Stories by Matt Masterson

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has announced a $50,000 reward after an employee was robbed in suburban River Grove Tuesday morning. Another postal carrier was reportedly robbed in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

While the board won’t officially vote on that contract until next week, some members questioned whether the X-rays actually improve safety for students at schools.

In a 5-2 ruling, with Republican justices dissenting, the state's highest court found that the elimination of cash bail is constitutional and will take effect statewide beginning Sept. 18, overturning a lower court ruling that had put that implementation on hold and handing Gov. J.B. Pritzker a major victory.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Monday released her office’s “Do Not Call List” — which she said includes a collection of “disreputable” law enforcement officers who have “propelled Cook County’s reputation as the wrongful conviction capital of the country.”

A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed a bribery charge levied against Commonwealth Edison, months after four former ComEd officials were convicted of attempting to corruptly influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 40 people were shot in 32 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included Ashley Griggs, 41, who was killed in West Garfield Park.

“At the Capitol, he freely and happily walked into a riot and ultimately followed the rioters into the building itself and the personal office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum.

Judge George Strickland set a Nov. 6 trial date for Robert Crimo Jr. during a hearing Friday. Crimo Jr. faces seven counts of reckless conduct for allegedly helping his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a firearm owner’s identification card (FOID) card.

According to a police bulletin, 23 armed robberies occurred between July 8 and July 11 across several community areas, sometimes just minutes apart.

Derrick Claiborne was sentenced in Chicago’s federal court this month after prosecutors said he was arrested at his penthouse apartment on Michigan Avenue while in possession of narcotics and three illegal firearms.

Farragut Career Academy High School security guard Romel Campoverde, 43, appeared in court Wednesday following his arrest on a charge of criminal sexual assault of a victim between the ages of 13-17. He was ordered held on a $100,000 D-bond, meaning he must pay $10,000 to be released from custody.

“Over the past decade, Northwestern has made major and high-profile investments in athletics. But disturbing evidence of harassment and abuse — and high-level efforts to minimize those problems — suggest that we need to get the existing house in order before expanding it,” six university professors wrote.

“Since Friday, I have kept going back to what we should reasonably expect from our head coaches, our faculty and our campus leaders,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in a statement Monday evening. “And that is what led me to make this decision. The head coach is ultimately responsible for the culture of his team.

Days after sexual misconduct accusations were made against Chicago police officers in the 10th District involving migrants, interim Police Superintendent Fred Waller said migrants who remain housed at various police stations need more permanent accommodations.

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 27 total people were shot in 21 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

“I think this might be the first time in CPS history … that you have a board that’s made up of almost every one of us has some experience with CPS — either we’re parents, we’ve served on (Local School Councils), we were students or we were educators,” new board appointee Mariela Morales said

Jose Alvarez, 67, was held without Thursday following his arrest on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder and one count of aggravated battery. Those charges come days after prosecutors say he fatally shot 48-year-old Karina Gonzalez and 15-year-old Daniela Alvarez, and wounded his 18-year-old son.

Brandon Johnson announced that Jianan Shi, the executive director of Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education since 2019, will serve as the board’s president after former president Miguel del Valle stepped down after his term expired last week.

According to police figures, there were nine people killed across Chicago between Friday at 6 p.m. and Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. during a busy holiday weekend. In total, 57 people were shot in 45 separate shooting incidents during that time.

Tuesday marks the one-year anniversary of the mass shooting that left seven dead and 48 more wounded, and 22-year-old Robert Crimo III remains in custody after being indicted on 117 felony charges — including 21 counts of first-degree murder.

According to data from the Illinois EPA, Chicago’s Air Quality Index was at a 185 as of Thursday morning, placing it in the “unhealthy” range. That means older adults, people with heart or lung disease and children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

April Perry, who currently serves as senior counsel overseeing Global Investigations and Fraud and Abuse Prevention at GE HealthCare, has been nominated to become the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois after John Lausch stepped down earlier this year.

The district’s budget for the 2024 fiscal year will contain $4.8 billion in school-level funding, which officials said is an increase of more than $240 million over last year.

Miguel del Valle, who has led Chicago’s Board of Education since 2019, announced he will be leaving his post at the end of this week.

Attorneys for 35-year-old Carlishia Hood announced the lawsuit Tuesday morning, claiming the arrest of Hood and her son was an “obvious rush to judgment” by police following the fatal June 18 shooting.

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez notified Jones College Prep parents and families Monday that Joseph Powers has retired after serving as the high school’s principal since 2008.