The surge of crime and violence that peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic but has yet to recede has imperiled Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s bid for a second term, even as the eight major candidates running to unseat her offer wildly different solutions to the seemingly intractable problem.

Students and community members rallied Monday calling for solutions to the city’s gun violence, which has recently come to the doorstep of schools like Juarez. The shooting also sheds light on the debate over police officers in schools, who are known as school resource officers. 

Federal investigators allegedly identified Agnieszka Chwiesiuk in photos and videos from inside the Capitol building during the riot. According to the feds, she can be seen alongside her brother, Karol Chwiesiuk, a CPD officer who is facing five misdemeanor charges stemming from his own alleged involvement in the riot.

R. Kelly’s onetime manager was sentenced Monday to a year in federal prison for calling in a shooting threat that halted a screening of a damning documentary about the R&B star.

According to Chicago Police Department data, there were 12 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. No one was killed during that time frame, but a 16-year-old girl was fatally shot just before 6 p.m. Friday.

The Chicago Police Department reports 661 murders occurred as of Dec. 10, 2022, down 15% from 2021 when the tally was 776. Overall shootings are also reported as down by about 20% from 2021 numbers, from 3,399 to 2,718. 

Robert Crimo Jr., 58, looked somber and tired in his first appearance before a judge since voluntarily surrendering to police Friday. His lawyer told the judge Saturday that the father of three would be able to pay the required bond amount for his release.

The shooting occurred Friday as classes were being dismissed according to Police Superintendent David Brown.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced Robert Crimo Jr. — the father of Robert Crimo III — was arrested Friday and charged with seven counts of reckless conduct.

Chicago police have again improved their compliance levels on court-mandated reforms under the consent decree, but the independent monitor tracking the department’s progress says it must “significantly improve” its partnerships with community residents.

A federal lawsuit brought Thursday by two Black homeowners caught up in the Cook County propoerty tax sale system on behalf of themselves and everyone else who alleges the process violates the constitution and both federal and civil rights laws.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday released surveillance videos from the Nov. 1 shooting, which occurred during an alleged robbery in progress in the 1800 block of North Monticello Avenue.

Chicago police announced the student has been charged with felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon and threat to a school building. He was also cited for possessing a high capacity magazine and metal piercing bullets.

A recent investigation by Injustice Watch found that the Chicago Police Department has prevented undocumented immigrants who are victims of crimes from qualifying to apply for temporary status. 

Jamel Danzy, 40, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to straw purchase the semi-automatic handgun that was used to kill Ella French and critically wound her partner Officer Carlos Yanez in August 2021.

Chicago taxpayers will pay $1.2 million to settle three lawsuits claiming Chicago police officers committed a wide range of misconduct, including handcuffing an 8-year-old boy for more than 40 minutes during a raid of his family’s home.