Stories by Matt Masterson
Pritzker: Illinois Surpasses Goal of 10,000 Daily COVID-19 Tests
New statewide totals: 39,658 cases, 1,795 deaths
Weeks ago, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he wanted to perform 10,000 coronavirus tests a day. On Friday, Pritzker announced Illinois has reached and surpassed that mark.
Federal Judge to Hear Testimony on Use of Social Distancing in Cook County Jail
A federal judge will decide whether social distancing and other preventive measures ordered at the Cook County Jail are being properly instituted following calls from criminal justice advocates for additional precautions.
Federal Judge Throws Out Jussie Smollett’s Malicious Prosecution Suit
A federal judge has dismissed a countersuit filed by former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett, who claimed he was maliciously prosecuted for the alleged hoax attack Chicago police say he orchestrated on himself last year.
CPS Seeking More Devices to Bridge Digital Divide During Remote Learning
Chicago Public Schools is planning to hand out more digital devices to students and families who need them as the school district prepares to carry out remote learning plans for the remainder of the academic year.
Cook County Jail Corrections Officer Dies From COVID-19
Sheriff's Office also awaiting autopsy results of second officer who died Sunday
Sheila Rivera, 47, had worked with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office since 2012. Rivera and another corrections officer died Sunday. Officials are awaiting autopsy results to see if his death was related to COVID-19.
Pritzker Announces Schools Closed for In-Person Learning for Rest of Academic Year
New statewide totals: 27,575 cases, 1,134 deaths
“The science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his daily press conference Friday.
Charlie Beck Steps Down as David Brown Becomes Chicago’s New Top Cop
Twenty weeks after he took over as the Chicago Police Department’s interim superintendent, Charlie Beck officially stepped down from his post Wednesday, handing over a badge to the city’s new top cop David Brown.
Sheriff Tom Dart Pushes Back on Criticism Amid COVID-19 Pandemic: ‘I’m Outraged’
Defending his office’s COVID-19 testing and isolation procedures, the Cook County sheriff said Wednesday he took action to prevent the spread of the virus earlier than any other sheriff in the country.
Cook County Sheriff Says Supply of Masks for Detainees, Staff Could Run Out in a Week
Sheriff Tom Dart’s office said it has begun complying with a court order mandating additional protective measures inside the Cook County Jail, but it estimates its supply of surgical masks for detainees and employees will run out in “six to seven more days.”
Pritzker Expanding COVID-19 Testing to Address ‘Huge’ Racial Disparity in Cases, Deaths
New statewide totals: 17,887 cases, 596 deaths
Black residents in Illinois are five times more likely to die of COVID-19 than their white counterparts, according to state officials, who continue to see a “huge disparity” in the number of both COVID-19 cases and deaths based on race.
Second Cook County Jail Detainee Dies of COVID-19
Leslie Pieroni, 51, was pronounced dead Thursday evening at St. Anthony’s Hospital. He had been hospitalized since April 3 after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Judge Rejects Motion Seeking Release of ‘Medically Vulnerable’ Cook County Jail Detainees
The Cook County sheriff must begin implementing additional sanitation and precaution measures at the jail, but a federal judge rejected calls for the release of large numbers of detainees.
More Than 250 Cook County Jail Detainees Have Now Tested Positive for COVID-19
New York Times calls jail ‘the largest-known source of U.S. infections’
Data released by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office shows 251 detainees have so far tested positive for COVID-19, as have 150 Sheriff’s Office employees. On Sunday, the jail recorded its first virus-related death.
Citywide Liquor Curfew Takes Effect Thursday in Chicago, No More Sales After 9 p.m.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the city will begin enforcing a curfew on the sale of liquor in order to prevent “congregate activity” that’s been seen across the city near stores that sell alcohol.
Cook County Jail Reports First Coronavirus-Related Death
Advocacy group: “Cook County officials have blood on their hands”
Detainee Jeffery Pendleton, 59, was pronounced dead late Sunday, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. He had been hospitalized since March 30 after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Pritzker, Lightfoot Tour McCormick Place COVID-19 Facility as Cases, Deaths Soar
Illinois health officials on Friday reported the largest single-day jump in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state – 1, 209 cases and 53 deaths – as Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot toured the alternate care facility at McCormick Place.
Police Board Announces 3 Finalists for Chicago’s Next Top Cop
Two police chiefs from outside Chicago with experience handling mass shootings and a Chicago native who’s risen to the rank of deputy chief are finalists in the city’s search for its next top cop. We profile each of the finalists.
Police: Homicides Increase, But Total Crime Down in Chicago
Citywide crime was down in March compared to last year, but Chicago is currently on pace for more shootings and homicides in 2020.
Report: Illinois Again Leads Nation in Exonerations
For the second year in a row, Illinois saw the highest number of criminal exonerations last year, and once again, that total was driven largely by false convictions tied to a corrupt former Chicago sergeant, according to a new report.
CPS Unveils Remote Learning Plan for Kids During COVID-19 Pandemic
The new instruction plan includes the distribution of 100,000 technology devices to the highest-need families as well as both online and non-digital learning activities.
Cook County Jail Population Decreases as Number of COVID-19 Cases Balloons
Nearly 40 detainees have so far tested positive for the virus at Cook County Jail. Officials on Friday discussed those rapidly changing circumstances and said they’re working to “safely” reduce the detainee population.
What Happens if You Violate Stay-at-Home Order? Police Say Warnings, Fines or Even Arrests
The Chicago Police Department on Wednesday issued warnings to 56 separate groups of people and made one arrest for failing to abide by the governor’s order to stay home.
More COVID-19 Cases Discovered in Cook County Jail
By Wednesday evening, 17 detainees had tested positive
The number of Cook County Jail detainees who have tested positive for COVID-19 nearly tripled between Wednesday morning and evening, according to the sheriff’s office, which has now tested 50 individuals who have begun exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
CPS Approved for $75 Million in Spending to Address COVID-19 Emergency
The Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the spending authority, which CPS says it will use to fund emergency personnel, remote learning and meal distribution.
CPS Board of Education to Hold Virtual Meeting With Limited Public Participation
District seeks permission to spend up to $75M on coronavirus response
Chicago Public Schools is seeking to spend up to $75 million to address and maintain “critical services” during the COVID-19 pandemic. But that request and the rest of the board’s monthly meeting will be heard online rather than in person.
2 Detainees in Cook County Jail Test Positive for COVID-19
The two detainees, ages 18 and 42, each began exhibiting flu-like symptoms last Friday. They are each being held in isolation at the jail’s Cermak Hospital, officials said Monday.
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