Stories by matt masterson

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.

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.