Stories by Matt Masterson

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chicago police say it’s unclear if anyone was struck after an off-duty officer was involved in a shooting in Belmont Cragin on Wednesday morning.

Those killed in separate shootings over the weekend included a 15-year-old boy shot in a drive-by shooting and a 30-year-old man killed outside a River North club.

Yaer Shen, 46, was denied bail during a court hearing Thursday following his arrest on charges of first-degree murder, intentional homicide of an unborn child and concealing a homicidal death stemming from the killing of 40-year-old Bilian Fang, who was eight months pregnant with Shen’s child, prosecutors said.

Scott Lennox bragged to friends about sending the message, according to Cook County prosecutors, which led to Darren Bailey requesting additional security for himself and his family and to a soft lockdown at the school Bailey runs with his wife.

Through the end of October, 580 people have been killed in the city, down 16% from the same time period last year and a 13% drop compared with 2020.

The Chicago Police Department said it does't appear anyone was struck by gunfire during the shooting, which occurred Tuesday morning in the Logan Square neighborhood.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime associate Michael McClain entered not guilty pleas Tuesday morning on new charges stemming from their alleged involvement in a corruption scheme involving AT&T Illinois.

The victims were hospitalized in various states, with some in critical condition and others who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Police Superintendent David Brown said late Monday night.

The City Colleges of Chicago Teachers Union Local 1600 called off a planned Nov. 2 walkout after tentatively reaching a four-year contract agreement late Sunday.

According to Chicago Police Department data, 35 people were shot in 32 individual shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday evening and 11:59 p.m. Sunday night. Those victims included a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old who were each killed.

Sean Dunnavant, 53, was denied bail during a hearing Friday after he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery in the fatal shooting of 66-year-old Salim Khamo.

Marco Simonetti, 58, was issued a $5,000 D-bond during a hearing Thursday following his arrest on charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct stemming from an incident in Aug. 2021.

The boy was one of two juveniles killed in separate shootings in Chicago Wednesday night.

The Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday voted to revoke the charters for Urban Prep Academies campuses in Englewood and Bronzeville, with CPS itself set to step in and begin managing those schools.

Cesar Ramirez, 44, was ordered held without bail Wednesday following his arrest on numerous felony charges stemming from an incident Saturday.

Keshia Golden, 33, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder after she allegedly killed a 30-year-old man inside the home they shared in the 5100 block of West Augusta Boulevard.

The Cook County College Teachers Union said its contract expired in July, but negotiations on a new deal began last October, with teachers pushing for smaller class sizes, greater access to remote learning and student support, increased wraparound services and fair salary increases.

Paul La Schiazza, 65, entered the plea through his attorneys during a brief hearing Friday morning, one week after federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging him with one count of conspiracy and other crimes.

According to a 33-count indictment, the defendants paid to have previously dissolved businesses reincorporated in order to use them as shell companies through which they could apply for small business loans and grants under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.