Six people are accused of staging fake robberies at various restaurants and businesses in and around Chicago in an effort to help make the purported “victims” eligible for U.S. visas.
Stories by Matt Masterson
Chicago Tribune Journalists Suing Newspaper Over Alleged Pay Discrimination
The journalists filed a class-action lawsuit against the Chicago Tribune, the Tribune Publishing Company and Alden Global Capital, alleging they’ve faced pay discrimination based on gender, race and ethnicity as a result of the defendants’ “centralized policies and practices.”
Illinois Moving Back to ACT as Required Exam for High School Graduation
The Illinois State Board of Education on Wednesday awarded a six-year, $53 million contract to the ACT, Inc. organization, meaning high schoolers statewide will shift back to the ACT after taking SAT exams for most of the past decade.
Former Augusta National Employee Pleads Guilty in Chicago to Stealing $5M Worth of Masters Items — Including Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan Green Jackets
Green jackets belonging to golf legends Arnold Palmer and Ben Hogan were among the millions of dollars worth of memorabilia and items a former Augusta National Golf Club employee has admitted to stealing.
CPS Details New Safety Plan as District Prepares to Remove Resource Officers From Schools
As Chicago Public Schools moves to fully remove police officers from its buildings, education officials are planning a phased-in approach to its new school safety plans.
‘There’s a Lot of Unevenness’: Chicago’s Youth Joblessness Rates Outpace Illinois and US, New Report Finds
Employment levels in Chicago and beyond have rebounded since the COVID-19 pandemic, but a new report has found teens and young adults across the city, particularly those of color, are still struggling to find consistent work.
Ex-Loretto Hospital Official Charged in $500K Embezzlement Scheme During COVID-19 Pandemic
Heather Bergdahl faces federal charges after she allegedly worked to steal from Loretto Hospital by sending nearly half a million dollars to businesses that never provided the hospital with goods or services.
Police: 5 People Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago
A 23-year-old woman fatally shot inside a South Side home was among four people killed by gunfire across Chicago over the weekend, according to Chicago Police Department figures.
City Announces Additional Entries, New Starting Point for Chicago Pride Parade
Pride Parade supporters had reportedly called on Mayor Brandon Johnson to rescind plans to cut the number of parade entries down from nearly 200 last year to 125 this year due to safety and logistical concerns.
Arrest Made After Illinois State Capitol Bomb Threat
Illinois State Police on Friday announced that Gabrielle Williams, 23, had been taken into custody and is currently being held in the Sangamon County Jail pending a pre-trial detention hearing.
The Northwestern Hazing Scandal: A Timeline of Allegations, Investigations and Lawsuits
Examining the rapidly unfolding hazing scandal that led to the firing of Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald and threw the university into turmoil.
Northwestern Facing 3 New Lawsuits Stemming From Football Hazing Scandal as Ex-Player Claims Coaches Knew of Alleged Abuse
Former linebacker Nathan Fox claims he was hazed repeatedly during his time with the university’s football program, and that in at least one instance, the team’s coaches watched and laughed as it happened.
Cook County Prosecutors Looking to Add New Specialist Role Amid Growing Number of Hate Crime Reports
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office announced it is adding a new position — hate crimes specialist — in response to the “growing need to address hate crimes amid a challenging global climate.”
‘I Felt More Alone Than Ever’: Former Juvenile Detainees Speak Out After New Lawsuit Alleges Decades of Sex Abuse in Illinois Youth Centers
The alleged sexual abuse in these cases occurred between 1996 and 2017 and the victims were all minors — some as young as 12 — when the alleged abuse occurred, according to the complaint.
New Lawsuit Claims Dozens of Juveniles Subjected to Sexual Abuse in Illinois Detention Centers
Nearly 100 people are claiming in a new lawsuit that they were subjected to sexual abuse and assault as the hands of correctional officers and staffers at facilities in Chicago and across the state.
7 People Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police
According to Chicago Police Department figures, 31 people were shot in 24 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
After Manhunt, 22-Year-Old Charged in Killing of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca
Chicago police officials on Friday officially announced charges against 22-year-old Xavier Tate Jr., who now faces counts of first-degree murder, aggravated vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen firearm.
Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca
Law enforcement officers have arrested the suspect accused of killing Chicago police Officer Luis Huesca.
Reproductive Rights Advocates Suing Chicago After Permit to March During DNC Rejected
Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws claiming the city has relied on its “constitutionally defective” parade permit ordinance to summarily deny permits that would allow groups to march during the convention.
A 10-Year-Old Girl Was Killed in Collision With Vehicle Fleeing Police. Her Family Now Wants to Use Deposition of Ex-Mayor Lightfoot at Trial
Attorneys for the family of Da’Karia Spicer, 10, killed in a 2020 traffic crash are seeking to make public their deposition of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who a day after the accident said she didn’t believe a police vehicle pursuit had led to the girl’s death.
Bargaining Underway as CPS, CTU Work Toward New Teachers Contract
Officials from the union and Chicago Public Schools began talks this week as the sides work to secure the first new teachers contract since former CTU organizer and educator Brandon Johnson was elected mayor.
‘He Was a Great Man’: Slain Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca Remembered, Celebrated During Funeral
“Luis left a great impression on not only everyone sitting here, especially his team, but he’s leaving an impression on the entire country,” Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said.
Northwestern to Allow ‘Peaceful Demonstrations’ on Campus After Reaching Agreement With Protesters
Protests began on the Evanston campus and at universities across the country in recent weeks amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Officials Announce $100K in Rewards for Information Leading to Arrest of Suspect in Officer Luis Huesca's Killing
The Chicago Police Department over the weekend announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for 22-year-old Xavier L. Tate Jr., who is being sought in connection with Huesca’s death.
2 People Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police
According to Chicago Police Department data, 16 people were shot between Friday evening and Sunday night.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds R. Kelly’s Child Pornography Convictions From Chicago Trial
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday rejected the R&B singer’s claim that the statute of limitations had passed and instead affirmed his convictions, stating that “(f)or years, Robert Sylvester Kelly abused underage girls.”
