Stories by Matt Masterson
4 Reconstructed CTA Red Line Stops in Uptown, Edgewater Set to Open Next Month
| Matt Masterson
The stations, located at Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn and Bryn Mawr, will open to the public beginning July 20. City officials said this will mark the largest simultaneous opening of stations since the Orange Line opened in 1993.
US Reps. Denied Entry at South Loop ICE Facility as Trump Calls for More Deportations in Chicago
| Matt Masterson
U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Jonathan Jackson attempted to enter the immigration facility, located at 2245 S. Michigan Ave., but said they were only able to make it into the lobby before being told to leave by a person identifying themselves as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
Ex-Dolton Employee Files Motion to Prevent Village From Acquiring Pope Leo XIV’s Former Home
| Matt Masterson
A former Dolton employee is seeking to halt the village’s purchase of the pope’s former home, claiming such a move would be “financially irresponsible” as the village is in “severe financial distress.”
Downtown Road Closures for 2025 NASCAR Chicago Street Race to Begin Thursday
| Matt Masterson
The 2025 edition of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race is still more than two weeks away, but road closures and traffic disruptions are scheduled to begin Thursday morning.
Federal Prosecutors Call R. Kelly’s Claims of a Murder Plot Targeting Him a ‘Fanciful Conspiracy’
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors in Chicago filed a motion strenuously objecting to Kelly’s request for release and disputing the “fantastic allegations” in the disgraced singer’s motion.
Ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison After Conviction in Landmark Corruption Case
| Matt Masterson
U.S. District Judge John Blakey handed down the sentence Friday, four months after the former Illinois House speaker was convicted of 10 felony corruption charges.
Illinois Health Officials Call RFK Jr.’s Removal of Vaccine Advisory Committee Members ‘Deeply Concerning’
| Matt Masterson
The Illinois Department of Public Health this week issued a statement after Kennedy removed all volunteer members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Mayoral Education Adviser Macquline King Named Interim CPS CEO
| Matt Masterson
The board on Wednesday voted to approve Macquline King, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s senior director of education policy and a former CPS principal, as Chicago Public Schools’ interim CEO.
Judge Rejects Michael Madigan’s Motion for Acquittal as Ex-Speaker’s Corruption Case Heads Toward Sentencing This Week
| Matt Masterson
U.S. District Judge John Blakey rejected Michael Madigan’s motion for acquittal or a new trial, setting the stage for Madigan’s sentencing to go ahead Friday.
R. Kelly, Claiming Life is in Danger From Prison Officials, Asks for Release From Custody
| Matt Masterson
R. Kelly was convicted in two separate trials — one in New York, another in Chicago — of racketeering conspiracy and child pornography charges.
Chicago Police Officer Fatally Shot Following Investigatory Stop in Chatham
| Matt Masterson
The officer, a 36-year-old woman and mother of a young daughter, was killed during a foot pursuit, according to Police Superintendent Larry Snelling.
‘Unhealthy’ Air Quality Alert in Chicago Extended Through Friday Night, as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Lingers
| Matt Masterson
Illinois environmental officials are warning residents about air quality concerns as wildfire smoke from Canada persists in Chicago through Friday.
Chicago White Sox Announce Deal Allowing Owner Jerry Reinsdorf to Sell Future Control of Team
| Matt Masterson
The team on Thursday announced what they called “a long-term investment agreement” between the two men which creates a framework for billionaire Justin Ishbia to obtain a future controlling interest of the South Side franchise.
Federal Prosecutors Expanding Violence Prevention Initiative to Downtown Chicago, All CTA Train Lines
| Matt Masterson
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois on Wednesday announced the expansion of its Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which combines the efforts of federal, state and local authorities to help stem violent crime.
Chicago Sees Fewest Homicides in Any May Since 2011: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, there were 36 homicides recorded throughout May 2025, a total that’s down 38% compared to the same month last year and down nearly 50% compared to May 2023.
Chicago’s Gun Offender Registry ‘Incomplete and Unreliable,’ City Watchdog Finds
| Matt Masterson
Chicago’s Office of Inspector General published a new report that found numerous issues with the city’s Gun Offender Registration Ordinance, which requires anyone convicted of certain firearm-related charges to register during their release from custody or sentencing.
FBI Offers Reward for Information After Man Allegedly Robbed 2 Chicago Banks Monday
| Matt Masterson
According to authorities, the unknown male suspect robbed a Huntington Bank located in the 1400 block of West Fullerton Avenue just after 9:30 a.m., then robbed a Fifth Third Bank in the 5900 block of North Broadway around noon.
Feds Seek 12.5-Year Prison Sentence for Ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan After Corruption Convictions
| Matt Masterson
The government on Friday filed its sentencing memorandum, arguing that it is “just and warranted” to sentence Madigan to 12.5 years in prison and hit him with a $1.5 million fine.
CPS Renews Urban Prep Charter Schools Contract After District Previously Sought to Take Over Schools
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Board of Education on Thursday approved a new two-year charter renewal for Urban Prep Charter Academy, which operates a pair of South Side high schools predominantly serving Black male students.
‘The Experience of a Lifetime’: CPS CEO Pedro Martinez Reflects on Tenure as He’s Set to Leave School District
| Matt Masterson
Martinez on Thursday reflected on his time as Chicago’s schools chief during what will be his final monthly meeting of the Board of Education before he exits to take over as Massachusetts’ next school board commissioner.
Former Chicago Gangster Disciple Leader Larry Hoover Gets Commutation From Donald Trump
| Matt Masterson
President Donald Trump has commuted the sentence of Larry Hoover, a former Chicago gang leader serving a life sentence at a supermax prison in Colorado.
CTA Paid Some Employees $1M for Remote Work They Could Not Complete, Watchdog Report Finds
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Transit Authority has paid out more than $1 million over the past five years to vault operations employees for remote work, despite the fact that their work cannot be done remotely, a new watchdog report has found.
3 People Killed, 24 Shot Across Chicago Over Memorial Day Weekend, Well Below Other Recent Years: Police
| Matt Masterson
Three people were killed in shootings across Chicago during the extended Memorial Day weekend, making it one of the least deadly holiday weekends in the city in recent years.
Jussie Smollett Agrees to Make $50K Charitable Donation to Resolve City of Chicago Lawsuit
| Matt Masterson
On Thursday, the city announced its case will be dismissed in exchange for Smollett making a charitable contribution of $50,000 to BBF Building Brighter Futures Center for the Arts.
Northwestern Receives Anonymous Donation to Expand Jewish Studies Amid Federal Antisemitism Investigation
| Matt Masterson
Northwestern President Michael Schill said the funding will be used to help promote “greater understanding around complex issues that fosters informed, respectful dialogue among students of all backgrounds.”
Mother Accused of Stabbing 7-Year-Old Son in Rogers Park Home
| Matt Masterson
Llovana Torres, 26, has been charged with one count of aggravated battery to a victim under the age of 13. A judge on Monday ordered that she be detained in Cook County Jail pending trial.
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