Jon Seidel Profile picture
Federal Courts Reporter, @Suntimes Author, “Second City Sinners,” @Lyons_Press Alum, @BSUCCIM and @PostTrib
Dec 21, 2023 13 tweets 1 min read
#BREAKING Former Chicago Ald. Edward M. Burke has been convicted of racketeering. He was the longest-serving City Council member in Chicago history: chicago.suntimes.com/2023/12/21/240… Burke is looking forward as the verdict continues to be read. He just brought his right hand upon his left hand, and is holding his chin up on both.
Jun 11, 2021 12 tweets 3 min read
#BREAKING: Chicago police officer Karol J. Chwiesiuk charged in connection with U.S. Capitol breach. Developing @Suntimes story: bit.ly/3zfX9sN w/ @MHendricksonCST Chwiesiuk faces five misdemeanors and was arrested around 8 a.m. today. He is currently appearing before a federal magistrate judge in Chicago.
Jun 10, 2021 8 tweets 1 min read
During a status hearing in his federal criminal case this morning, defense counsel for Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson again asks for a trial date, aiming for "some time this fall." Judge Valderrama tells the lawyers the earliest he can set a trial is February 2022.
Jun 9, 2021 10 tweets 1 min read
A status hearing is set to begin shortly in R. Kelly's NY racketeering case, two days after his leading Chicago-based attorneys asked to withdraw from the case.

Trial is (currently) set for Aug. 9. Just connected to the teleconference. Sounds like there are quite a few people tuned in to this hearing.

Getting started.
Jun 8, 2021 6 tweets 2 min read
#BREAKING A Kenilworth man has been arrested in connection with the U.S. Capitol breach. Christian Kulas, 24, is at least the ninth Illinoisan charged in the breach. A hearing for Kulas is now underway. He faces two misdemeanor charges, and he was arrested at 6:12 a.m. today, according to a prosecutor.
Sep 17, 2020 23 tweets 5 min read
#BREAKING Jerry Harris of the Netflix show "Cheer" has been arrested on production of child pornography charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's office in Chicago. Details to come. Earlier story here: bit.ly/3iHiTVs From the summary of a 28-page criminal complaint against Harris:
May 21, 2020 4 tweets 2 min read
New this morning: Gov. J.B. Pritzker has removed Rep. Darren Bailey's lawsuit from state court in Clay County to federal court, one day before a hearing in Clay County that threatened Pritzker's stay-at-home order. Pritzker removed the lawsuit "because the action seeks redress for alleged deprivations of Bailey's federal constitutional rights caused by actions taken under color of state law."
Apr 9, 2020 11 tweets 2 min read
JUST IN: In a 37-page opinion, a federal judge has granted some relief to detainees at the Cook County Jail in light of the coronavirus outbreak, but he has denied their request for transfer to "other forms of custody." U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly has ordered the sheriff to implement a policy by 4/11 "requiring prompt coronavirus testing of detainees who exhibit symptoms" and "detainees who have been exposed" to those individuals.
Jan 28, 2020 49 tweets 7 min read
Ex-Sen. Martin Sandoval due in court shortly on red-light camera bribery charge: bit.ly/38WTrq3 Sandoval arrived at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse about 15 minutes ago. He mostly kept his back to the media and walked toward the elevators without making any comment.
Jun 24, 2019 36 tweets 11 min read
Sentencing day arrives for ex-Ald. Willie Cochran bit.ly/2xhaYrP via @Suntimes @Suntimes Willie Cochran's sentencing hearing off to an awkward start. When the judge asks if he's ready, he says "I'm not quite sure ... is there some choice that I have here?" He eventually says, "I am ready to proceed."