Stories by Matt Masterson
4 Northwestern University Employees Injured by Falling Tree
| Matt Masterson
According to a statement from the Evanston Police Department, three of the four people struck were hospitalized with “serious injuries,” while a fourth was treated at the scene. Northwestern confirmed all four people are university employees.
Father of Man Charged in Highland Park Parade Shooting Pleads Not Guilty to Reckless Conduct Charges
| Matt Masterson
Robert Crimo, Jr., 58, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of felony reckless conduct during a brief hearing Thursday, one day after a Lake County grand jury indicted him on those charges.
Judge Rejects R. Kelly’s Request For New Trial a Week Ahead of Federal Sentencing
| Matt Masterson
A federal judge has denied R. Kelly’s request for a new trial, just a week before he is set to be sentenced on child pornography charges following his conviction in Chicago last year.
COPA ‘Unclear’ if Man Fired Shots At Police Before Being Killed by Officers in Irving Park Shooting
| Matt Masterson
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday said it is “unclear, nor has it been determined” by the office whether the man discharged his firearm at two officers before being fatally shot by police.
Man Tied to ‘Romance Scam’ Fraud Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison
| Matt Masterson
A U.S. district judge in Chicago on Wednesday sentenced Olaniyi Nasiru Ojikutu, 39, to 88 months in prison after he pleaded guilty last year to a count of wire fraud. He and nine others were charged as part of “Operation Gold Phish” — an investigation into cyber scams that primarily targeted elderly victims.
Shooting Victim Dakotah Earley Suing Lightfoot, City Over CPD Vehicle Pursuit Policy
| Matt Masterson
The lawsuit comes nine months after Tyshon Brownlee allegedly robbed and shot 24-year-old Dakotah Earley, who was walking in the 1300 block of West Webster Avenue in the early morning hours of May 6.
Chicago Man Struck, Killed Pedestrian Visiting City While Street Racing Last Year: Prosecutors
| Matt Masterson
Aaron Guerrero, 27, was charged Wednesday with reckless homicide and aggravated street racing, months after he allegedly struck and killed 40-year-old Shawman Meireis, a Florida woman visiting Chicago last August.
Chicago Police Fatally Shoot Man After Confrontation Outside Irving Park Bar
| Matt Masterson
Police Superintendent David Brown said the shooting occurred just after 3 a.m. in the 3700 block of North Troy Street. The man who was killed has not yet been identified.
UIC Faculty Vote to Ratify New Contract Agreement
| Matt Masterson
The UIC United Faculty on Tuesday announced its members had voted in favor of the new deal, which applies to all 1,500 members of the tenure and non-tenure bargaining units.
16-Year-Old Boy Among 3 People Killed Over Weekend in Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 20 people were shot in 18 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Chicago Man Charged in Attack of CTA Worker at Downtown Blue Line Station
| Matt Masterson
James Jackson, 55, appeared in court Friday on charges of aggravated battery of a transit employee and aggravated battery of a victim over 60 years old after he allegedly struck a CTA worker at the Washington Blue Line station.
Chicago Woman Concealed Mother's Body in Freezer for Nearly 2 Years, Prosecutors Say
| Matt Masterson
Eva Bratcher allegedly bought a freezer a week after her elderly mother died and used it to conceal her body for nearly two years before it was discovered by police at their Northwest Side home earlier this week.
Ex-Chicago Police Officer Allegedly Lied Repeatedly to Dodge Numerous Traffic Citations
| Matt Masterson
Jeffrey Kriv, 56, has been charged with four felony counts of perjury and five felony counts of forgery, according to the Chicago Office of Inspector General.
Chicago Tattoo Artist Charged With Sexually Abusing Customers at His Home Days Before Trial
| Matt Masterson
Miguel Deleon, who was set to go to trial this week on charges that he sexually assaulted two customers at his home, has been arrested and now faces new charges for allegedly sexually abusing or assaulting three more women under similar circumstances.
Elgin School District U-46 Leader Tapped as Illinois’ New Education Superintendent
| Matt Masterson
“Dr. Tony Sanders is an extraordinary choice for State Superintendent of Education,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.
Cook County Not Pursuing Sex Crime Charges Against R. Kelly Following Federal Convictions
| Matt Masterson
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Monday announced her office will be dropping its case against Kelly — nearly four years after he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual assault and abuse.
2 Men Killed in Separate Shootings Early Monday: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, 13 people were wounded by gunfire over the weekend between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Those victims survived their wounds, but two men were killed in shootings just after 6 a.m. Monday.
Illinois AG Says Arguments Against Cash Bail Elimination ‘Flawed For Multiple Reasons’
| Matt Masterson
“The circuit court’s decision finding the detention provisions unconstitutional should be reversed,” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's office wrote in a brief Thursday.
Teen Charged with Fatally Shooting 17-Year-Old During Meetup to Sell Shoes in West Pullman
| Matt Masterson
Tony Mason III, 18, was held without bail Thursday after being charged with numerous felonies including first-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder stemming from a Sunday shooting that left 17-year-old Jordan Nixon dead.
CPS Watchdog Finds ‘Concerning’ Trends in School-Based Investigations, Vendor Background Checks
| Matt Masterson
Deputy Inspector General Amber Nesbitt said her office has seen a rise in the number of district schools, charter schools and vendors that have launched investigations into sexual misconduct allegations without contacting the inspector general or CPS.
UIC Strike Suspended After Faculty, Administration Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
| Matt Masterson
Classes and labs will resume Monday as employees represented by the UIC United Faculty return to work after a four-year deal was struck during a nine-hour bargaining session Sunday.
Chicago Police To Increase Security at Lunar New Year Celebrations After Massacre in California
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Police Department officials, alderpeople, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other city departments spoke with leaders in the city’s Asian American Pacific Islander community Sunday night to discuss the California shooting that left 10 dead.
30 People Shot, 6 Fatally, in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police
| Matt Masterson
According to the Chicago Police Department, there were 27 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included two 18-year-olds who were killed in different shootings Sunday.
Negotiations Resume Between UIC Faculty, Administration Amid Ongoing Strike
| Matt Masterson
University officials said the sides had agreed to resume bargaining Friday and could continue talks into the weekend to secure a new contract agreement.
Chicago Police Warn Residents After Wave of Vehicle Thefts on Northwest Side
| Matt Masterson
According to a Chicago Police Department community alert published Friday, 22 Hyundai and Kia vehicles have been stolen across the 25th police district in early 2023.
Lawsuit Alleges DCFS Has Left Children Jailed Despite Orders For Their Release
| Matt Masterson
A federal lawsuit alleges that rather than housing children in appropriate settings, DCFS allowed them to remain locked in juvenile jails without access to proper educational, medical and mental health supports.
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