Stories by Matt Masterson

ICE ‘Unwilling’ to Share Details After Agent Killed Suburban Man During Immigration Operation, Pritzker Says

“We need more information,” Gov. JB Pritzker said at a press event Monday in Chicago. “We’ve asked ICE for all of the information around it, they have given very little.”

ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Man During Immigration Operation in Suburban Franklin Park

A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a man while carrying out an enforcement operation in suburban Franklin Park on Friday morning, the agency announced.

Conservative Ted Dabrowski Officially Launches Bid to Become Next Illinois Governor

Dabrowski, the president of Wirepoints, officially launched his campaign on Friday to challenge JB Pritzker, the Democratic incumbent who is seeking a third term in next fall’s election.

Bruce DuMont, Who Helped Launch ‘Chicago Tonight’ During Decadeslong Broadcasting Career, Dies at 81

Bruce Dumont, the longtime television and radio correspondent, broadcaster and producer who helped create and lead WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight,” has passed away at the age of 81.

Eight-time Incumbent Tim Evans Defeated by Charles Beach in Cook County Chief Judge Election

Tim Evans, who has served as Cook County’s chief judge for more than two decades, was defeated in his run for a ninth term and will be replaced later this year by Judge Charles Beach.

CPS Headquarters Placed Under Temporary Lockdown After Nearby Shooting

Chicago Public Schools’ Loop headquarters was placed under a temporary lockdown Wednesday morning following a reported shooting nearby.

Ex-Northwestern Leader Henry Bienen Named University’s Interim President

The Evanston university on Tuesday announced that Bienen will begin serving as its interim president beginning Sept. 16.

P. Scott Neville Selected as Next Chief Justice of Illinois Supreme Court

Neville, who has served on the high court for the past seven years, will take over for current Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis beginning in October. He’ll become the second Black chief justice in Illinois history.

Feds Tout New Immigration Operation in Illinois as Communities Await ICE Raids

Homeland Security officials on Monday said they intend to target “criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois” in a new immigration operation after an Illinois woman was killed in a drunk driving crash allegedly involving an undocumented immigrant early this year.

6 Charged in Alleged Smash-and-Grab Burglary at Michigan Avenue Rolex Store

Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office announced the charges against the six adults, who were arrested Friday after allegedly leading authorities on a chase from the store down Lake Shore Drive and the Dan Ryan Expressway before they ultimately crashed.

CPS Rebuffs Remote Learning Calls, Says School Remains ‘Best and Safest’ Place for Students Amid ICE and National Guard Fears

Chicago Public Schools says it does not intend to offer a remote learning option to students amid a possible deployment of National Guard troops, immigration strike teams or other armed military personnel into the city.

Northwestern President Michael Schill, Who Led University Amid Hazing Scandal and Funding Freeze, Announces Resignation

Northwestern President Michael Schill, who has led the Evanston university amid periods of turmoil that included student protests, a widespread hazing scandal within the athletic department and federal funding cuts that forced layoffs, has announced he is stepping down.

‘It’s Just Crazy’: Families of 2 Teens Shot at Douglass Park Pool Suing Lifeguard, Chicago Park District

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday on behalf of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred, comes more than two months after the teens were shot in Douglass Park during an encounter with a 55-year-old lifeguard.

Eight People Killed by Gunfire Over Labor Day Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 58 total people were shot in 37 separate shootings between Friday and Monday evenings.

Feds File Lawsuit Targeting Illinois Law That Provides Financial Aid to Undocumented Students

The Department of Justice on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the state itself.

CPS Board Approves $700K Settlement to Ex-Lincoln Park HS Officials

The Chicago Board of Education on Thursday voted to approve the settlement with the school’s former interim principal John Thuet and assistant principal Michelle Brumfield.

CPS Board Approves District Budget Without Borrowing to Cover $175M Pension Payment

The board voted 12-7, with one abstention, late Thursday following a contentious debate between board members who were split on how best to fund city schools while keeping costly cuts out of the classroom.

Chicago Man Sentenced to 15 Years on Kidnapping Charge After 2022 Postal Worker Attack

Cesar Ramirez, 47, received his sentence this week after he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping stemming from the October 2022 incident. He was initially charged with numerous felonies that also included attempted aggravated sexual assault, attempted aggravated sexual abuse and aggravated battery.

Pritzker: No Word From Trump on Reported Use of Suburban Naval Base to House Immigration Agents, National Guard

Gov. JB Pritzker said he’s received no word from the Trump administration following reports it intends to use the Naval Station Great Lakes outside Chicago to house federal immigration agents or National Guard troops.

CPS Board to Vote on School Budget Thursday, But Questions Remain About Filling $734M Shortfall

Chicago Public Schools is set to finalize its fiscal year 2026 budget this week, but questions remain about how the cash-strapped school district intends to plug a $734 million shortfall.

Chicago Grocery Mart Owner Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison For Defrauding Millions in SNAP Benefits

A federal judge in Chicago sentenced Yousef Abu Alhawa to 42 months in prison after he pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and tax charges.

Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting No-Cash Bail Policies in Illinois and Across US

President Donald Trump signed an order threatening to freeze federal funding to governments and jurisdictions that have eliminated the use of cash bail as a means of holding defendants in jail pretrial. Local officials say the system put in place in Illinois in 2023 is working.

Mayor Johnson Hits Back at Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Plans to Deploy National Guard to Chicago

Mayor Brandon Johnson said he takes Trump’s statement seriously, but claimed the city has not received any word from federal authorities about the deployment of any additional law enforcement into Chicago.

Feds Launch New Unit to Prosecute Health Care Fraud Cases in Illinois

U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced Friday the creation of a new section within the Northern District of Illinois’s Criminal Division that will be dedicated to the prosecution of health care fraud.

Applications Sought for Chicago’s Next Police Misconduct Agency Chief

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced it has begun accepting applications for the role of chief administrator in the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Ex-Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Settles Lawsuit Following His Firing Amid Hazing Allegations

Former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald and his attorneys announced the “satisfactory settlement” Thursday, though terms of the agreement were not immediately known.
 

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