Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Due to the damaged credibility of U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ office, U.S. District Judge April Perry said prosecutors need to testify under oath in the tainted “Broadview Six” case.
🗞️ Plus: A new report on the projected effects of data centers, early voting begins and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Blackhawks fell to the Mammoth, 6-0.
⛅ Today’s weather: Partly sunny with a high near 63.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎
Judge for ‘Broadview 6′ trials wants to put prosecutors under oath
Reporting by Jon Seidel and Sophie Sherry
A matter of distrust: U.S. District Judge April Perry concluded during a hearing Thursday that further under oath fact-finding is needed in the tainted “Broadview Six” case, leaving open the possibility that she’ll name a special prosecutor to investigate U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros and others. It was a notable turn-the-tables moment that underscores the damage done to the feds’ credibility.
Key context: The “Broadview Six” case revolved around a crowded 2025 protest outside an immigration holding facility where six protesters with ties to local Democratic politics were charged. All charges were eventually dropped. The case collapsed after Perry discovered apparent misconduct, including a federal prosecutor allegedly speaking improperly with grand jurors.
Credibility crisis: One year ago this week, Boutros’ office began to level various Midway Blitz-related charges against defendants, only to see them mostly collapse without convictions. Now, multiple judges have wondered aloud whether they can trust his office in the wake of the “Broadview Six” revelations. And Perry’s refusal to shoot down the idea of a special prosecutor means the specter of a criminal prosecution still hangs over his head and others.
ELECTIONS ☑️
Early voting kicks off for midterm election
Reporting by Cindy Hernandez and Violet Miller
Polls are open: Thursday marked the first day of early voting in Chicago for the 2026 general election. Two sites are open now: the Chicago Voting Supersite on State Street in the Loop, and the Chicago Board of Elections office on Washington Street. Early voting expands to all 50 wards on Oct. 19.
Key dates: Oct. 18 is the last day for online voter registration. Early voting expands citywide the next day, with polling places in all 50 wards. Oct. 29 is the last day to apply to vote by mail. Nov. 3 is General Election Day — polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On the ballot: For the first time, voters will elect the entire Chicago School Board, including its president. The ballot will also feature races for U.S. Senate; Congress, Illinois governor, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer and secretary of state, and the Illinois General Assembly, along with Cook County races, including board president and county commissioners.
LET’S HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️
Do you plan to vote in the midterms? What’s an issue that will be on your mind?
Reply to this question via email (please include your first and last name and neighborhood. We may run your answer in a future Morning Edition newsletter or story).
DATA CENTERS ⚡
Data centers could bring boost in jobs, tax revenues — and bills
Reporting by Mawa Iqbal
New report: Data center projects planned in Illinois over the next decade could generate tens of thousands of new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenues, but also drive up utility bills, according to a report from the labor-backed think tank Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois.
Zooming in: The state is expecting $57 billion worth of new data center projects through 2035, which the report found could create 121,000 mostly temporary skilled trade and construction jobs. Local municipalities could see nearly $300 million more in annual property tax revenues if those projects happen. Residents could have to pay $12 more per month in electric bills.
Proposed mitigations: The study’s authors have offered 10 state policy recommendations, which include the state barring utilities from raising rates by more than 5% per year and encouraging data centers to capture the heat emitted from the centers and send it to neighboring homes and businesses.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️
- Video of police shooting: Oversight officials have released footage that shows Chicago police officers shooting a man with a knife at a River North hotel last year. The man, Demond Williams, has since died, officials said.
- 4th suspect charged in murder: A 15-year-old is among the suspects charged in the murder of Kyle Bickham, who was pushed off a moving train.
- Settlement proposed: Mayor Brandon Johnson is proposing a $260.8 million global settlement to resolve 16 police misconduct lawsuits and compensate 17 plaintiffs framed for murders by corrupt former Chicago police Detective Reynaldo Guevara.
- Man sentenced after dodging child support: Evan Musikantow was sentenced to two years in federal prison — the maximum possible punishment under a rarely used law targeting parents who dodge paying child support.
- Nonprofits sue Trump: Ten nonprofits filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for attempting to claw back funding allocated for housing counseling services.
- AIA Chicago’s Designight: Jeanne Gang and a North Lawndale community garden were among the honorees at the awards ceremony known as the Oscars of Chicago architecture.
- South Side theater could be repaired: The now-closed Avalon Regal Theater is in line for a $249,500 grant, the city announced.
- Things to do Oct. 2-7: John Prine’s 80th commemorations, the Freedom Riders jazz collective and Boo! at the Zoo are among the highlights in the week ahead.
ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻
In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.
- Weekly news recap: WBEZ’s Sarah Karp and Better Government Association’s David Greising break down the week’s top stories.
Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.
- Meet Cutes: What’s your rom-com meet-cute moment? Guest Bela Gandhi of Smart Dating Academy — and callers — weigh in.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭
Today’s clue: 2D: Clark St. venue once called Stages Music Hall
FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚾🏈🏒🏀
- Sox ready for showdown: With their regular-season battle unresolved, the White Sox will face the Guardians Saturday.
- NFL head visits Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bears minority owner Pat Ryan and the top legislative leaders for more Bears stadium talks.
- On thin ice?: The Blackhawks are already facing adversity after getting humiliated in their second game of the season.
- Training camp observations: The Bulls and Caleb Wilson are getting defensive in the first week of training camp.
- Forward Marsh: The Sky are set to bring back coach Tyler Marsh for his third season.
- Northwestern’s big night: The Wildcats will take on Penn State Friday at their new Ryan Field. The Sun-Times’ Steve Greenberg weighs in on the moment.
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
South Shore mother-son story becomes movie
Reporting by Dorothy Hernandez
It was an unbelievable story that seemed like it was the plot of a movie — and now it is.
“Give Me Some Sugah,” a film about the story of a son looking for his long-lost biological mom(spoiler: he did), is set to premiere Dec. 16 on Netflix.
The movie stars Taraji P. Henson as Lenore Lindsey, the owner of South Shore bakery Give Me Some Sugah. Though it was mostly filmed in Atlanta, a few scenes were shot in Chicago last December, and feature cameos from Lindsey herself and her son Vamarr Hunter.
The Sun-Times met Lindsey and Hunter in 2024. Lindsey’s bakery had been a South Shore staple and Hunter a frequent customer. Hunter, then 35, learned he was adopted, and a genealogist helped him find his mother — who turned out to own the bakery.
As they spent more time together, the two worked side by side at the bakery, which Hunter took over in 2024.
“It’s like your life came full circle,” Lindsey told the Sun-Times in 2024.
PICTURE CHICAGO 📸
Lake View football players dive into puddles after winning a game against Von Steuben, after five overtimes, at Lane Stadium on Thursday.
Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times
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Editor: Michael Lansu
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