prison. Judge LaShonda Hunt must still accept or reject the deal, though. For now, she's deferring.

Good morning. No updates in the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator overnight. Michael McClain and Anne Pramaggiore are still listed as being held in their respective prisons, for now. U.S. District Judge Manish Shah ordered that they be released "immediately."

“Make arrangements to release Pramaggiore and McClain from federal custody forthwith.” Federal appeals court delivers what could be crushing blow to one of the most significant corruption prosecutions in Chicago's recent memory. @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/comed-briber...

Nearly three years ago, a lawyer for ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore warned a whole new trial may be necessary in the Madigan-related ComEd conspiracy case. Now that prediction's coming true. UPDATED @chicago.suntimes.com story on today's big blow to the feds: chicago.suntimes.com/comed-briber...

Statement from Anne Pramaggiore spokesman Mark Herr:

#BREAKING The federal appeals court in Chicago grants bond to ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and former longtime lobbyist Michael McClain, freeing them while they await a new trial.

First take on today's ComEd appeal arguments. The 2023 convictions of Anne Pramaggiore and Michael McClain seem to be on shaky ground, with even their release from prison on the table. From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/comed-briber...

Oral argument is getting underway in the appeal of ComEd conspiracy defendants Anne Pramaggiore and Michael McClain. Judges David Hamilton, Thomas Kirsch and Joshua Kolar are hearing the case. Hamilton is participating remotely.

Good morning. We're about 35 minutes away from arguments in the appeal of ComEd conspiracy defendants Anne Pramaggiore and Michael McClain. This morning's 7th Circuit panel includes Judges David Hamilton (Obama), Thomas Kirsch (Trump), and Joshua Kolar (Biden).

Federal prosecutors in Chicago tonight are asking U.S. District Judge April Perry to reject arguments from the remaining members of the "Broadview Six" that their conspiracy charge should be dismissed on First Amendment grounds:

JUST IN: U.S. District Judge April Perry has set a 4/20 hearing on a motion to dismiss in the still-pending Illinois National Guard lawsuit from last fall. She also has some specific questions for the attorneys. Background here: chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...

Madigan's landmark conviction now in hands of appeals court focused on 'specific' corruption From @chicago.suntimes.com on today's arguments: chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-tria...

Full audio of today's argument in the appeal of ex-IL House Speaker Michael Madigan, via the 7th Circuit: media.ca7.uscourts.gov/sound/extern...

7th Circuit Judges Frank Easterbrook, Michael Scudder and Nancy Maldonado just took the bench for arguments in the appeal of ex-IL House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Here's a link where you should be able to livestream today's argument in Michael Madigan's appeal: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2M7...

UPDATE: The judges hearing Michael Madigan’s appeal today are Frank Easterbrook (Reagan), Michael Scudder (Trump) and Nancy Maldonado (Biden).

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments at 2 p.m. today in the case of imprisoned former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Here's a look from @chicago.suntimes.com at the arguments and the new players in the case: chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-tria...

UPDATE: A second Operation Midway Blitz defendant is now on track for a guilty plea in Chicago. Anthony Gonzalez Alvarez was accused in October of assaulting CBP officers (details from the complaint below). His change of plea hearing is set for 4/15.

Good morning. Judge Matthew Kennelly just set a hearing in which Hector Gomez, facing weapons charges tied to Operation Midway Blitz, is likely to enter a guilty plea. That could make him the feds' first Midway Blitz conviction. Hearing is 4/27. Background: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

The judge presiding over the conspiracy case against the remaining members of the “Broadview Six” largely closed the book on a bid for White House communications in the case, after the feds denied that any such correspondence exists. From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Good morning. U.S. District Judge April Perry just took the bench for the latest hearing in the case of the remaining members of the "Broadview Six." We're seven weeks from the trial date.

Chicago’s top federal prosecutor doesn’t mince words when asked if he takes marching orders from Washington. “[There is] not a single case, ok, involving politics in our decision making. Full stop. Period. Zero.” From @chicago.suntimes.com on his first year: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...

UPDATE: More than 130 ex-Chicago federal prosecutors have signed on to a comment opposing a proposed rule that could block states from investigating DOJ lawyers for ethics violations. Among those on the list are former U.S. attorneys Dan Webb, Scott Lassar, Patrick Fitzgerald and Zach Fardon:

Michael Madigan's corruption case is returning to Chicago's U.S. courthouse. The appeals court is set to hear it Thursday, as well as the related ComEd conspiracy case days later. A few legal heavyweights are also joining the fight. From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/madigan-tria...

Tonight's full filing in the "Broadview 6" case is here: cst.brightspotcdn.com/3e/31/38c127...

The texts are in the latest defense filing in the "Broadview 6" case. The feds have angrily denied any claim of selective prosecution. But the defense says the feds' "overheated rhetoric" flows from a "conspicuous disregard of the undeniable fact" that Trump's DOJ shattered "time-honored norms."

JUST IN: Defense attorneys for the remaining members of the "Broadview 6" say the agent they're accused of impeding texted about their indictment, reported their political positions to senior ICE officials after they were charged.

Chicago’s top federal prosecutor said he’s taking “no chances” that Sheridan Gorman’s alleged killer will be released. He's filed an illegal gun possession charge against the Venezuelan immigrant. From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...

Read the full complaint here: www.justice.gov/usao-ndil/me...

#BREAKING Federal prosecutors in Chicago charge Jose Medina-Medina, separately charged with the murder of Sheridan Gorman, with illegal possession of a firearm.

From @nytimes.com: Trump fires Attorney General Pam Bondi: www.nytimes.com/live/2026/04...

Trump’s Justice Department Dropped 23,000 Criminal Investigations in Shift to Immigration From @propublica.org: www.propublica.org/article/trum...

7-2 to block the executive order; maybe 8-1. This wasn't (and won't be) close. I'll have more thoughts on why (and what that means) in tomorrow's newsletter: www.stevevladeck.com

Federal prosecutors delivered a full-throated defense Monday of the conspiracy case against the “Broadview Six,” insisting claims of selective or vindictive prosecution are “the product of fevered paranoia and delusional speculation.” From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

You can read today's full court filing here: cst.brightspotcdn.com/7b/73/8d13d1...

JUST IN: Federal prosecutors in Chicago deride claims of selective/vindictive prosecution in the "Broadview Six" conspiracy case as "the product of fevered paranoia and delusional speculation, not to mention grossly disingenuous and thoroughly irresponsible."

ICE Killed A Man Outside Chicago Last Year. Little Has Been Done To Investigate From @mollydevore.bsky.social via @blockclubchi.bsky.social: blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/23/i...

‘We feel compelled to speak and act' Ex-federal prosecutors in Chicago taking on Trump's DOJ From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...

Federal jurors in Chicago convicted a suburban man of threatening judges, doctors, lawyers, police and President Donald Trump — even though the man’s lawyer told them “this is the biggest Trumper you’re going to find.” From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...

Ex-federal prosecutors in Chicago taking on Trump's 'troubling' DOJ: ‘We feel compelled to speak and act' NEW from @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/donald-trump...