Stories by Matt Masterson
Now Free, Blagojevich Thanks Trump, Blasts ‘Broken’ Justice System
Speaking to a throng of reporters from his North Side home, the impeached former governor expressed his appreciation for President Trump and his efforts to fix “a broken criminal justice system.”
Trump Commutes Prison Sentence of Ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich
President Donald Trump, who had previously floated the idea of using his powers to help the disgraced former governor, commuted the 14-year sentence Tuesday. In making that move, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Trump “abused” his pardon power.
Lightfoot Says Chicago Won’t Be ‘Bullied’ as ICE Ramps Up Immigration Enforcement
New York Times reports specialized ICE Agents being sent to Chicago, sanctuary cities
President Donald Trump will deploy specialized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactical units to nearly a dozen so-called sanctuary cities, including Chicago, according to The New York Times.
R. Kelly Hit With New Federal Indictment in Ongoing Sexual Abuse Case
Already facing the possibility of three separate trials in 2020, the R&B singer was hit with a new federal indictment this week alleging he engaged in sexual activity with a minor in the late 1990s.
Senn High School Staffer Removed Amid Investigation Into Racial Discrimination Allegations
The teacher who was accused by a Hispanic student of telling her to “go back to your country” after she refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance has been removed from the school.
Kim Foxx Allowed to Continue Use of Outside Lawyers in Jussie Smollett Case
Judge Michael Toomin denied a petition from Sheila O’Brien, who argued that Kim Foxx’s hiring of attorneys from outside her office should not be allowed under state statutes.
Senn High School Students Hold Sit-In After Racial Discrimination Allegations
Female student said teacher told her to “go back to your country”
Students inside a North Side high school staged a sit-in Wednesday following allegations that a school staffer told a female student to “go back to (your) country” after she refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance.
Widow of Slain Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer Suing Online Arms Marketplace
“If the Armslist Defendants had acted with reasonable care – instead of callous and willful disregard of human life – Commander Bauer would still be alive,” a federal complaint states.
Mother of Teen Killed Inside Cook County Jail Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Leticia Ruiz says the Cook County sheriff failed to protect her son from a reputed gang member who allegedly beat him to death inside the jail earlier this month, and that the “vicious and violent” beating was avoidable.
Grand Jury Indicts Jussie Smollett in Alleged Hoax Attack
Six-count indictment accuses actor of making four separate false reports
Nearly a year after he was charged with lying to police about orchestrating an attack on himself, the former “Empire” actor is again facing charges in Cook County court.
12 Men Have Convictions Tossed in Latest Mass Exoneration Tied to Ex-Chicago Sergeant
Nearly 100 felony drug convictions tied to disgraced former Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts have been tossed out since 2017.
New Bill Could Give Illinois Students Time Off to Address Mental Health Issues
State Sen. Rob Martwick says the bill would grant students up to five excused absences from class to let them “take care of their mental health, just like they would be with a broken bone or the flu.”
Chicago Police Union President Faces 4 Challengers in March Election
Officers in Chicago’s largest police union will have a choice in their leadership next month as the organization enters its third straight year without a contract, a department overhaul and an impending decision on a new superintendent.
Chicago Police Make Arrest in Blue Line Passenger Shooting
The arrest came in large part, police said, due to surveillance footage captured by the CTA and witnesses who identified the suspect in photo arrays.
Lincoln Park HS Leader Out Amid Allegation of ‘Improper Contact’ With Student
Chicago Public Schools has opened an investigation into Judith Gibbs after a video shared with students allegedly shows her grabbing a student’s face inside the school.
Outgoing CPS Watchdog Admits Some Complaints Against Him Were ‘Justified’
Inspector General Nicholas Schuler says Mayor Lightfoot requested resignation
CPS Inspector General Nicholas Schuler said allegations that he made sexist or racist comments are “totally baseless.” But he admitted that he was a “frequently impatient boss” who drove his employees “sometimes excessively hard.”
Passenger Shot on CTA Blue Line Train at UIC-Halsted Station
The victim is in “very serious” condition after he was shot once as he rode a Blue Line train in what police believe may have been a targeted robbery attempt.
CPS Internal Watchdog Steps Down Amid Report of Investigation
Nicholas Schuler submitted his resignation Monday, just days after a report by the Chicago Sun-Times detailed allegations of a “toxic workplace” inside his office.
Police: Shootings, Homicides Increase in 2020 Despite Overall Decline in Violent Crime
Interim Superintendent Beck calls increases “alarming”
Chicago saw a notable uptick in shootings and homicides in the first month of 2020, but police say that overall, violent crime incidents in Chicago actually decreased in comparison to January 2019.
Charlie Beck Announces ‘Transformative Overhaul’ of CPD Organization
A massive restructuring plan for the Chicago Police Department aims to streamline operations and put the department in a better position to comply with the federal consent decree.
Jussie Smollett’s Attorneys Seek Documents Related to Firing of Eddie Johnson
Attorneys for the former “Empire” actor subpoenaed Chicago’s inspector general, requesting documents tied to an October 2019 incident in which the city’s top cop was found asleep behind the wheel of his car.
Jussie Smollett Case Still Top of Mind One Year After Incident
Wednesday marks one year since Jussie Smollett reported to police he’d been the victim of a bigoted attack near his Streeterville home. The case continues to make regular headlines, particularly as Cook County’s state’s attorney seeks re-election. We review the case.
Timeline: The Jussie Smollett Incident
On Jan. 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett reported to Chicago police that he’d been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. We review the turning points in the case.
Report: Chicago Police Prioritize Arrests of Sex Sellers Over Buyers, Traffickers
The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation found that while overall prostitution-related arrests in Chicago fell by half between 2013 and 2017, the arrest of sellers of sex made up an increasingly large percentage of that total.
Von Steuben Staffer Removed Amid Allegation of Inappropriate Contact with Student
“Please know that we are taking this situation seriously, and we remain committed to providing your children with a safe, positive learning environment where they can reach their full potential,” the school’s principal wrote in a letter Thursday.
Chicago Man Arrested for Red Line Attack, Robbery
Chicago police say surveillance photos released earlier this month helped detectives identify the offender.
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Months After Johnson Said It Wasn’t Necessary, CPD Updates Policy to Allow Probes of Federal Agents for Actions During Immigration Raids
More Than 700 CPS Employees Disciplined for Misconduct Over 1 Year, 10 Faced Allegations of Sexual Abuse
Shedd Welcomes 4 Belugas Rescued From Defunct Canadian Water Park
Illinois Reports 355 Confirmed and Probable Cases of Cyclosporiasis as Investigation Into Sources Continues
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