Even though he's been in jail for nearly four years, it looks as though former Chicago Police Department Special Operations Section officer Jerome Finnigan may finally be sentenced to actual prison sentence. Finnigan and three other officers were indicted on civil rights charges yesterday related to their actions while serving on the SOS. All four are expected to plead guilty. more ›

A former business partner of Mayor Daley's son Patrick was indicted on three counts of mail fraud yesterday in connection to the latest minority-contracting scheme to hit City Hall. Anthony Duffy was charged along with Jesse Brunt, of defrauding the city and inflating invoices for services rendered. more ›

U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald is calling today's unsealed indictments of 36 members of three drug cartels - including two leaders of feuding cartels - "the most significant drug importation conspiracies ever charged in Chicago." The three biggest figures charged are Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera (#701 on Forbes' list of the world's richest people), Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada-Garcia, and Arturo Beltran-Leyva. The Tribune has much more background on the story and also has the actual indictments. more ›

Prosecutors today informed suspect William Balfour that he has been formally indicted in the murders of Darnell Donerson, 57, Jason Hudson, 29, and Julian King, 7, the mother, brother, and nephew of actress/singer Jennifer Hudson. Balfour was informed of the indictment at a court appearance this morning. Balfour was indicted on three counts of first degree murder as well as a count of home invasion. Thanks to the indictment, prosecutors don't have to present detailed evidence at a preliminary hearing. more ›