Stories by Matt Masterson

What happened to students caught up in one of the largest waves of school closures in U.S. history? A University of Chicago study suggests the controversial move did not result in academic gains.

Chicago Public Schools is creating a chief position to oversee equity, diversity and inclusion. “Talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson told staff.

Fewer than 2 percent of people arrested in Chicago last year met with an attorney while in police custody. Local advocates are looking to boost those numbers with a day of service Saturday.

Despite regularly placing on “best schools” lists, New Trier High School did not earn a nod last week from U.S. News & World Report. How those rankings are determined – and why some high-performing schools get left out.

State education officials have recommended additional oversight of special education policies at Chicago Public Schools after finding the district violated federal law.

“That just goes to show you how many illegal guns get out here on the streets of Chicago,” CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson told media Thursday.

A pair of Chicago Police officers allegedly paid off informants with stolen goods to obtain search warrants, and falsified police reports to cover up their actions.

Authorities say they investigated abuse allegations made by 35 former ETHS students against longtime theater teacher Bruce Siewerth. “The lack of prosecution is not due to lack of evidence,” Evanston Police Cmdr. Ryan Glew said.

Chicago Public Schools once again claims the top spots on an annual list of the state’s best public high schools. Which schools made the cut.

In a 10-page written order, Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan noted that as many as nine witnesses called to testify Friday “could be exposed to harm” if their names were to be made public.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel says there could be “serious consequences” after five Chicago Fire Department paramedics filed a lawsuit alleging ongoing sexual harassment in the workplace.

A federal discrimination lawsuit filed Tuesday against the city demonstrates what five women describe as a “culture” of sexual harassment and discrimination within the Chicago Fire Department.

After spending 22 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Thomas Sierra is suing the city of Chicago and the detective he claims framed him for a 1995 murder.

The 23-year-old suspect is accused of carjacking multiple vehicles last week. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

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.

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.

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.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson is asking for community support as the district attempts to fix “systemic problems” with its special education programming.

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.

The Chicago Police Board may seek to fire an officer who shot and killed two people during a domestic disturbance call in 2015.

Chicago won’t have to give up its “sanctuary city” policies in order to receive federal grant money, an appeals court ruled Thursday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The former security officer claims he was improperly trained and later defamed by the head of the Chicago Department of Aviation.