Stories by Matt Masterson
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.
Police: Men Sought in String of Northwest Side Robberies
More than a dozen robberies reported early Monday morning
A group of men carried out more than a dozen armed robberies in the Albany Park neighborhood early Monday, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Activists Say ‘No Amazon,’ Call on Mayor to Restore Shuttered CPS Schools
Community organizers opposing a new wave of school closures criticized Chicago’s pursuit of landing Amazon’s second headquarters, saying minority residents are being pushed aside to make way for the tech giant.
ISBE Announces Hearings on CPS Special Education Practices
State education officials interested in examining Chicago Public Schools’ special education offerings will hold open hearings this month after families, stakeholders and a media report stoked concerns last year of possible “systemic issues.”
Chicago Students Call for Gun Reform in Massive Walkout
Thousands of students from Chicago schools, including Lake View High School, joined in the nationwide protest held one month after a shooting left 17 dead inside a high school in Parkland, Florida.
CPS CEO: No Discipline for Students Participating in Protest Wednesday
Students from dozens of schools across the city are planning to take part in a 17-minute walkout Wednesday morning, with each minute representing a life lost during the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Florida high school.
Not Guilty Plea for Man Charged in Killing of CPD Cmdr. Paul Bauer
Shomari Legghette, 44, pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder on Monday in front of more than a dozen Chicago police officers.
Grand Jury Indicts Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Police Commander Bauer
More criminal charges could be on the way for the four-time felon accused in the shooting death of Chicago Police Department Cmdr. Paul Bauer.
Van Dyke Judge: Trial Timeline Won’t Be ‘Run By The Public’
Protesters call for trial start date more than two years after case first began
In 2015, Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald. But a start date for the trial is likely still months away.
CPS Revamping School Funding, Removing Early Year Cuts
Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson says principals won’t have to worry about early school year cuts this fall, and that CPS will give them “more time, predictability, and support during the budget process.”
Suburban Postal Employees Convicted in Drug Delivery Ring
A pair of U.S. Postal Service employees in the south suburbs face more than two decades in prison after they were convicted this month for their role in a marijuana delivery ring.
Chicago Students Talk Gun Violence with Parkland Shooting Survivors
Chicago students and activists spent Saturday afternoon at the Florida home of a Parkland shooting survivor and her classmates to discuss the impact gun violence has had on their lives.
6 Chicagoans Charged With Defrauding Millions from US Education Department
Six former employees of the shuttered Center for Employment Training’s Chicago location allegedly swindled millions from the U.S. government using “fake students” and forged records.
Trending
2026 Chicago Festival Guide
Who Is Running, or Thinking About Running, to Become Chicago’s Next Mayor
Deal Reached to Sell Chicago Parking Meters to Investment Firm, Alderpeople Say
Rock Star: Meet the Guy Who Excavated O’Hare’s 50-Ton Boulder, and Yes, He Has Thoughts About the Name
Former CPD Supt. Larry Snelling Starts Collecting $190K Annual Police Pension, Records Show
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter