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.
Stories by matt masterson
Autopsy Reveals Sepsis, Other Viruses Caused Death of 5-Year-Old Migrant Boy Who Fell Ill at Pilsen Shelter
Feb 16, 2024 | Matt Masterson
‘The Need is So Vital’: Cook County Court Clerk Launches New Department Focused on Expungements
Feb 15, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
Chicago Public Schools Set to Cut Ties With Aramark Cleaning Management Company
Feb 14, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
The Northwestern Hazing Scandal: A Timeline of Allegations, Investigations and Lawsuits
Feb 13, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Examining the rapidly unfolding hazing scandal that led to the firing of Northwestern head football coach Pat Fitzgerald and threw the university into turmoil.
Intent on Coaching Again, Pat Fitzgerald Pushing for December Trial Date in Lawsuit Against Northwestern
Feb 13, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
Madigan’s Ex-Chief of Staff Tim Mapes Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison Following Perjury Conviction
Feb 12, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
Sentencing Date for Convicted Ex-Ald. Ed Burke Pushed Back to June 24
Feb 9, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
12-Year-Old Among 2 Girls Charged in String of Chicago Retail Thefts
Feb 9, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
Will Chicago Renew its ShotSpotter Contract? Public Sounds Off on Controversial Technology During Community Hearing
Feb 8, 2024 | Matt Masterson
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.
Friday Deadline for Cook County Residents to Apply for FEMA Funding After September Flash Floods
Feb 7, 2024 | Matt Masterson
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, renters and homeowners have until 11:59 p.m. Friday to apply for the disaster assistance, which comes more than five months after rain and flooding wreaked havoc around Cook County.
Jussie Smollett Asking Illinois Supreme Court to Review Hoax Hate Crime Convictions
Feb 6, 2024 | Matt Masterson
The former “Empire” star on Monday filed a petition to the state’s high court after an appellate court upheld his 2021 convictions on five counts of disorderly conduct.
CTU-Backed Educators at Instituto del Progreso Latino Charter Schools Officially Begin Strike Tuesday
Feb 6, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Chicago Teachers Union-backed educators at two Instituto del Progreso Latino charter schools are going on strike after they say little progress was made during the latest round of contract negotiations over the weekend.
2 People Killed in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police
Feb 5, 2024 | Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 11 people were shot in 11 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Shootings, Homicides in Chicago Both Down at Least 25% to Start 2024, According to Police
Feb 2, 2024 | Matt Masterson
According to the Chicago Police Department, there were 31 homicides recorded through the first month of 2024. That’s the lowest total for any January since 2019 (23 homicides) and the third-fewest in the last decade.
CPS Proposes Delaying First Day of 2024-25 School Year With Democratic National Convention Coming to Chicago
Feb 1, 2024 | Matt Masterson
CPS on Thursday released its proposed calendars for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years, which included a start date of Aug. 26 for the upcoming year due to the “estimated influx of 75,000 visitors: coming to Chicago for the convention.
3 Senn High School Students Shot, 1 Fatally, Near Edgewater Neighborhood School
Jan 31, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling confirmed the shooting occurred just after 3:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of West Thorndale Avenue, just blocks away from Senn’s campus.
‘We’ll Adjust’: Top Cop Larry Snelling Responds After Mayor Johnson Expresses Support For Removing School Resource Officers
Jan 31, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Speaking Wednesday before the Economic Club of Chicago, Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said police officers will always have some role in school safety, even if they’re no longer working inside schools.
Trio of 15-Year-Olds Charged After Armed Robbery at CTA Red Line Stop
Jan 31, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Chicago police on Tuesday morning announced that two boys and a girl have been charged with armed robbery. The boys also each face an additional count of armed robbery stemming from a separate incident Monday.
Prosecutors Ask Judge to Sentence Madigan’s Ex-Chief of Staff Tim Mapes to As Much as 5 Years in Prison Following Perjury Conviction
Jan 30, 2024 | Matt Masterson
In a sentencing memo filed Monday, the government asked a federal judge to sentence Mapes to between 51 and 63 months in prison following his conviction last August on charges of making false declarations and attempted obstruction of justice.
Innovations High School Closed Monday After 2 Students Killed in Loop Shooting
Jan 29, 2024 | Matt Masterson
In a message posted on its webpage, Innovations High School informed students that classes would be canceled Monday and then resume Tuesday.
2 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend Across Chicago: Police
Jan 29, 2024 | Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 13 people were shot across the city between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
2 Innovations High School Students Killed in Afternoon Loop Shooting: Police
Jan 26, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Two teen boys were fatally shot as they left their high school Friday afternoon in the Loop.
Instituto del Progreso Latino Charter Teachers Announce February Strike Date
Jan 26, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Chicago Teachers Union-backed educators at a pair of Instituto del Progreso Latino charter schools could go on strike early next month after more than two years of bargaining.
CPS Board Approves $800K Payouts to Settle 2015 Prussing Elementary Carbon Monoxide Leak Lawsuits
Jan 25, 2024 | Matt Masterson
The seven-member board voted unanimously in favor of the agreements, which would settle a pair of lawsuits filed by Prussing parents after at least 71 students and seven adults were taken to the hospital as a result of the leak.
Chicago Police Officer, Sister Avoid Jail Time Following U.S. Capitol Breach Convictions: Reports
Jan 24, 2024 | Matt Masterson
CBS News reported a federal judge in Washington D.C. sentenced Karol and Agnieszka Chwiesiuk each to three months home detention and three years probation after they were found guilty last year on multiple misdemeanor charges.
CPS Could Pay $800K to Settle Lawsuits Stemming From 2015 Carbon Monoxide Leak That Hospitalized Dozens of Students
Jan 24, 2024 | Matt Masterson
Chicago education officials this week could vote to approve more than $800,000 in payments to settle a pair of lawsuits filed in response to a 2015 carbon monoxide leak at a Northwest Side elementary school that left several dozen students and staff members hospitalized.