Stories by Matt Masterson

One of the most comprehensive investigations undertaken by federal authorities revealed widespread violations in the way Chicago Public Schools handles and investigates sexual violence cases. “The findings were deeply disturbing,” one federal education official said. “We cannot permit this to recur in Chicago or anywhere else.”

The Chicago Public Schools CEO took to the nation’s capital Wednesday to call for additional federal resources for local programming that helps students process and heal from violence.

A Cook County judge has rejected a so-called gag order in the case of a mother and daughter who allegedly murdered pregnant teen Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and cut the baby from her womb.

The Hyde Park university maintained its position as one of top institutions in the nation – and the best in Illinois – according to the just-released 2020 rankings from U.S. News and World Report.

Latrice Harrell, executive director of The Champion Center for Autism Inc., faces the possibility of decades in prison after allegedly submitting $3 million in fraudulent insurance claims over the course of three years.

More than 16,000 CPS students dealt with some form of homelessness last school year. Now, Chicago aldermen and a local nonprofit are calling on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to support what they believe could be an “immediate solution.”

Attorneys for the former “Empire” actor claim that simply filing a police report doesn’t typically result in an investigation as extensive as the one Chicago police undertook earlier this year, which cost $130,000.

On Tuesday, Chicago Public Schools will welcome the inaugural class of students to Englewood STEM High School, 18 months after the district voted to close four other local high schools.

Sgt. James Prah Jr. claims he’s being “intimidated into silence” by Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and his wife because he reported their alleged involvement in a purported cheating scheme during a departmental exam.

The Illinois attorney general’s office has been so inundated with payment requests stemming from its consent decree with a former Champaign-based bus operator that they’ve asked a federal judge to amend the agreement itself.

Teachers at Chicago Public Schools are back in the classroom, preparing for the arrival of students next week. But they still have no contract from the district, even though the district is changing its offer to teachers.

The announcement comes five months after the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office dropped criminal charges related to a racist and homophobic attack actor Jussie Smollett allegedly orchestrated.

Judi Brown filed a federal lawsuit this week claiming she was discriminated against and ultimately fired from a Bolingbrook convenience store because of her race and gender identity.

Illinois prisons will soon provide civics and voting rights education workshops to soon-to-be released prisoners. “In Illinois, we understand that every vote matters and every vote counts,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at a signing ceremony Wednesday.

Two University of Illinois social workers who once treated the man convicted of kidnapping and killing a visiting Chinese scholar claim they cannot be held legally responsible for his “random and incomprehensible actions.”

A Cook County jury has found Jovan Battle, 32, guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated battery and aggravated discharge of a firearm for the March 23 killing of Chicago Officer John Rivera.

R. Kelly refused transport Thursday to the Leighton Criminal Court Building, where he faces several criminal sexual charges, according to a Cook County prosecutor.

Until this week, 18 documents from the landmark case had remained under seal, even though the former officer was convicted 10 months ago for the murder of Laquan McDonald.

After a night out with friends in River North, off-duty Chicago police Officer John Rivera apparently realized a dangerous situation was unfolding. Moments later, the 23-year-old was fatally shot inside his vehicle.

The first of three men charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Chicago police Officer John Rivera is going to trial this week. Jovan Battle, 32, is acting as his own attorney while facing a first-degree murder charge.

As the Chicago Teachers Union and Board of Education continue to negotiate a new contract, an independent fact-finder recommends a 16% pay raise for Chicago teachers over the life of a five-year deal.

Latricia Brown is seeking damages for what she claims is the wrongful death of her son, 26-year-old Sharell Brown, who was shot and killed in May during an encounter with police.

A new report from a group of UIC students claims at least 450 predominantly international students received incomplete ballots or were erroneously told they were ineligible to vote in April’s student government election.

After killing the Chinese scholar, Brendt Christensen says he put her body in three separate garbage bags, which he tossed in a dumpster outside his Champaign apartment.

Yingying’s Fund, created with the support of Yingying Zhang’s family, will serve international students across campus and their families “during times of hardship, when they need it most,” according to the fund’s donation page.

Chicago community leaders are telling President Donald Trump his words matter, days after a gunman slayed more than 20 people, including many Hispanics, inside a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.