Stories by Matt Masterson
WWCI Names Sandra Cordova Micek New President and CEO
Sandra Cordova Micek will take over as president and CEO of WWCI, the parent company of WTTW and WFMT, beginning May 1 following the retirement last year of Dan Schmidt.
Former Lake Bluff Students Sue School District Over Sex Abuse Allegations
Five former students filed civil suits this week against Lake Bluff School District 65, claiming it knowingly employed a sexually abusive teacher in the 1970s and ‘80s.
CPS Promises Change to ‘Unacceptable’ School Cleanliness Levels
Chicago Public Schools officials say they’re focused on getting their school buildings cleaned after a recent round of inspections revealed “troubling and concerning” issues.
CPS Hopes to Repair Community Trust After Special Education Issues
Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson is asking for community support as the district attempts to fix “systemic problems” with its special education programming.
‘Don’t Panic’: Chicago Officials Hope to Save Lives With Safe Haven Law
April is “Save Abandoned Babies Month” in Illinois. Chicago police and fire officials hope to raise awareness of the state’s safe haven law in the hopes of saving infant lives.
Chicago Police Board to Review LeGrier Shooting After Member Sides With COPA
The Chicago Police Board may seek to fire an officer who shot and killed two people during a domestic disturbance call in 2015.
Appeals Court Backs Chicago in Federal Immigration Case
Chicago won’t have to give up its “sanctuary city” policies in order to receive federal grant money, an appeals court ruled Thursday.
Van Dyke Case: Documents Could be Unsealed, Change of Venue Motion Pending
The judge in the high-profile murder case could unseal documents not yet seen by the public later this month. A defense expert witness also testified Wednesday about a possible change of venue in the case.
Tribune Tower Site Redesign Could Include Chicago’s 2nd Tallest Skyscraper
Proposal details 1,400-foot tower, 300 new condos
The site of the Tribune Tower will include nearly 300 condominiums and what would be one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers under a new redevelopment proposal developers believe will both revitalize and preserve the international landmark.
US Supreme Court Won’t Hear Blagojevich Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday announced it will not be taking up former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appeal of his 14-year prison sentence.
Chicago Aviation Officers Sue City, Claim Job Histories Were ‘Erased’
Class action suit comes a year after incident on board United flight
Nearly 300 Chicago aviation officers are suing to reclaim their status as law enforcement officers, a title they lost following a highly publicized incident on board a United plane last year.
Aviation Officer Fired After United Dragging Incident Suing City, Airline
The former security officer claims he was improperly trained and later defamed by the head of the Chicago Department of Aviation.
CPS Students Shrink Achievement Gap, But Overall Progress Remains Stable
The achievement gap between white and minority students within Chicago Public Schools has shrunk, according to a national assessment, but the shift wasn’t caused by higher student scores.
Emanuel: Rauner Abdicated ‘Primary Responsibility’ With Gun Dealer Veto
Advocates of a bill aimed at strengthening state gun dealer regulations continue pushing for its passage, even after it was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
UChicago Student Shot By Campus Police Now Facing Criminal Charges
The University of Chicago student shot by campus police this week now faces a felony charge of assaulting an officer, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Van Dyke Defense Seeking New Trial Venue, But Request a Tall Order
Have Cook County residents been so inundated with media coverage of the Laquan McDonald shooting case as to be incapable of rendering a fair verdict? A look at change of venue motions.
Chicago Top Cop Stands by Letter in LeGrier Investigation
“At the end of the day I don’t have the luxury of basing my decisions on public pressure, political pressure,” CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson said, explaining why he rejected COPA findings in the death of Quintonio LeGrier.
Chicago Crime Drops for 13th Straight Month
There have been 22 percent fewer homicides and 25 percent fewer shootings citywide in 2018 over the same period last year, according to Chicago Police Department data.
CPS: Most Incoming Freshmen Matched With Top 3 High School Choices
Eighth graders in Chicago Public Schools will find out Friday afternoon what high schools they’ve been matched with as part of the district’s new online application system.
Rare ‘Head of Christ’ Originals Found in Chicago Thrift Store Sell for $135K
Two years after finding a pair of rare artworks in a Chicago thrift store, Paul Beaty has sold them for a combined $135,000 to an author in Colorado. The two connected after seeing a Chicago Tonight story in February about the discovery.
Van Dyke Case: Judge Planning for Summer Trial
It’s been more than two years since Jason Van Dyke pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the death of Laquan McDonald. The judge in the case now says he wants the trial to get moving in the coming months.
Apple Brings New iPad, Education Software to Lane Tech Event
CEO Tim Cook: CPS among most diverse, forward-thinking school districts
Apple CEO Tim Cook had nothing but praise for the city of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools during one of the company’s signature product reveals Tuesday morning in Roscoe Village.
Cook County Sues Facebook, Cambridge Analytica for Consumer Fraud
Facebook’s “disregard and misuse” of users’ personal data allowed a foreign firm to profile 50 million voters without their consent prior to the 2016 election, and according to a new lawsuit, it may have violated Illinois state law.
Police Name Successor to Slain CPD Commander Paul Bauer
The 18th Police District has a new commander more than a month after Paul Bauer was gunned down outside the Thompson Center.
Chicago Teen to Victims of Gun Violence: ‘I Cry With You, I Scream With You’
Local teens heading to D.C. on Saturday for March For Our Lives
Students calling for an end to gun violence will lead hundreds of marches across the country this weekend. Meet a Chicago teen invited to speak at the national March For Our Lives event in Washington, D.C.
CPS Adds STEM Magnet Programs at 3 More Elementary Schools
The Board of Education voted Wednesday to add STEM-focused magnet programs at Brown, Claremont and Jungman elementary schools beginning this fall.
Trending
Chicago Bears Say They Are Moving Forward With a Move to Indiana
2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
Stacey King, Longtime Bulls Broadcaster Who Played on Three Championship Teams, Dies at 59
111 Ex-Federal Prosecutors Blast US Attorney Andrew Boutros, Saying He ‘Tarnished’ His Office’s Reputation
Week in Review: Indiana Bears, Mendoza Runs and an Obama Center Preview
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter