Tom Schuba
@schuba.bsky.social
WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times public safety editor tschuba@suntimes.com Signal: TSCST.40
Over the last three years there have been more than 70 fires at an Illinois prison, including 12 cases of self-immolation. One man needed a skin graft. Another lost a leg. Two have died. A new investigation below. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
A Prison on Fire
Designed to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.
themarshallproject.org
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog... Carlos Baker, who shot and killed his partner Krystal Rivera, was referred to a strict supervision program just weeks before the killing. But a supervisor never followed up on the email and he was never enrolled w @schuba.bsky.social @peternickeas.bsky.social
Chicago police failed to place troubled cop under strict supervision before he fatally shot partner
Carlos Baker was referred to a program that puts officers under intense oversight. Failing could mean “severe” discipline or firing. But Baker wasn't enrolled before he shot Officer Krystal Rivera bec...
chicago.suntimes.com
The Tiulenevs spoke out against the war in Ukraine and sought asylum in the United States, only to be thrust into an immigration system that’s become more unforgiving for Russians.
A dissident family fled Russia after their home was set on fire. Trump's administration wants to deport them.
wbez.org
There have been plenty twists and turns in Chicago's federal courthouse since the "Broadview Six" case collapsed in late May. It's been a lot to keep up with. So here's where things stand, one month later, via @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...
Inside the 'Broadview Six' scandal rocking Chicago's federal courthouse
High-profile cases are collapsing, judges want answers, and defense attorneys are calling for an investigation — and the possible prosecution — of Chicago’s top federal law enforcement official. Here'...
chicago.suntimes.com
High-profile cases are collapsing, judges want answers, and defense attorneys are calling for an investigation — and the possible prosecution — of Chicago’s top federal law enforcement official. Here's what you need to know.
Inside the 'Broadview Six' scandal rocking Chicago's federal courthouse
chicago.suntimes.com
NEWS: Read the grand jury transcripts that tanked the controversial 'Broadview 6' case, by @jonseidel.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Read the grand jury transcripts that tanked the controversial 'Broadview 6' case
The case revolved around a September protest and collapsed last month amid revelations of apparent prosecutorial misconduct during the grand jury proceedings.
chicago.suntimes.com
Ex-federal prosecutors call out 'failure of leadership' by Chicago's embattled U.S. attorney. @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Ex-federal prosecutors call out 'failure of leadership' by Chicago's embattled U.S. attorney
It’s the latest in a string of highly unusual developments following the collapse of the “Broadview Six” case over apparent prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings.
chicago.suntimes.com
A controversial Justice Department official who’s caught the attention of the “Broadview Six” had contact with Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ office and unspecified involvement in Operation Midway Blitz, sources say. @chicago.suntimes.com story: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Controversial DOJ official eyed by 'Broadview 6' was involved in Chicago deportation blitz, source says
It’s unclear what role Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh played in Operation Midway Blitz. But lawyers for the "Broadview Six" protesters are now seeking records that could tie Singh to t...
chicago.suntimes.com
A controversial Justice Department official who’s caught the attention of the “Broadview Six” has been in contact with Chicago U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ office and was involved in Operation Midway Blitz, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Controversial DOJ official eyed by 'Broadview 6' was involved in Chicago deportation blitz, source says
chicago.suntimes.com
Illinois State Police launches investigation into deadly ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas González Scoop by @sophiesherry.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...
Illinois State Police launches investigation into deadly ICE shooting of Silverio Villegas González
Franklin Park police asked ISP to investigate on Thursday, when a state commission released a damning report detailing the actions of federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz.
chicago.suntimes.com
Chicago cops did little to investigate gun stolen from police station and used in three shootings, new records show @ctoner.bsky.social @peternickeas.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Chicago cops did little to probe gun stolen from police station and used in three shootings, new records show
The Chicago Police Department fought to keep secret any details of its investigation into a Glock handgun that was taken from a room full of cops at the Gresham District station in late 2023. In the end, no one was charged, and no cops were disciplined.
chicago.suntimes.com
Cook County’s top prosecutor abruptly dropped a felony case against a DePaul University student accused of spitting on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent over the weekend at O’Hare Airport. chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...
Felony case dropped against DePaul student accused of spitting on ICE agent at Chicago's O'Hare Airport
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke “personally reviewed the case" against 20-year-old Brett Heier and directed prosecutors to toss the only charge, according to a statement from her off...
chicago.suntimes.com
A DePaul student was charged with a felony for spitting on an ICE agent working at O’Hare Airport amid the partial government shutdown. But his lawyer says he's only accused of spitting on the agent’s shoe and his actions fall under the “broad gamut of freedom of expression.” tinyurl.com/bdhmw68n
DePaul student accused of spitting on ICE agent at O'Hare Airport, but lawyer says felony case is overblown
Brett Heier's attorney Barry Sheppard says his client is only accused of spitting on the agent's shoe and his actions fall under the "broad gamut of freedom of expression."
tinyurl.com
David Berger was convicted late last year of laundering more than $300,000 for a reputed Mexican cocaine-trafficker. Despite the conviction, he's still a key figure in a legal cannabis empire in Illinois that owns 10 Ivy Hall dispensaries. chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Cocaine cash launderer still a key figure in legal Illinois cannabis empire
David Berger, who was convicted of laundering more than $300,000 for a reputed Mexican cocaine-trafficker, is closely associated with Ivy Hall, a chain of social equity marijuana dispensaries. Berger,...
chicago.suntimes.com
Sheridan Gorman’s killing puts Chicago back at the center of America's bitter fight over immigration chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Sheridan Gorman’s killing puts Chicago back at the center of America's bitter fight over immigration
As loved ones and fellow Loyola University Chicago students mourn the slain freshman, her death has become a rallying cry for politicians demanding stricter immigration enforcement.
chicago.suntimes.com
Sheridan Gorman’s killing puts Chicago back at the center of America's bitter fight over immigration chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Sheridan Gorman’s killing puts Chicago back at the center of America's bitter fight over immigration
As loved ones and fellow Loyola University Chicago students mourn the slain freshman, her death has become a rallying cry for politicians demanding stricter immigration enforcement.
chicago.suntimes.com
Angelo Martino negotiated for companies hit by ransomware attacks as an employee of Chicago-based DigitalMint. But prosecutors say he actually helped carry out the hacks at the center of those same ransom schemes.
Employee of Chicago cybersecurity firm brokered $75m in ransom payments after orchestrating hacks: feds
chicago.suntimes.com
Angelo Martino was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, prosecutors say. As an employee of Chicago cybersecurity firm DigitalMint, Martino negotiated for companies hit with ransom demands after their computers were hacked. But he actually helped orchestrate the hacks, prosecutors say. tinyurl.com/4n5nnc8e
Employee of Chicago cybersecurity firm brokered $75m in ransom payments after orchestrating hacks: feds
Angelo Martino negotiated for companies hit by ransomware attacks as an employee of Chicago-based DigitalMint. But prosecutors say he actually helped carry out the hacks at the center of those same ra...
tinyurl.com
Remaining Broadview 6 defendants want records showing Trump administration's influence on conspiracy case From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Remaining Broadview 6 defendants want records showing Trump administration's influence on conspiracy case
They say it's another example of the administration using the Justice Department to target the president’s “perceived political enemies.” Among the four remaining defendants in the high-profile case a...
chicago.suntimes.com
NEWS: A coalition of lawyers, politicians and clergy filed a petition seeking a special prosecutor to target the agents who carried out Operation Midway Blitz. They argue Cook County State's Attorney O'Neill Burke has turned a “blind eye” to “egregious acts of violence.” tinyurl.com/3abnsydx
Seeking special prosecutor to target ICE, coalition says O'Neill Burke turned 'blind eye' to feds' violence
A group of elected officials, clergy, journalists and attorneys filed a petition Thursday pushing for an independent attorney to prosecute the federal agents who carried out Operation Midway Blitz for...
tinyurl.com
A Chicago police officer faces dismissal nearly four years after he shot and paralyzed a 13-year-old boy who was holding a cellphone that was mistaken for a gun, @sophiesherry.bsky.social reports. chicago.suntimes.com/police-refor...
Chicago police officer faces firing for shooting 13-year-old boy after mistaking cellphone for gun
It’s the second time the Civilian Office of Police Officer Accountability has pushed to fire Officer Noah Ball over an on-duty shooting. In the earlier case, Ball was given a one-day suspension after ...
chicago.suntimes.com
A Chicago woman says she killed abusive boyfriend to save herself and their unborn child. Will a jury agree? @sophiesherry.bsky.social reports chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2026/0...
Chicago woman says she killed abusive boyfriend to save herself and their unborn child. Will a jury agree?
Keshia Golden says she fatally stabbed Calvin Sidney in 2022 when he attacked her after their baby shower. Now the mother of a 3-year-old daughter, Golden is still facing murder charges in a case her ...
chicago.suntimes.com
NEWS: One of the Chicago police officers who fatally shot Dexter Reed during a traffic stop in 2024 has now been accused of threatening to beat up a fellow cop at a Norwood Park bar over the weekend. Story by @sophiesherry.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/dexter-reed/...
Chicago police officer involved in Dexter Reed shooting accused of threatening detective at NW Side bar
Officer Thomas Spanos and another cop allegedly picked a fight with the detective early Saturday at Tommy’s on Higgins, according to a police report. The detective called 911 and reported that veiled ...
chicago.suntimes.com
NEW: U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez has granted the feds' motion to dismiss in the Operation Midway Blitz case against Erik Meier. He's the 16th of 32 known Midway Blitz defendants cleared. No known convictions.
Jon Seidel@jonseidel.bsky.social · 6mo agoJUST IN: Federal prosecutors in Chicago move to dismiss charges against another defendant tied to Operation Midway Blitz. Erik Meier faced trial 3/9 for resisting a federal officer. Once the motion is granted, he will be the 16th of 32 known defendants cleared. No known convictions.
JUST IN: Marimar Martinez, the Chicago woman shot by Border Patrol agent, expected to file lawsuit and release evidence Wednesday From @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Marimar Martinez, the Chicago woman shot by Border Patrol agent, expected to file lawsuit, release evidence
Body-cam video, text messages and other evidence tied to shooting during Operation Midway Blitz is set for a Wednesday release.
chicago.suntimes.com
ICE officer charged with misdemeanor for attacking immigrant rights activist in Chicago suburb From @sophiesherry.bsky.social and @schuba.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE officer charged with attacking immigrant rights activist in Chicago suburb
Adam Saracco, who was off duty, was charged with a misdemeanor count of battery in connection to the Dec. 27 attack at a gas station in Brookfield, Ill., according to Brookfield police and the Cook Co...
chicago.suntimes.com
illinoisanswers.org/2026/01/15/c... My latest with @schuba.bsky.social and Peter Nickeas about the tac team cop who shot and killed his partner. After Carlos Baker's initial rejection, Baker's district commander approved his promotion even after Baker disobeyed orders and cussed out his sergeant
Chicago Police Brass Had Rejected Troubled Cop's Move to Elite Unit Before He Fatally Shot Partner
The chief of patrol approved Officer Carlos Baker’s transfer despite denying his request for the move less than a year earlier because of “discipline’ problems.
illinoisanswers.org
Before CPD Officer Carlos Baker fatally shot his tactical team partner Krystal Rivera, Patrol Chief Jon Hein blocked his bid to join the team because of his disciplinary record. Hein later reversed course a few months before the shooting. chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Chicago police brass had rejected troubled cop's move to elite unit before he fatally shot partner
Chief of Patrol Jon Hein ultimately approved Officer Carlos Baker’s transfer despite having denied his request for the move less than a year earlier because of “discipline" problems.
chicago.suntimes.com
New indictment cites shooting near Border Patrol agents in Chicago, still doesn't charge gunman From @chicago.suntimes.com, w/ @schuba.bsky.social: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
New indictment cites shooting near Border Patrol agents in Chicago, still doesn't charge gunman
A federal grand jury stopped well short of charging Hector Gomez with any crime related to the shooting, or even of putting the weapon in his hand when shots were fired.
chicago.suntimes.com
The nonprofit owner of the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ paid its outgoing CEO more than $900,000 in 2024, new tax filings show, as it engaged in staff cuts and other measures to deal with declining revenue.
Ex-CEO of Chicago Public Media saw $900,000 payout in 2024, IRS filings show
chicago.suntimes.com