Stories by Matt Masterson
After Manhunt, 22-Year-Old Charged in Killing of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police officials on Friday officially announced charges against 22-year-old Xavier Tate Jr., who now faces counts of first-degree murder, aggravated vehicular hijacking and possession of a stolen firearm.
Suspect Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca
| Matt Masterson
Law enforcement officers have arrested the suspect accused of killing Chicago police Officer Luis Huesca.
Reproductive Rights Advocates Suing Chicago After Permit to March During DNC Rejected
| Matt Masterson
Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws claiming the city has relied on its “constitutionally defective” parade permit ordinance to summarily deny permits that would allow groups to march during the convention.
A 10-Year-Old Girl Was Killed in Collision With Vehicle Fleeing Police. Her Family Now Wants to Use Deposition of Ex-Mayor Lightfoot at Trial
| Matt Masterson
Attorneys for the family of Da’Karia Spicer, 10, killed in a 2020 traffic crash are seeking to make public their deposition of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who a day after the accident said she didn’t believe a police vehicle pursuit had led to the girl’s death.
Bargaining Underway as CPS, CTU Work Toward New Teachers Contract
| Matt Masterson
Officials from the union and Chicago Public Schools began talks this week as the sides work to secure the first new teachers contract since former CTU organizer and educator Brandon Johnson was elected mayor.
‘He Was a Great Man’: Slain Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca Remembered, Celebrated During Funeral
| Matt Masterson
“Luis left a great impression on not only everyone sitting here, especially his team, but he’s leaving an impression on the entire country,” Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said.
Northwestern to Allow ‘Peaceful Demonstrations’ on Campus After Reaching Agreement With Protesters
| Matt Masterson
Protests began on the Evanston campus and at universities across the country in recent weeks amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Officials Announce $100K in Rewards for Information Leading to Arrest of Suspect in Officer Luis Huesca's Killing
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department over the weekend announced that an arrest warrant had been issued for 22-year-old Xavier L. Tate Jr., who is being sought in connection with Huesca’s death.
2 People Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 16 people were shot between Friday evening and Sunday night.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds R. Kelly’s Child Pornography Convictions From Chicago Trial
| Matt Masterson
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday rejected the R&B singer’s claim that the statute of limitations had passed and instead affirmed his convictions, stating that “(f)or years, Robert Sylvester Kelly abused underage girls.”
Pritzker Announces New State Funding Aimed at Addressing Racial Disparities in Homelessness
| Matt Masterson
“Our approach understands that homelessness is not an issue of personal failing, but of historical discrimination and structural barriers that have driven inequality for Black families across the nation, and of course, right here in Illinois,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday.
Judge Allows Ex-Northwestern Football Players to Consolidate Hazing Lawsuits With Former Coach Pat Fitzgerald’s Litigation
| Matt Masterson
Attorneys for the players on Wednesday announced that a judge has granted a motion to consolidate their various cases with that of ex-Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Biden Nominates April Perry to Become Federal Judge After Delays Derailed Bid to Become Chicago’s First Female U.S. Attorney
| Matt Masterson
Officials are back to square one in the search for Chicago’s next U.S. attorney as President Joe Biden has nominated April Perry — the presumptive pick to succeed John Lausch — to instead become a federal judge.
5 CPS Schools Listed Among Top 100 High Schools in US News Rankings
| Matt Masterson
Walter Payton College Prep checked in at No. 5 in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of top high schools in the country.
Chicago Police Seeking to ID Man in Connection to Fatal Shooting of Officer Luis Huesca
| Matt Masterson
The CPD released multiple surveillance footage clips of a man, who can be seen entering a pair of convenience stores. Investigators believe that man is connected to Huesca’s death.
‘Our City is Grieving’: Off-Duty Police Officer Among at Least 3 Killed by Gunfire Across Chicago Over Weekend
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police Officer Luis M. Huesca, who was fatally shot as he returned to his Gage Park home following his shift early Sunday, was among three people killed by gunfire across Chicago over the weekend.
Judge Tosses Large Portions of Evanston Residents’ Lawsuit Over Northwestern’s Ryan Field Deal
| Matt Masterson
Judge Pamela McLean Meyerson dismissed three counts brought by a group of 13 residents who live near the stadium who had asked the court to invalidate Evanston City Council’s 5-4 vote to change the city’s zoning law.
Highland Park to Resume Fourth of July Parade This Summer, 2 Years After Mass Shooting
| Matt Masterson
The city of Highland Park is planning to resume its annual Fourth of July parade — two years after a gunman opened fire on attendees, killing seven and wounding dozens more.
CPS Board Officials Express ‘Grave Concerns’ About Selective Enrollment Bill in Springfield
| Matt Masterson
The measure would put a moratorium on the closure of selective enrollment schools and prevent CPS from altering its standards for admission to those schools until 2027 when a fully elected school board in Chicago is in place.
Chicago Teachers Union Leaders Hopeful for ‘New Chapter’ in Contract Negotiations as Bargaining Set to Begin
| Matt Masterson
CTU leaders on Tuesday announced their contract demands as bargaining gets underway on a new deal as the union’s existing contract is set to expire in June.
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Bribery Statute at Heart of Michael Madigan Trial
| Matt Masterson
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguements in a case that could have wide-ranging impacts on bribery cases like the one involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
‘We Are All Allowed to be Outraged Today’: Young Girl Among 7 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend Across Chicago
| Matt Masterson
According to the Chicago Police Department, 48 people were shot in separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, marking one of the most violent weekends in the city thus far this year.
Chicago Police Touting ‘Focused’ Approach to Stopping, Solving Armed Robberies
| Matt Masterson
“These robberies have created trauma for the victims and fear in our communities,” Superintendent Larry Snelling said. “We want everyone in this city to not only feel safe, but to actually be safe.”
Former Student Suing Chicago Public Schools Following Years of Alleged Sexual Abuse
| Matt Masterson
The victim has said she was sexually abused over the course of multiple years at the hands of Brian Crowder, the former dean of students at the Greater Lawndale High School for Social Justice.
Brother of Dexter Reed Arrested at Protest Following Release of Traffic Stop Videos Showing Fatal Police Shooting
| Matt Masterson
Julius Reed is facing misdemeanor charges of resisting a peace officer and one count of battery following his arrest Tuesday.
CPS Local School Council Elections Underway This Week
| Matt Masterson
Those elected to serve on their LSC will be tasked with approving their individual school’s budget, selecting their principal, renewing school contracts and approving their school’s academic plans.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Who Is Running, or Thinking About Running, to Become Chicago’s Next Mayor
This 50-Ton Prehistoric Boulder Was Unearthed at O’Hare, Contest Is On To Name It
Rock Star: Meet the Guy Who Excavated O’Hare’s 50-Ton Boulder, and Yes, He Has Thoughts About the Name
Chicago City Council Puts Bally’s Officials on Hot Seat Amid Dispute Over Video Gambling
Pay 2 Men Who Spent a Combined 38 Years in Prison for Double Murder They Didn’t Commit Almost $14M, City Lawyers Recommend
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter