Stories by matt masterson

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.

Flooding in Chicago on July 6, 2023. (WTTW News)

Chicago Suing Oil, Gas Companies Over ‘Climate Deception’

Mayor Brandon Johnson announced the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court, against BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, Shell and their largest trade association, the American Petroleum Institute.

Youth activists organized a peaceful march to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s home on Aug. 13, 2020, to demand the removal of resource officers from Chicago Public Schools. (Matt Masterson / WTTW News)

Chicago Public Schools Set to Stop Using Resource Officers by Start of Next School Year, Resolution States

A new resolution from the city’s Board of Education directs Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez to enact 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.”

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

3 People Killed by Gunfire, 2 Young Boys Wounded in Holiday Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 19 people were injured or killed in 16 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

CPS Shows Strong Academic Recovery After COVID-19 Pandemic, Study Finds

District officials are lauding the findings from Harvard and Stanford researchers, which showed CPS was first in reading recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic among large school districts across the country.

Left: A photo of 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero. (Provided by family) Right: A migrant shelter located at 2241 S. Halsted St. (WTTW News)

Autopsy Reveals Sepsis, Other Viruses Caused Death of 5-Year-Old Migrant Boy Who Fell Ill at Pilsen Shelter

Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office records indicate Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero’s death was ruled “natural” and attributed to sepsis and other viruses, including COVID-19, adenovirus and rhinovirus/enterovirus.

Leighton Criminal Court Building (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

‘The Need is So Vital’: Cook County Court Clerk Launches New Department Focused on Expungements

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez on Thursday cut the ribbon on her office’s new Expungement Department, housed at the Leighton Criminal Court Building at 26th Street and California Avenue.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Public Schools Set to Cut Ties With Aramark Cleaning Management Company

The Board of Education next week will vote on whether to replace Aramark with seven other vendor companies to provide custodial and professional services for district schools.

(WTTW News)

The Northwestern Hazing Scandal: A Timeline of Allegations, Investigations and Lawsuits

Examining the rapidly unfolding hazing scandal that led to the firing of Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald and threw the university into turmoil.

Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald appears on “Chicago Tonight” in a file photo. (WTTW News)

Intent on Coaching Again, Pat Fitzgerald Pushing for December Trial Date in Lawsuit Against Northwestern

During a hearing Tuesday, Fitzgerald’s attorney Dan Webb argued that the case would have to go to trial later this year in order for Fitzgerald to have any chance of getting a job during the next coaching cycle ahead of the 2025 college football season.

Tim Mapes is pictured at the Dirksen Federal Building on Aug. 7, 2023. (Capitol News Illinois)

Madigan’s Ex-Chief of Staff Tim Mapes Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison Following Perjury Conviction

U.S. District Judge John Kness will hand down the sentence during a hearing in a Chicago courtroom Monday — more than five months after Mapes was convicted of making false declarations and attempted obstruction of justice.

(WTTW News)

Sentencing Date for Convicted Ex-Ald. Ed Burke Pushed Back to June 24

Judge Virginia Kendall initially set his sentencing date for June 19 — which is also the Juneteenth holiday — but on Friday she pushed that date back to June 24.

(WTTW News)

12-Year-Old Among 2 Girls Charged in String of Chicago Retail Thefts

Chicago police on Friday announced criminal charges against two girls, ages 12 and 17, after they allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of merchandise from a half dozen different stores over the past few weeks and months.

(WTTW News)

Will Chicago Renew its ShotSpotter Contract? Public Sounds Off on Controversial Technology During Community Hearing

The city’s current contract with SoundThinking — which was previously known as ShotSpotter — expires Feb. 16. Mayor Brandon Johnson made a campaign promise to end the contract, but has not yet indicated whether he’ll renew the deal.