Charles Cui filed a renewed motion to sever Friday in which he claimed that jurors could become “confused” and consider Cui to have been part of a conspiracy that is only alleged to have involved Burke and co-defendant Peter Andrews.
Stories by Matt Masterson
Ed Burke Co-Defendant Seeking to Sever His Trial From Ex-Alderperson’s
Sep 22, 2023 | Matt Masterson
9 Armed Robberies Reported in the Span of an Hour Overnight Across Chicago’s North Side
Sep 21, 2023 | Matt Masterson
According to the Chicago Police Department, there were nine separate armed robberies reported between 12:50 a.m. and 2 a.m. Thursday morning. In each incident, victims were approached by multiple armed males who took their belongings and then fled in a dark colored sedan.
Chicago Bears Defensive Coordinator Alan Williams Resigns
Sep 20, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The Bears confirmed Williams, 53, submitted his resignation Wednesday morning. He had been with the team since February 2022.
CPS Board Set to Approve Expanded Parental Leave Policy for Educators and Employees
Sep 20, 2023 | Matt Masterson
“Many educators have been pushing for this for a long time, particularly adoptive parents, so I’m glad that this is moving forward,” board member Elizabeth Todd-Breland said during Wednesday's agenda review committee meeting.
After Years of Decline, CPS Believes 2023-24 Enrollment Is ‘Relatively Consistent’ With Last Year
Sep 19, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Following years and years of declining enrollment, Chicago Public Schools officials believe the number of students currently attending district schools is in line with totals from the same time last year.
Suburban Chicago Man Convicted in 2006 Pipe Bomb Explosion at Hinsdale Train Station
Sep 19, 2023 | Matt Masterson
A federal jury in Chicago on Monday found 70-year-old Thomas James Zajac guilty on three charges stemming from the Sept. 1, 2006, bombing that injured one person.
A Look Inside Cook County Courtrooms on the Day Cash Bail Ends in Illinois
Sep 18, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Illinois officially became the first state in the country Monday to officially eliminate the pre-trial practice of requiring that some criminal defendants pay a set cash amount in order to secure their release from custody ahead of trial.
24 People Shot, But No Homicides Recorded Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
Sep 18, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Chicago Police Department data shows 24 people were shot in 20 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Cash Bail Officially Ends in Illinois Monday. Here’s What You Need to Know
Sep 15, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The long-anticipated elimination of cash bail officially takes effect in Illinois Monday, following extensive delays, legal challenges and pushback from critics who sought to keep the existing system in place.
Senate Judiciary Committee Recommends April Perry to Become Chicago’s First Female U.S. Attorney
Sep 14, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday voted 12-9 in favor of recommending April Perry to become the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. With the committee’s approval, she is now set for a final confirmation vote before the full Senate.
Behavioral Science-Based Police Training Program Led to Drops in Use of Force, Discretionary Arrests in Chicago: Study
Sep 13, 2023 | Matt Masterson
A new study from researchers at the University of Chicago Crime Lab has found a training program rooted in behavioral science can dramatically cut the number of use-of-force incidents committed by police while also increasing officer safety.
Trial Date For Alleged Highland Park Parade Gunman Expected to Be Set at December Hearing
Sep 11, 2023 | Matt Masterson
During a brief case management hearing Monday morning, Judge Victoria Rossetti said she intends to set a trial date for Robert Crimo III when he next appears in court Dec. 11.
5 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
Sep 11, 2023 | Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 26 people were shot in 21 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Staffer Accused of Inappropriate Contact With Minor Student Removed From Elementary School in Portage Park
Sep 8, 2023 | Matt Masterson
In a letter sent this week, Reinberg Elementary principal Edwin Loch informed parents and families that a staffer has been pulled from the school following an allegation that they “engaged inappropriately with a student.”
Chicago High School for the Arts Educators Avoid Strike After Reaching Tentative Contract Agreement
Sep 7, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The tentative agreement, announced late Wednesday, came just as educators at the city’s only privately managed, public arts high school were set to go on strike.
14 Chicago Public Schools Employees, Officials Connected to PPP Loan Fraud, Watchdog Report Finds
Sep 6, 2023 | Matt Masterson
“Pandemic relief fraud by CPS employees causes significant reputational harm to CPS and diminishes trust in the school district,” The Office of Inspector General wrote in the report.
Chicago Has Seen 418 Homicides and 1,988 People Shot This Year, Lowest Numbers Since 2019: Police
Sep 5, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Monthly CPD data published Tuesday shows that the city has recorded 418 homicides, 1,677 shootings and 1,988 shooting victims in 2023 through the end of August. Each of those totals is the fewest through the first eight months of a year since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two 15-Year-Old Boys Among 6 People Killed by Gunfire Over Labor Day Weekend in Chicago: Police
Sep 5, 2023 | Matt Masterson
According to preliminary Chicago Police Department data, 39 people were shot in 33 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday. In addition to the six people who were fatally shot, a seventh person died of blunt force trauma.
Chicago Man Held Firefighters at Knifepoint in Gasoline-Soaked Home, Prosecutors Say
Sep 1, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Melvin Jordan, 47, was arrested and charged this week with two counts each of attempted murder, aggravated kidnapping and unlawful restraint, along with a single count of unlawful use of a weapon.
With Influx of Migrant Students, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez ‘Confident We Can Serve the Children’
Aug 31, 2023 | Matt Masterson
As Chicago Public Schools has seen an influx of migrant students, CEO Pedro Martinez said the district has been able to rely on its longstanding infrastructure to make sure these new students get the education and care they need.
Chicago Man Charged With Child Endangerment After Accidental Shooting Death of 8-Year-Old Boy
Aug 31, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Ramon Sumerlin, 41, is charged with child endangerment resulting in death and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon stemming from the Aug. 15 shooting of Jacari Brown.
White Sox Shooting: Woman Denies Gunshot Wound Was Self-Inflicted, But Questions Remain
Aug 30, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Details about the incident remain scarce, days after a 42-year-old woman was shot in the leg and a 26-year-old woman suffered a graze wound to the abdomen, which occurred in the fourth inning of the Sox’s Friday game against the Oakland Athletics.
Chicago Fire Lieutenant Dies Weeks After Suffering Injuries in House Fire
Aug 29, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The Chicago Fire Department on Tuesday confirmed 59-year-old Lieutenant Kevin Ward has died at the Loyola University Medical Center.
Chicago Police Officials Reveal New Information, Days After 2 Women Shot During White Sox Game at Guaranteed Rate Field
Aug 28, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Interim Police Superintendent Fred Waller said Monday his department has “almost completely dispelled” the idea that the shots that injured two women were fired from outside the ballpark, according to reporting from the Chicago Tribune.
Judge Refuses to Toss Out Criminal Charges Against Father of Alleged Highland Park Parade Gunman
Aug 28, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Judge George Strickland on Monday denied multiple motions filed on behalf of Robert Crimo Jr., including one that sought to have his criminal charges tossed out based on a violation of the state’s statute of limitations.
24 People Shot, 1 Killed, Over Weekend Across Chicago: Police
Aug 28, 2023 | Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 24 people were shot in 18 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.