Stories by matt masterson

The Chicago Police Department released video of robbery suspects in incidents that occurred March 14-16, 2024. (Chicago Police / YouTube)

Chicago Police Publish Video of Groups Believed to Be Responsible for Waves of Armed Robberies

Chicago police are searching for at least three groups of men they believe are responsible for more than two dozen armed robberies that occurred over a five-day span earlier this month.

Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty at Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 14, 2019. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Pool / Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Jussie Smollett’s Appeal

Illinois’ high court has agreed to hear an appeal from Jussie Smollett, more than two years after the former “Empire” star was convicted of orchestrating an elaborate hate crime hoax.

Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III are running for the Democratic nomination in the race for Cook County state’s attorney. (Photos provided)

Eileen O’Neill Burke, Clayton Harris Remain Locked in Tight Battle Wednesday to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County State’s Attorney

The latest update in vote totals from the Associated Press came just after 12:30 a.m., as O’Neill Burke continued holding a slight edge over Harris. As of the most recent tally, fewer than 10,000 votes separated the pair. More votes will be counted in the coming days. 

The U.S. Capitol Building (Paula Nardini / Pexels)

Democratic Incumbents Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, Danny Davis Stave Off Primary Challenges

With polls across Illinois officially closed, several longtime incumbent House representatives will soon learn if they’ll retain their Congressional seats or if their challengers will emerge victorious.

Ald. Danny Solis, 25th Ward, appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Nov. 26, 2018.

Prosecutors Planning to Call Ex-Ald. and Federal Informant Danny Solis as Witness in Michael Madigan Corruption Trial

Federal prosecutors disclosed in a motion Monday that they do indeed plan to call Solis as a witness, marking a shift in strategy after they opted against calling him last year to testify against his former colleague, longtime 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

4 People Killed by Gunfire Across Chicago Over the Weekend: Police

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 16 people were shot in 14 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Police vehicle file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Man Charged in Stabbing Death of 11-Year-Old in Edgewater Had Previously Threatened Boy’s Mother

Crosetti Brand, 37, has been charged with numerous felonies including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder following the fatal stabbing of 11-year-old Jaydone Perkins inside his mother’s Edgewater home early Wednesday.

Jackie Wilson responds to a question from the media at a news conference announcing a lawsuit filed on his behalf on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (WTTW News)

Cook County Officials Approve $17M Settlement With Jackie Wilson, Who Said He Was Tortured Into False Murder Confession

The county’s Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted in favor of the deal, which comes years after Jackie Wilson was released and granted a certificate of innocence in the 1982 killings of Chicago police Officers William Fahey and Richard O’Brien.

(WTTW News)

11-Year-Old Boy Killed, Woman Injured in Suspected Domestic Incident on North Side

The incident occurred at around 8 a.m. in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue.

Police vehicle file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

15-Year-Old Girl Among 5 People Killed Overnight in Shootings Across Chicago: Police

The homicides all occurred within a matter of hours between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Jackie Wilson responds to a question from the media at a news conference announcing a lawsuit filed on his behalf on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (WTTW News)

Cook County Board Set to Approve $17M Settlement With Jackie Wilson, Who Spent Decades Behind Bars Following Wrongful Murder Conviction

The Cook County Board of Commissioners will vote on the proposed settlement with Jackie Wilson, who was convicted of the 1982 killings of Chicago police Officers William Fahey and Richard O’Brien, based largely on a false confession he said he gave after he was repeatedly beaten and electroshocked.

(WTTW News)

Reports: Bears Planning to Spend $2B on New Domed Stadium in Chicago

Several news organizations on Monday morning reported that the team has backed off possible plans to build a stadium in suburban Arlington Heights and will instead now provide private funding for a new publicly owned stadium in Chicago.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

1 Person Killed, 12 Wounded in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police

According to the Chicago Police Department, 13 people were shot in 13 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

The Dirksen Courthouse is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois)

Feds Recover $1.4M Allegedly Tied to Cryptocurrency Fraud Scam

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago announced it seized approximately $1.4 million of cryptocurrency, which will be now returned to people who lost their money through an alleged fraud scheme.

(WTTW News)

Homicides in Chicago Down 20% to Start 2024 Compared to Last Year: Police

There have been 64 homicides recorded through February, according to the Chicago Police Department, and 292 shooting victims from 253 total shootings.

A memorial is on display at the funeral of Chicago police Officer Ella French on Aug. 19, 2021. (WTTW News)

Emonte Morgan Convicted of Murder in Fatal 2021 Shooting of Chicago Police Officer Ella French

Officer Ella French was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Aug. 7, 2021. Emonte Morgan, 23, is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

3 Killed by Gunfire Over Holiday Weekend Across Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 29 people were shot in 24 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

‘ComEd Four’ Sentencing Dates Delayed Until Later This Year as U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Separate Bribery Case

U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber on Thursday ruled that the “ComEd Four” will not be sentenced until after the high court issues its ruling in a separate case involving James Snyder, a former Indiana mayor who was found guilty of accepting a bribe.

A memorial is on display at the funeral of Chicago police Officer Ella French on Aug. 19, 2021. (WTTW News)

Chicago Officer Critically Wounded Alongside Ella French Recounts Shooting Aftermath, Recovery

Ex-Chicago police Officer Carlos Yanez Jr., who was critically wounded in the shooting that left his partner Ella French dead, said he has no recollection of the altercation itself, which left him severely injured.

Chicago police Officer Ella French (@TomAhernCPD / Twitter)

‘Absolute Carnage’: Opening Statements, Testimony Begin in Murder Trial of Officer Ella French’s Alleged Killer

A sea of Chicago police officers and officials filled Judge Ursula Walowski’s fifth-floor courtroom as opening statements got underway at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Tuesday, more than two and a half years after Officer Ella French was killed.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

14-Year-Old Boy Among 3 Killed in Chatham Home Shooting Sunday: Police

According to the Chicago Police Department, four people were killed by gunfire and another 17 people were wounded in separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Chicago police Officer Ella French (@TomAhernCPD / Twitter)

Chicago Police Officer Ella French’s Alleged Killer Set to Go to Trial This Week

Jury selection in the trial of Emonte Morgan is set to begin Monday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building — more than two and a half years after he allegedly shot and killed the 29-year-old police officer.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

With Democratic National Convention Coming to Chicago, CPS Board OKs Delayed Start Date For 2024-25 School Year

The DNC is scheduled to run from Aug. 19-22 at the United Center. Classes this fall for CPS students are now slated to begin Aug. 26 and run until June 12, 2025.

Demonstrators march in Chicago on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 to show their support for removing police officers from schools. (WTTW News)

CPS Board Approves Plan to Remove Resource Officers From Schools

The seven-member board unanimously approved the resolution, which directs CPS CEO Pedro Martinez to implement a new whole school safety policy, which “must make explicit that the use of SROs within District schools will end by the start of the 2024-2025 school year.”

(WTTW News)

2 Teens Facing Murder Charges in Shooting That Killed 1 Senn High School Student, Wounded 2 Others

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Kashawn Perdue, 17, and a 14-year-old juvenile boy have both been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder following the Jan. 31 killing of Daveon Gibson.

Robert E. Crimo, III appears for a case management meeting before Judge Victoria A. Rossetti at the at the Lake County Courthouse Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024 in Waukegan, Ill. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune via AP, Pool)

Man Charged With Killing 7 People, Wounding Dozens More During Highland Park Parade Set to Stand Trial in February 2025

Robert Crimo III had briefly been set to go to trial this week after he temporarily demanded to represent himself. But after he changed his mind, Judge Victoria Rossetti on Wednesday reset the initial Feb. 24, 2025 trial date.