Stories by Associated Press

Records: 75 Percent of Revoked Illinois Gun Licenses Ignored

Police say that of the people who received gun license revocations last year in Illinois, more than 75 percent ignored the notices.

‘Empire’ Producers Cut Smollett from Season’s Last Episodes

The producers of the TV show “Empire” say Jussie Smollett’s character will be removed from the final two episodes of this season.

Prosecutor: Jussie Smollett Gave Detailed Instructions for Fake Attack

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett walked out of the Cook County jail on Thursday about two hours after a hearing in which the judge set his bond at $100,000.

Lawyer Likens R. Kelly to Beethoven to Explain Studio Move

R&B singer R. Kelly is moving out of his Chicago recording studio because a judge has stymied his creativity by barring him from working there overnight due to building-code violations, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Chicago Police Arrest ‘Empire’ Actor Jussie Smollett

Facing accusations that he filed a false police report when he told authorities he was attacked by two men who hurled racist and anti-gay slurs, “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett turned himself in early Thursday.

Kim Foxx Recuses Herself from Jussie Smollett Case

Chicago's top prosecutor recused herself from the investigation into the attack reported by “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett shortly after police requested another interview with the actor.

Judge OKs Suit Aimed at Halting Obama Library in Chicago

A judge gives the green light to a lawsuit filed by a parks-advocacy group that aims to stop for good the delayed construction of former President Barack Obama’s $500 million presidential center in Jackson Park.

Tom Ricketts Apologizes for Distraction of Father’s Emails

“The emails that were in there were unacceptable and had no place. My father has no direct role or economic interest in the team. That doesn’t represent what this organization is,” Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said.

Aurora Warehouse Where 5 Killed Won’t Reopen Until Next Week

The Henry Pratt Co. facility will be open to any employees who want to spend time with colleagues and counselors will be available, spokeswoman Yolanda Kokayi said.

Aurora Shooter’s Permit Was Revoked But Gun Wasn’t Seized

An initial background check failed to detect a felony conviction that should have barred the man who killed five co-workers and wounded six other people at a suburban Chicago manufacturing plant from buying the gun.

Chicago Police Seek Follow-Up Interview with Jussie Smollett

Chicago police said Sunday they’re still seeking a follow-up interview with Jussie Smollett after receiving new information that “shifted” their investigation of a reported attack on the “Empire” actor.

Officials: 5 Dead, 5 Police Wounded in Aurora Shooting

Police have identified the gunman who killed five people at a suburban Chicago business and shot and wounded five police officers.

Chicago Police: 2 Questioned in Smollett Attack Are Suspects

Two men characterized by police as “persons of interest” in the attack against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett have been arrested on “probable cause that they may have committed a crime,” a Chicago police spokesman said Friday.

Chicago Police, Fox Dispute Reports About Smollett Attack

Chicago police say local media reports that allege the attack against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was a hoax are unconfirmed.

Illinois Set to Hike Minimum Wage to $15, Highest in Midwest

Illinois legislators moved quickly Thursday to deliver one of new Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s top campaign promises, a gradual hike in the statewide minimum wage from $8.25 to $15 an hour.

Lawsuit Means Chicago Obama Library Plan No Sure Thing

Odds may still favor the eventual construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, but it’s no longer a sure thing in the face of a formidable legal challenge by a parks advocacy group.

Police Questioning ‘Persons of Interest’ in Smollett Case

Detectives are interviewing two “persons of interest” who surveillance photos show were in the area of downtown Chicago where “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett said he was attacked last month, police said Thursday.

Theo Epstein: Joe Ricketts Emails Don’t Reflect Cubs’ Values

“The emails were upsetting to read, and especially upsetting to think that some of our fans were put into a position where they had to consider their favorite team and some of those types of views,” Theo Epstein said Tuesday.

Smollett Says He Redacted Phone Files to Protect Privacy

Actor Jussie Smollett says he redacted some information from his phone before giving it to Chicago police investigating a reported attack on the “Empire” actor in order to protect the privacy of contacts and people who are not relevant to the attack.

Analysis: $15 Minimum Wage No Windfall for Illinois Workers

Illinois is poised to join Washington, D.C., and at least four other states with a $15-an-hour minimum by 2025, an 82-percent spike in current base pay. But it may not be the momentous impact on low-wage workers that some supporters expected.

Man Accused in Orland Park Mall Slaying Charged with Murder

Authorities say Jakharr Williams was indicted last week by a grand jury on murder, attempted murder, battery and other charges stemming from the Jan. 21 fatal shooting at Orland Square Mall.

Judge: R. Kelly Can Spend More Time in Recording Studio

A judge who last month ruled that R. Kelly could only enter the Chicago warehouse he uses as a recording studio between 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. now says he can stay until 9 p.m.

Bankruptcy Judge Gives Sears Another Chance, OKs $5.2B Plan

A bankruptcy judge has blessed a $5.2 billion plan by Sears chairman and biggest shareholder Eddie Lampert to keep the iconic business going. The approval means roughly 425 stores and 45,000 jobs will be preserved.

Illinois Senate Backs $15 Hourly Minimum Wage Within 6 Years

The Illinois Senate voted Thursday to hike the statewide minimum wage to $15 an hour within six years, quickly advancing a top campaign promise of newly elected Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Bloody Handprint Among Evidence in Chinese Scholar’s Case

Prosecutors are building a case, partly on a bloody handprint and the responses of a cadaver-sniffing dog, that a former University of Illinois physics student killed a 26-year-old Chinese scholar in 2017 at his off-campus apartment.

Smollett Told Police Attackers Knew He Was on ‘Empire’

“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett told Chicago police that his attackers seemed to know who he was before they beat him and tied a rope around his neck.
 

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