Stories by Matt Masterson
6 More Men Have Convictions Tossed in Cases Tied to Ex-Chicago Police Sergeant
In all, 80 men and women, who were sentenced to 256 total years in prison across more than 100 cases tied to ex-CPD Sgt. Ronald Watts, have had their convictions dismissed over the past three years.
As Vaccine Rollout Begins, Officials Warn of Potential COVID-19 Scams
Be on the lookout for phony treatments and phishing messages, according to the Better Business Bureau, as scammers look to take advantage of pandemic angst and the public’s desire to get vaccinated.
Illinois Tops 14,000 COVID-19 Deaths
COVID-19 in Illinois: 9,420 New Cases, 190 Additional Deaths
More than 1,000 Illinoisans have died of the coronavirus this week alone, during a time in which the U.S. has repeatedly set single-day records for COVID-19 fatalities.
With COVID-19 Vaccine on the Way, IDPH Chief Says ‘Finish Line is in Sight’
COVID-19 in Illinois: 11,101 New Cases, 196 Additional Deaths
“We’ve come very far,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Thursday. “Let’s keep going and let’s get everybody to the end of this marathon and get back to normal altogether."
Police Tracking Public’s Trust in Department Through New Dashboard
“Chicagoans are only as safe as they feel, and this tool gives the Department an actionable metric to measure the health of the relationship between the city’s residents and its police department,” Police Superintendent David Brown said in a statement.
‘Dreadhead Cowboy’ Ordered to Have No Contact With His Horses
A Cook County judge on Wednesday granted an order from prosecutors amending the bail of Adam Hollingsworth, who now must turn over any horses he owns to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office while his criminal case plays out.
Woman Charged With Dragging Chicago Police Officer After Traffic Stop
Jasmine Smith allegedly attempted to flee a traffic stop and dragged a Chicago police officer for several downtown city blocks Monday afternoon. She is being held on $50,000 bond.
CTU Joins Other Unions in Outlining What They Want in New Education Secretary
CTU President Jesse Sharkey signed on to an open letter sent to President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday from 16 local teachers unions and organizations, calling on Biden to appoint “one of our own” as his chief advisor on education.
Kim Foxx Sworn In For Second Term as Cook County’s Top Prosecutor
A little over a month after she won reelection, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx was officially sworn in. Following the ceremony, she reflected on the challenges of 2020 and looked ahead to the next four years.
Pritzker: Too Early to See COVID-19 Surge From Thanksgiving Gatherings
COVID-19 in Illinois: 8,691 New Cases, 90 Additional Deaths
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday said officials are still “still watching and waiting” to see if there will be a surge statewide in the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations stemming from holiday gatherings.
Pritzker: Blood, Plasma Donations Desperately Needed in Illinois
COVID-19 in Illinois: 10,959 New Cases, 192 Additional Deaths
As Illinois continues dealing with its deadliest stretch of the coronavirus pandemic to date, state health officials are calling on those who’ve had COVID-19 to consider donating plasma as it may help those who are actively fighting the disease.
Cook County Jail Staffers Should Be Among First in Line for COVID-19 Vaccine, Union Says
An official with the Teamsters Local 700 is calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other leaders to prioritize corrections officers due to the “high risk of exposure” to the disease he claimed remains in the jail.
Chicago Has Seen 700 Homicides, 3,000 Shootings Thus Far in 2020
Last month, Chicago recorded 267 shootings and 58 homicides — increases of more than 70% compared to November 2019. “This has been a difficult year for law enforcement throughout the country,” top cop David Brown said.
Man Charged in Fatal Stabbing Following Thanksgiving Gathering
An altercation over leftovers following Thanksgiving dinner escalated into the fatal stabbing of a 52-year-old man early Friday morning in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Tests Positive for COVID-19
The sheriff began feeling symptomatic on Nov. 20, his office said, and he immediately self-quarantined at that point. He has not worked in his office since Nov. 19.
Chicago Police Release Photo of Vehicle Sought in Fatal Hit-And-Run
The Chicago Police Department on Monday released a photo of a vehicle they describe as a 2008-2012 GMC Acadia that’s believed to be involved in the death of 86-year-old Eliseo Mendoza.
‘Making Sense of 2020’: How WTTW News Told the Story of an Unprecedented Year
Premiering Tuesday, a new documentary from WTTW senior producer Daniel Andries analyzes how reporters, producers and staff at WTTW News adapted to report the story of a year unlike any other.
Pritzker: Illinois to Borrow $2B from Feds To Cover Short-Term COVID-19 Losses
COVID-19 in Illinois: 11,378 New Cases, 155 Additional Deaths
“Adding debt is not a long-term solution to structural imbalance,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. “Short-term borrowing is a short-term Band-Aid to address the urgency of a short-term problem like one caused by a pandemic.”
Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Allegedly Shooting at 3 Chicago Officers
Kamari Pleasant was denied bail Tuesday, three days after he allegedly fired 19 shots at a trio of Chicago police officers and then attempted to evade pursuit by hiding under a pile of leaves on the Far South Side.
Trials on Hold, Judges to Work Remotely as Cook County Courts Go Fully Virtual
“These actions are needed to protect public health, as we continue to monitor this pandemic,” Chief Judge Timothy Evans said. “Our system of justice has continued to hear all necessary and urgent matters, and today’s order does not change that.”
Barack Obama Surprises CPS Students During Virtual Event
The country’s 44th president gave all Chicago public high school students digital access to his new book, “A Promised Land,” during a surprise appearance at a virtual assembly on Monday.
Ex-Chicago State Professor Accused of Embezzling $650K From Student Organization
Carmita Coleman was charged Friday with four counts of wire fraud following a five-year scheme in which she allegedly took $651,272 and used the funds on, among other things, “clothing, food, and trips.”
Pritzker Concerned With Saving Lives as New COVID-19 Mitigations Take Effect Friday
COVID-19 in Illinois: 14,612 New Cases, 168 Additional Deaths
“My No. 1 consideration is not whether someone’s going to get angry at me,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday. “It’s whether I can save a life or save the lives of people who are potentially going to get sick."
Protesters Suing City of Chicago, Top Cop Over Response to Summer Protests
The suit was filed Thursday on behalf of 60 protesters who claim police used “unconstitutional tactics that are clearly intended to injure, silence, and intimidate” during protests following the killing of George Floyd.
‘Dreadhead Cowboy’ Pleads Not Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charge After Dan Ryan Ride
Adam Hollingsworth, 33, entered the plea through his attorney Thursday during a brief arraignment held in virtual court.
Illinois Tops 11,000 COVID-19 Deaths, 600,000 Cases Since Pandemic Began
“COVID-19 is now the third leading cause of death in Illinois, behind heart disease and cancer,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday as state health officials reported 8,922 new COVID-19 cases and 140 virus-related deaths.
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