Stories by Heather Cherone

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling promised to use the power to expand the city's curfew only preemptively, to prevent large teen gatherings from taking place. That goal is shared by Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has repeatedly questioned the constitutionality of the proposal.

The significant surge in shootings by officers in the first five months of 2025 comes more than six years after city and police leaders agreed to extensive oversight from a federal judge after decades of scandals sparked by misconduct and brutality.

Chicagoans can still make an appointment online to apply in-person for a City Key ID card, officials said.

The lack of a contract between the city of Chicago and Commonwealth Edison inked in the 21st century has tied the city’s hands in the fight against climate change and halted efforts to transition to clean energy.

The governor’s appearance is the latest flashpoint in Illinois’ ongoing battle with the GOP-controlled U.S House and the Trump administration, which is attempting to strip self-proclaimed sanctuary cities of all federal funding.

William Carter spent a total of four years in jail after pleading guilty in two cases and being convicted in a third that he alleges were based on false evidence gathered by Watts, who was convicted in 2013 of taking bribes, and other officers.

Dozens of Chicagoans have accused former Chicago Police Detective Kriston Kato of torturing them into confessing to crimes they did not commit. Kato has denied any wrongdoing.

The settlement set to be considered by the Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee Monday would avoid a high-stakes trial for the city in one of the last cases that names Jon Burge, a former police commander who city officials admit tortured and beat more than 100 Black men during his career.

With the endorsement of the City Council’s License and Consumer Protection Committee, the measure is set for a final vote by the full City Council on June 18.

“I am counting on all of Chicago to resist in this moment,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “Whatever particular vulnerable group is being targeted today, another group will be next.”

Lawyer Ebony Lucas sued Ald. Lamont Robinson’s campaign and the 4th Ward Democratic Organization for launching what she called a “coordinated smear campaign.”

In all, Chicago taxpayers spent $120.3 million since January 2019 to resolve 31 lawsuits filed by Chicagoans injured during police pursuits, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has repeatedly told reporters that the diversity of his closest advisers is a source of pride and evidence that he is keeping his campaign promises to work to eliminate systemic racism and expand racial equity at City Hall.

Before the vote, Mayor Brandon Johnson repeatedly questioned whether the measure is constitutional and frequently said that he does not believe that expanding the city’s curfew would stop teen “trends” or “takeovers.”

Just five months into the year, Chicago taxpayers have spent at least $144.5 million to resolve nearly two and a half dozen lawsuits, exceeding its budget to resolve lawsuits alleging police misconduct by more than 76%, city records show.

“This is pretty much a wash,” Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward) said.

A final vote by the full City Council is set for Wednesday. If the measure takes effect, it would reshape Chicago’s curfew law and could set a template for other cities struggling with public safety challenges.

“We’re not going to be intimidated by the tyranny that’s coming from the federal government,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “The diversity of our city is our strength.”

“I’ve decided the most powerful way for me to defend our values and hold Donald Trump accountable is to help Democrats win back the House,” U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood said in a statement.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has routinely touted his efforts to appoint the most racially diverse cabinet in Chicago history, told Pastor Byron Brazier he was pursuing a strategy to “ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business.”

If the plan backed by Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling wins the endorsement of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee at the meeting set for 1 p.m. Tuesday, a final vote could take place as soon as Wednesday.

The announcement is a major blow to Mayor Brandon Johnson, who fully embraced the Bears’ vision for a reimagined Museum Campus and endorsed the team’s call for taxpayers to pick up approximately $2.4 billion of the total $4.75 billion cost of the project.

U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer praised the revised policy as an example of what can be achieved through the consent decree process.

Leonard Gipson spent two years in jail and pleaded guilty in three cases that were based on evidence gathered by former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts, who was convicted in 2013 of taking bribes.

Chicago taxpayers spent a total of $200 million between January 2019 and June 2024 to resolve lawsuits brought by more than three dozen people who were wrongfully convicted based on evidence gathered by the Chicago Police Department, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.

There was snow on the ground and the temperature hovered around 5 degrees in the early morning hours of Feb. 8, 2021, when Briana Keys, now 39, got locked out of her Back of the Yards apartment, according to her lawsuit.