Stories by Matt Masterson
Van Dyke Case: Documents Could be Unsealed, Change of Venue Motion Pending
The judge in the high-profile murder case could unseal documents not yet seen by the public later this month. A defense expert witness also testified Wednesday about a possible change of venue in the case.
Tribune Tower Site Redesign Could Include Chicago’s 2nd Tallest Skyscraper
Proposal details 1,400-foot tower, 300 new condos
The site of the Tribune Tower will include nearly 300 condominiums and what would be one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers under a new redevelopment proposal developers believe will both revitalize and preserve the international landmark.
US Supreme Court Won’t Hear Blagojevich Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday announced it will not be taking up former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s appeal of his 14-year prison sentence.
Chicago Aviation Officers Sue City, Claim Job Histories Were ‘Erased’
Class action suit comes a year after incident on board United flight
Nearly 300 Chicago aviation officers are suing to reclaim their status as law enforcement officers, a title they lost following a highly publicized incident on board a United plane last year.
Aviation Officer Fired After United Dragging Incident Suing City, Airline
The former security officer claims he was improperly trained and later defamed by the head of the Chicago Department of Aviation.
CPS Students Shrink Achievement Gap, But Overall Progress Remains Stable
The achievement gap between white and minority students within Chicago Public Schools has shrunk, according to a national assessment, but the shift wasn’t caused by higher student scores.
Emanuel: Rauner Abdicated ‘Primary Responsibility’ With Gun Dealer Veto
Advocates of a bill aimed at strengthening state gun dealer regulations continue pushing for its passage, even after it was vetoed by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
UChicago Student Shot By Campus Police Now Facing Criminal Charges
The University of Chicago student shot by campus police this week now faces a felony charge of assaulting an officer, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Van Dyke Defense Seeking New Trial Venue, But Request a Tall Order
Have Cook County residents been so inundated with media coverage of the Laquan McDonald shooting case as to be incapable of rendering a fair verdict? A look at change of venue motions.
Chicago Top Cop Stands by Letter in LeGrier Investigation
“At the end of the day I don’t have the luxury of basing my decisions on public pressure, political pressure,” CPD Superintendent Eddie Johnson said, explaining why he rejected COPA findings in the death of Quintonio LeGrier.
Chicago Crime Drops for 13th Straight Month
There have been 22 percent fewer homicides and 25 percent fewer shootings citywide in 2018 over the same period last year, according to Chicago Police Department data.
CPS: Most Incoming Freshmen Matched With Top 3 High School Choices
Eighth graders in Chicago Public Schools will find out Friday afternoon what high schools they’ve been matched with as part of the district’s new online application system.
Rare ‘Head of Christ’ Originals Found in Chicago Thrift Store Sell for $135K
Two years after finding a pair of rare artworks in a Chicago thrift store, Paul Beaty has sold them for a combined $135,000 to an author in Colorado. The two connected after seeing a Chicago Tonight story in February about the discovery.
Van Dyke Case: Judge Planning for Summer Trial
It’s been more than two years since Jason Van Dyke pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the death of Laquan McDonald. The judge in the case now says he wants the trial to get moving in the coming months.
Apple Brings New iPad, Education Software to Lane Tech Event
CEO Tim Cook: CPS among most diverse, forward-thinking school districts
Apple CEO Tim Cook had nothing but praise for the city of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools during one of the company’s signature product reveals Tuesday morning in Roscoe Village.
Cook County Sues Facebook, Cambridge Analytica for Consumer Fraud
Facebook’s “disregard and misuse” of users’ personal data allowed a foreign firm to profile 50 million voters without their consent prior to the 2016 election, and according to a new lawsuit, it may have violated Illinois state law.
Police Name Successor to Slain CPD Commander Paul Bauer
The 18th Police District has a new commander more than a month after Paul Bauer was gunned down outside the Thompson Center.
Chicago Teen to Victims of Gun Violence: ‘I Cry With You, I Scream With You’
Local teens heading to D.C. on Saturday for March For Our Lives
Students calling for an end to gun violence will lead hundreds of marches across the country this weekend. Meet a Chicago teen invited to speak at the national March For Our Lives event in Washington, D.C.
CPS Adds STEM Magnet Programs at 3 More Elementary Schools
The Board of Education voted Wednesday to add STEM-focused magnet programs at Brown, Claremont and Jungman elementary schools beginning this fall.
Police: Men Sought in String of Northwest Side Robberies
More than a dozen robberies reported early Monday morning
A group of men carried out more than a dozen armed robberies in the Albany Park neighborhood early Monday, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Activists Say ‘No Amazon,’ Call on Mayor to Restore Shuttered CPS Schools
Community organizers opposing a new wave of school closures criticized Chicago’s pursuit of landing Amazon’s second headquarters, saying minority residents are being pushed aside to make way for the tech giant.
ISBE Announces Hearings on CPS Special Education Practices
State education officials interested in examining Chicago Public Schools’ special education offerings will hold open hearings this month after families, stakeholders and a media report stoked concerns last year of possible “systemic issues.”
Chicago Students Call for Gun Reform in Massive Walkout
Thousands of students from Chicago schools, including Lake View High School, joined in the nationwide protest held one month after a shooting left 17 dead inside a high school in Parkland, Florida.
CPS CEO: No Discipline for Students Participating in Protest Wednesday
Students from dozens of schools across the city are planning to take part in a 17-minute walkout Wednesday morning, with each minute representing a life lost during the Feb. 14 mass shooting at a Florida high school.
Not Guilty Plea for Man Charged in Killing of CPD Cmdr. Paul Bauer
Shomari Legghette, 44, pleaded not guilty to charges including first-degree murder on Monday in front of more than a dozen Chicago police officers.
Grand Jury Indicts Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Police Commander Bauer
More criminal charges could be on the way for the four-time felon accused in the shooting death of Chicago Police Department Cmdr. Paul Bauer.
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