Cook County prosecutors are enacting new changes to an existing search warrant policy this month, with an aim at improving communication and accountability while eliminating mistaken raids at incorrect locations.
Stories by Matt Masterson
CPS After-School Dance Club Instructor Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 Boys
Bryon Ortega, 19, was charged this week with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault and two child pornography-related charges after he allegedly abused two high school students.
Chicago Board of Education Vice President Sendhil Revuluri Stepping Down
“Everything I have in my life I owe to public education,” Sendhil Revuluri said during the meeting. “Our city, our students, our educators all need and deserve a board that listens to the community, focuses on student outcomes, sets clear goals to drive our progress and then holds one another and our district accountable for that progress.”
15-Year-Old Student Fatally Shot Near CPS High School: Police
Chicago police are seeking the community’s help after a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot outside Michele Clark Magnet High School Tuesday afternoon.
2 Brothers Charged in $1M Suburban Bank Truck Robbery on Halloween
Corrie Singleton, 21, and Darrell Singleton, 18, both of South Holland, Illinois, have been charged in federal court in Chicago with robbery, bank larceny by assault and other firearm offenses.
Ex-CTA Clerk Charged With Stealing $350K From Retirement Fund
Ayanna Nesbitt, 50, of Chicago, was indicted last week in federal court on five counts of wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Monday, after she allegedly stole money that was intended to be provided to CTA retirees or their beneficiaries.
4 People Killed in Pair of Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
According to Chicago Police Department data, at least 17 people were shot in 13 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included a pair of double homicides.
City Hall Closed as Chicago Police, Emergency Responders Hold Active Shooter Drill
Chicago police and firefighters swarmed City Hall for several hours Friday during a training that aimed to “enhance preparedness and strengthen capabilities” across city departments “during and following an active threat or terrorism.”
Chicago Man Charged With Shoving 28-Year-Old Man Onto Blue Line Tracks, Headbutting Officer
Cory Patterson, 33, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder, four counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer and one count of misdemeanor battery. A Cook County judge issued him a $2 million D-bond Thursday, meaning he must pay $200,000 to be released from jail.
Chicago Man, Dubbed ‘#RailMixer’ Online, Charged in Connection to Jan. 6 Capitol Riot
James McNamara, 61, was charged in federal court in Washington D.C. this week with felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder, as well as five other misdemeanor charges.
Chicago Tops 630 Homicides, 2,600 Shootings in 2022: Police
Through the end of November, 3,258 people have been shot in the city, according to monthly crime stats from the Chicago Police Department. Of those victims, 637 people were killed.
Ex-Employee of Cook County Land Bank Authority Charged in Wire Fraud Scheme to Buy, Sell Properties
Mustafaa Saleh, 36, was charged through a criminal information in federal court in Chicago on Tuesday with a single count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
2 Chicago Men Charged in Fatal Shooting of Girl Killed on 12th Birthday
Cook County prosecutors alleged Malik Parish, 22, Abdul Ali, 20, and a third unknown man were firing shots at rival gang members on the evening of March 1 when an errant bullet struck Nyzireya Moore as she sat inside her mother’s vehicle.
6 Killed in Separate Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
According to Chicago Police Department data, 31 people were shot in 24 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, including two dead and two others injured at a far South Side gathering early Saturday.
Chicago Teen Charged After Fatal Crash With Vehicle That Was Trying to Flee Police: Prosecutors
Kendall Sprouts, 18, was charged Wednesday with reckless homicide involving a motor vehicle and aggravated reckless driving following the Sunday evening crash that left 22-year-old Keyshawn Javon Gray dead.
Chicago Police Officer Found Not Guilty in 2020 Shooting at Red Line Station
According to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Cook County Judge Joseph Claps issued the verdict Tuesday in the bench trial of Officer Melvina Bogard, who was charged last year with the nonfatal shooting of Ariel Roman inside the Grand Red Line station.
15-Year-Old Girl Among 3 People Fatally Shot Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
According to Chicago police, 20 people were shot in 15 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Illinois Education Superintendent Carmen Ayala to Retire
State Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala, appointed in 2019, announced that she’ll retire at the end of January.
Former DePaul Student Sentenced to More Than 7 Years For Attempting to Aid ISIS Terror Group
Thomas Osadzinski, 23, was convicted following a two-week trial of attempting to provide material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization. On Thursday, a federal judge in Chicago sentenced him to 90 months in prison.
R. Kelly Asks Judge to Toss Federal Child Pornography Convictions or Grant New Trial
Kelly’s attorneys on Tuesday filed the routine post-conviction motions asking a judge to either toss out the singer’s six convictions or grant him another trial, arguing prosecutors failed to prove their case and allowed a witness to provide false testimony.
Reputed Wicked Town Gang Leader Convicted on Federal Racketeering Charges
Donald Lee, 40, and 30-year-old Torance Benson were each found guilty Tuesday following a two-month trial in Chicago’s federal court building after prosecutors said they each participated in a criminal organization that murdered rivals and violently protected a drug-dealing operation on the city’s West Side.
Police, CTA Officials Offer Riders Safety Tips Ahead of Holiday Shopping Season
Safety tips offered by the CPD include: being aware of your surroundings, securing wallets and phones in zipped pockets, keeping shopping bags close to you and keeping headphone volume low enough to hear what’s happening nearby.
Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Stepfather at Bronzeville Home
Kenneth Haywood, 30, was ordered held on a $400,000 D-bond during a hearing Monday following his arrest over the weekend in the killing of 56-year-old Shenan Thompson.
6 People Killed in Separate Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
According to Chicago Police Department data, 28 people were shot in 26 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Democrats Rochford, O’Brien Declare Victory in Illinois Supreme Court Races
If the results hold, the court would shift to a 5-to-2 Democrat majority.
Democratic Lake County Judge Elizabeth “Liz” Rochford has declared victory in her race for the 2nd District seat on the Illinois Supreme Court, a result that would mean Democrats would maintain control of the state’s highest court.
Early Results Show Illinois Voters Appear in Favor of Workers’ Rights Constitutional Amendment Decision
If passed, the impact of the so-called “Workers Rights Amendment” would be twofold: The change would codify Illinois workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively, while simultaneously prohibiting any law from being passed that would interfere with those rights.
