Jason Meisner
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Jason Meisner
@jmetr22b.bsky.social
1.7K followers 37 following 49 posts
Chicago Tribune reporter covering the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse and criminal justice issues in Chicago.
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 2h
Martinez’s attorney filed a response today blasting the government’s “Karate Kid wax on, wax off narrative” as self-serving.
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 3h
Hearing over allegedly inhumane conditions at 'black site' Broadview facility underway.
Judge Gettleman says it's clear that some of the conditions there are "disgusting" and unconstitutional, including people sleeping on the floor next to overflowing toilets.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/b...
Hearing over allegedly inhumane conditions at ‘black site’ Broadview facility underway
Detainees are held in harrowing conditions at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Broadview, which is operating like a “black site” where people are little …
www.chicagotribune.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 3h
NEW: Prosecutors say a Border Patrol mechanic in Maine attempted to “wipe off” some scuff marks but did no actual repairs on an immigration agent’s SUV after he shot a woman in Brighton Park last month. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/b...
Feds: Border Patrol vehicle tied to woman’s shooting in Brighton Park was buffed with a rag, not repaired
Prosecutors say a Border Patrol mechanic in Maine attempted to “wipe off” some scuff marks but did no actual repairs on an immigration agent’s SUV after he shot a woman in Brighto…
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 16h
Here is the Tribune’s report from that scene:

www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/31/c...
On Halloween, ‘state-sponsored terror’ in Chicago and the north suburbs
Despite pleas from Gov. JB Pritzker to pause federal immigration enforcement operations while children celebrate Halloween, Border Patrol agents tore through Chicago and the suburbs.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 16h
NEW: Attorneys file alleged TRO violations against immigration agents for a high-profile action in Evanston on Halloween, where agents allegedly slammed a man's head into the pavement and pointed a gun at unarmed protesters saying "step back or I'm going to shoot you”
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 1d
Man hospitalized after violent federal immigration arrest in Melrose Park, family says
A man was hospitalized and remains in federal custody after being arrested by immigration agents in suburban Melrose Park on Sunday morning, his family told the Tribune.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 1d
As bystanders yelled, “You hit her! We have it on video!” agents ignored the crowd and forced Dayanne Figueroa into a red minivan and drove away.
Her car was left behind in the middle of the road, her coffee still in the cup holder, and her keys in plain view.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
Chicago woman dragged out of her car after colliding with ICE demands accountability
The arrest of Dayanne Figueroa highlights growing concerns about the use of force against U.S. citizens and due process. She was released after a few hours without charges.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 1d
NEW: The deposition of Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino nearly ground to a halt last week as government lawyers repeatedly objected to questions by plaintiffs’ attorneys, including some about communications between Bovino and White House advisor Stephen Miller.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/b...
Deposition of Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino nearly ground to halt last week, records show
The deposition of Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino nearly ground to a halt last week as government lawyers repeatedly objected to questions by plaintiffs’ attorneys, court records show.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 6d
A ruling from the Supreme Court on whether President Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Illinois is likely at least three weeks away as the justices ask for more briefing on what constitutes the "regular army"
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/29/n...
No ruling imminent as Supreme Court asks for more briefing in Illinois National Guard deployment case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday asked for more briefing in the ongoing fight over President Trump’s ability to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, signaling that the court’s h…
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 6d
Six Broadview protesters indicted on charges of assaulting/impeding a federal immigration agent, including congressional candidate Katherine 'Kat' Abughazaleh, a Cook County Board candidate and an Oak Park trustee www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/29/i...
Six Broadview protesters indicted, including congressional candidate Katherine ‘Kat’ Abughazaleh
A federal grand jury has indicted six protesters including two political candidates for allegedly blocking an ICE agent’s vehicle while he was driving into Broadview last month, according to …
www.chicagotribune.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 15d
A federal judge in Chicago is set to grill a pair of immigration officials this morning about “Operation Midway Blitz” tactics that allegedly violate her restraining order
“I don’t want anyone to get up there and say, ‘I don’t know,’ or ‘Not my responsibility’” www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/20/f...
Federal judge to quiz immigration officials over ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ tactics
A federal judge in Chicago is set to grill a pair of immigration officials Monday about law enforcement tactics employed during the Trump administration’s ongoing “Operation Midway Blit…
www.chicagotribune.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 16d
Archie Collins went to sleep the night of the raid like he often does: on the floor and hungry. He had no gas for his stove. No electricity, except for that provided by an extension cord from a neighboring unit.
Powerful story on the South Shore federal raid: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/19/i...
They were already living in one of Chicago’s worst apartment buildings. Then came the ICE raid.
In what appears to have been a warrantless operation, the federal government will not say how many people were detained, who remains in custody and what happened to the children.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 17d
The federal court whiplash continues Friday as the Trump administration asks U.S. Supreme Court to step in and allow deployment of 700 National Guard troops in the Chicago area while its appeal is pending
Our story here: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/t...
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow deployment of National Guard in Chicago area
The Trump administration on Friday asked the Supreme Court to allow the deployment of National Guard troops in the Chicago area, escalating President Donald Trump’s conflict with Democratic governo…
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 19d
///BREAKING/// Saying "political opposition is not rebellion," a Chicago appeals court has ruled "the facts do not justify the President's actions in Illinois, leaving intact a judge's order barring National Guard deployment while the case is on appeal.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/a...
‘Political opposition is not rebellion’: Chicago appeals court leaves judge’s order barring National Guard deployment intact
Saying “political opposition is not rebellion,” a federal appeals court in Chicago on Thursday denied the Trump administration’s request for an emergency stay of a district judge’s orde…
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 19d
In today's "news of the weird" out of Chicago's federal court, we learned the Immigration agent who shot a woman in Brighton Park was allowed to drive his allegedly rammed vehicle back to Maine, before the defense could inspect it
Story: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/a...
Immigration agent who shot Chicago woman drove ‘rammed’ vehicle to Maine, attorneys reveal
The immigration agent who shot a woman earlier this month after she allegedly rammed his vehicle in Brighton Park was allowed by his supervisors to drive the government-issued SUV back to Maine bef…
www.chicagotribune.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 19d
"I’m not blind, right?…I’m getting images and seeing images on the news, in the paper, reading reports where I’m having concerns about my order being followed.”
Judge orders ICE field director to address use of tear gas, wants agents to turn on body cams www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/16/j...
‘Concerned’ judge orders ICE field director to address use of tear gas, wants agents to turn on body cams
A federal judge in Chicago on Thursday said she is “profoundly concerned” that immigration agents are violating her orders restricting the use of tear gas on media and protesters.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 25d
x.com/jmetr22b/sta...
Jason Meisner on X: "The federal court slaps keep coming for the Trump administration, which must now take down the security fence around the ICE facility in Broadview, per this judge’s order tonight https://t.co/AfgX1kwct1" / X
The federal court slaps keep coming for the Trump administration, which must now take down the security fence around the ICE facility in Broadview, per this judge’s order tonight https://t.co/AfgX1kwct1
x.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · 26d
"Case replete with evidence of bad faith": Emotional arguments cap federal hearing on barring National Guard deployment
The judge seems ready to rule at 4:30 p.m.
Our updated story: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/09/t...
‘Case replete with evidence of bad faith’: Emotional arguments cap federal hearing on barring National Guard deployment
Arguments in federal court over an emergency restraining order that would bar a National Guard deployment began Thursday with lawyers sparring over what constitutes a “rebellion” that such troops m…
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Sep 12
UPDATE: The man fatally shot by an ICE agent during an traffic stop in Franklin Park this morning has bene identified as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, 38.
DHS says he is in the U.S. illegally and was targeted for arrest due to a history of reckless driving www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/12/i...
ICE agents fatally shoot man after traffic stop in Franklin Park
A federal immigration agent fatally shot a man in northwest suburban Franklin Park Friday morning after the agency says the man tried to flee a traffic stop and struck the officer with his vehicle.
www.chicagotribune.com
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Reposted by Jason Meisner
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john-byrne.bsky.social @john-byrne.bsky.social · Sep 11
Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop, @jake-sheridan.bsky.social and @jmetr22b.bsky.social w the details. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/11/m...
Mayor Brandon Johnson seeks $90 million in settlement of suits tied to corrupt cop
The first-of-its-kind deal, first uncovered by the Tribune in federal court records, would settle all outstanding wrongful conviction cases involving Sgt. Ronald Watts.
www.chicagotribune.com
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Reposted by Jason Meisner
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Michael Hawthorne @scribeguy.bsky.social · Aug 12
"A wired-up executive entertaining politicos at his suburban cigar lounge, secret contracts siphoning funds from red-light cameras to a mob-connected businessman, and another mayor ... handing over an envelope of bribe money at a Crestwood pancake house called Stacked." @jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jeffrey Tobolski, ex-McCook mayor, called ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ by judge who sentences him to 4 years in prison in corruption case
Five years after pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate in a federal investigation, onetime McCook Mayor Jeffrey Tobolski was sentenced at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse.
www.chicagotribune.com
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jul 14
“It takes courage to speak up, to say no in the face of power like Mr. Madigan’s,” a judge told ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker today. “It’s easy to say yes when you have the talent and the wherewithal to play within the corrupt system."
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/14/j...
Ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison for scheme to bribe ex-Speaker Michael Madigan
Federal judge tells longtime insider it was ‘imperative to wipe away the notion’ that his actions were merely lobbying a public official.
www.chicagotribune.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jun 17
I’ll take it!
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jmetr22b.bsky.social
Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · Jun 14
Michael J. Madigan spent decades as speaker of the Illinois House, but when he strode to the lectern in a packed federal courtroom on Friday he seemed almost unsure of what to say. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/13/m...
Ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan sentenced to 7 1/2 years in prison after judge excoriates him for lying on witness stand
Former House Speaker Michael J. Madigan was sentenced Friday to 7 1/2 years in prison in his corruption case, capping a stunning fall for the once powerful politician.
www.chicagotribune.com
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Jason Meisner @jmetr22b.bsky.social · May 23
Chicago-born Elias Rodriguez, a UIC grad and son of an Iraq war veteran who railed against Israel’s attacks on Gaza, is now facing a potential death sentence in the fatal shootings of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington DC.
Our final report here: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/05/22/a...
‘This was an act of cowardice’: Charges filed against Chicago man in the fatal shooting near DC Jewish museum
A Chicago man who railed on social media against the ongoing bombing of Gaza fatally shot two members of the Israeli Embassy near the Jewish museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday before allegedly…
www.chicagotribune.com
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