Stories by Matt Masterson

Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber to sentence Kelly to 25 years in prison to account for the “indescribable harm” he caused his victims, including his then-underaged goddaughter “Jane.”

Chicago Public Schools is planning to spend $76 million to expand and upgrade the number of security cameras both inside and outside of district-run schools across the city — a move it says will improve the safety of students and staff.

The Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved the calendar for the 2023-24 school year after receiving more than 2,500 comments from the public and education stakeholders last month.

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 16 people were shot in 15 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Norma Chagnama, 29, was held without bail Monday following her arrest on a single count of felony murder in the death of Zury Cruz Sumba, who allegedly suffered brain and spinal injuries while in Chagnama’s care last week.

“Plain and simple, Kelly does not comprehend that what he did was wrong," federal prosecutors said in a sentencing memo this week.

According to a statement from the Evanston Police Department, three of the four people struck were hospitalized with “serious injuries,” while a fourth was treated at the scene. Northwestern confirmed all four people are university employees.

Robert Crimo, Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of felony reckless conduct during a brief hearing Thursday, one day after a Lake County grand jury indicted him on those charges.

A federal judge has denied R. Kelly’s request for a new trial, just a week before he is set to be sentenced on child pornography charges following his conviction in Chicago last year.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday said it is “unclear, nor has it been determined” by the office whether the man discharged his firearm at two officers before being fatally shot by police.

A U.S. district judge in Chicago on Wednesday sentenced Olaniyi Nasiru Ojikutu, 39, to 88 months in prison after he pleaded guilty last year to a count of wire fraud. He and nine others were charged as part of “Operation Gold Phish” — an investigation into cyber scams that primarily targeted elderly victims.

The lawsuit comes nine months after Tyshon Brownlee allegedly robbed and shot 24-year-old Dakotah Earley, who was walking in the 1300 block of West Webster Avenue in the early morning hours of May 6.

Aaron Guerrero, 27, was charged Wednesday with reckless homicide and aggravated street racing, months after he allegedly struck and killed 40-year-old Shawman Meireis, a Florida woman visiting Chicago last August.

Police Superintendent David Brown said the shooting occurred just after 3 a.m. in the 3700 block of North Troy Street. The man who was killed has not yet been identified.

The UIC United Faculty on Tuesday announced its members had voted in favor of the new deal, which applies to all 1,500 members of the tenure and non-tenure bargaining units.

According to Chicago Police Department data, 20 people were shot in 18 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

James Jackson, 55, appeared in court Friday on charges of aggravated battery of a transit employee and aggravated battery of a victim over 60 years old after he allegedly struck a CTA worker at the Washington Blue Line station.

Eva Bratcher allegedly bought a freezer a week after her elderly mother died and used it to conceal her body for nearly two years before it was discovered by police at their Northwest Side home earlier this week.

Jeffrey Kriv, 56, has been charged with four felony counts of perjury and five felony counts of forgery, according to the Chicago Office of Inspector General.

Miguel Deleon, who was set to go to trial this week on charges that he sexually assaulted two customers at his home, has been arrested and now faces new charges for allegedly sexually abusing or assaulting three more women under similar circumstances.

“Dr. Tony Sanders is an extraordinary choice for State Superintendent of Education,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Monday announced her office will be dropping its case against Kelly — nearly four years after he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and abuse.

According to Chicago Police Department data, 13 people were wounded by gunfire over the weekend between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Those victims survived their wounds, but two men were killed in shootings just after 6 a.m. Monday.

“The circuit court’s decision finding the detention provisions unconstitutional should be reversed,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office wrote in a brief Thursday.

Tony Mason III, 18, was held without bail Thursday after being charged with numerous felonies including first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder stemming from a Sunday shooting that left 17-year-old Jordan Nixon dead.

Deputy Inspector General Amber Nesbitt said her office has seen a rise in the number of district schools, charter schools and vendors that have launched investigations into sexual misconduct allegations without contacting the inspector general or CPS.