* Press release…

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statement on Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros:

“Andrew Boutros’s time as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois has been riddled with chaos, deep internal dysfunction, and alleged misconduct. He must resign, and there must be an open, transparent, and nonpartisan search to nominate the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.”

* Tribune…

The demand is the latest fallout from the collapse of the “Broadview Six” case, which fell apart on the eve of trial last month over stunning accusations of misconduct by federal prosecutors in the grand jury and an attempt to hide it from the judge presiding over the case.

The senators’ statement also comes as Boutros fights a different controversy that drew national attention last week after it was revealed his office is leading a criminal investigation into a Chicago-based nonprofit that partially funded legal fees for E. Jean Carroll, the magazine columnist who successfully sued President Donald Trump for sexual assault and defamation. In a carefully worded statement, Boutros said last week reports of any investigation targeting Carroll were “categorically false.”

As the scandal has widened, morale within the already-beleaguered U.S. attorney’s office has gone into free fall. Several prosecutors who played a role in the Broadview Six case have hired attorneys, judges have signaled possible hearings and speculation is running rampant about who might face consequences. […]

In his first year in office, Boutros has been forced to deal with multiple crises under the new Trump administration, including a hiring freeze, federal budget cuts, a lengthy government shutdown and a mass exodus of experienced prosecutors from the office.

Gee, I wonder what could have possibly caused experienced prosecutors to leave en masse?

* Sun-Times…

Then-Attorney General Pam Bondi temporarily appointed Boutros to his job in April 2025. But when that appointment expired last summer, Chicago’s federal judges chose Boutros to serve on a more permanent basis. […]

The Illinois senators join Democratic Senate nominee Juliana Stratton and 9th Congressional District candidate Daniel Biss in calling for Boutros to resign following the dismissal of charges against the remaining members of the “Broadview Six” last month.

Stratton, Illinois’ lieutenant governor and a Democratic Senate nominee, last week told the Sun-Times Boutros had undermined the credibility of his office and should resign or be fired.

…Adding… The Tribune’s Jason Meisner…