Three public listening sessions will be held next week as the board seeks a permanent replacement for Eddie Johnson, who was fired as police superintendent earlier this week.
Stories by Matt Masterson
Man Convicted of Shooting ATF Agent Sentenced to More Than 16 Years in Prison
Matt Masterson | Dec 4, 2019
Ernesto Godinez, 29, the reputed gang member convicted of shooting a federal agent in the head last year on the Southwest Side, has been sentenced to more 200 months in federal prison.
Retired Police Commander Sentenced to Probation for Social Security Theft
Kenneth Johnson pleaded guilty to stealing more than $360,000

Federal prosecutors say Kenneth Johnson continued accepting Social Security checks meant for his mother for more than two decades after her death. His sentence includes six months of community confinement and an order to pay back all the money he stole.
Lightfoot Fires Top Cop Eddie Johnson for ‘Intolerable Actions’
Matt Masterson | Amanda Vinicky | Dec 2, 2019
Mayor Lori Lightfoot makes a bombshell announcement: Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson is terminated, effective immediately. Lightfoot says an inspector general’s investigation revealed Johnson “repeatedly lied” to both the mayor and the public.
Benefit Concert to Help Cover Hospital Bills of Teen Wounded in Police Shooting
Matt Masterson | Nov 29, 2019
Fifteen-year-old Rylan Wilder remains hospitalized after he was shot last week as police trailed a bank robbery suspect in the Old Irving Park neighborhood.
Jason Van Dyke Being Held in Maryland Facility
Matt Masterson | Nov 27, 2019
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is being held in a facility in Baltimore, Maryland, as he awaits placement inside another prison. He was moved out of federal custody this week.
Jason Van Dyke No Longer in Federal Custody
Matt Masterson | Nov 26, 2019
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is no longer being held in a federal prison in New York – or in federal custody, period – but it’s unclear where he will serve out the remainder of his sentence for the murder of black teen Laquan McDonald in 2014.
Family of Teen Shot by Suburban Officer Files Suit Against Bank Robber
Matt Masterson | Nov 25, 2019
The family of Rylan Wilder, who was wounded last week during a confrontation between a bank robbery suspect and police, is suing that suspect and asking local police departments for more information about their son’s shooting.
Family of Mercy Hospital Shooting Victim Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Matt Masterson | Nov 21, 2019
The father of slain pharmacist Dayna Less is suing Mercy Hospital and its security firm, claiming their “systemic failures” allowed a domestic violence incident “escalate into a triple homicide.”
Federal Prosecutors to Participate in ‘Project Guardian’ to Target Chicago Gun Crime
Matt Masterson | Nov 21, 2019
Federal prosecutors in Chicago say their office is entering into a new Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing gun violence through coordinated prosecutions and new or improved background check enforcements.
Smollett Says He Was Maliciously Prosecuted in Counterclaim Against City
Matt Masterson | Nov 20, 2019
Former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett has filed a federal counterclaim against the city of Chicago claiming he owes the city no more money and was maliciously prosecuted for the alleged hoax attack police say he orchestrated on himself.
Expungement Request Denied for Ex-CPD Detective Dante Servin in Rekia Boyd Case
Matt Masterson | Nov 19, 2019
The family of Rekia Boyd erupted into applause Tuesday after a judge denied a request from the man who was charged and acquitted in her killing – a former Chicago police detective – to expunge any record of his criminal case from the public’s view.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx Will Seek Re-Election in 2020
Matt Masterson | Nov 19, 2019
In her first campaign ad for 2020, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx acknowledges missteps in the Jussie Smollett case and calls out critics like President Donald Trump and the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police.
Board of Education to Vote on New Budget, Strike Make-Up Days
Matt Masterson | Nov 18, 2019
Days after the Chicago Teachers Union voted to approve a new five-year contract with the city, the Chicago Board of Education is expected to follow suit at its regular monthly meeting this week.
CTU Members Vote to Ratify 5-Year Contract
Matt Masterson | Nov 15, 2019
Two weeks after ending their historic work stoppage, more than 25,000 rank-and-file Chicago Teachers Union members ratified their new contract with the city.
Ex-Chicago Detective Acquitted in Rekia Boyd Killing Wants Court Records Expunged
Judge will rule on Dante Servin’s petition at a hearing next week

Former Chicago police Detective Dante Servin was found not guilty of Rekia Boyd’s killing in 2016. Now he wants any record of his criminal trial removed from the public eye – a move family members call a “terrible slap in the face.”
CTU’s Strike Remains Suspended. To End it, 25,000 Teachers Must Ratify New Contract
Matt Masterson | Nov 13, 2019
The Chicago Teachers Union’s 11-day strike is suspended, but it’s not officially over until rank-and-file members vote to ratify a five-year tentative contract agreement reached with the city. That vote begins Thursday.
Heating Issues Hit Kenwood Academy High School for 2nd Straight Day
Matt Masterson | Nov 13, 2019
Chicago Public Schools said heating issues at the school had been fixed Tuesday. But on Wednesday the district said several classrooms were suffering from insufficient heat circulation as temperatures across the city remained below freezing.
Kenwood Academy Suffers Heat Loss During Record Cold Spell in Chicago
Matt Masterson | Nov 12, 2019
A broken heater inside a South Side high school left students in classrooms without normal heat circulation on a day with record cold temperatures.
1 Dead, 3 Others Stabbed After Argument Over Minor Car Crash
Matt Masterson | Nov 11, 2019
Chicago police say a 28-year-old man is dead after he was stabbed in the chest during a confrontation on the 5300 block of West Irving Park Road just after 2 a.m. Monday morning.
CPS Enrollment Declines By 6,000 Students
Matt Masterson | Nov 8, 2019
Fewer students are enrolled at Chicago Public Schools this year compared to last year, according to figures released by the district Friday. But CPS says the drop-off is “significantly” smaller than declines in recent school years.
Ex-LAPD Top Cop Charlie Beck Named Interim Chicago Police Superintendent
Matt Masterson | Nov 8, 2019
Charlie Beck, who led the Los Angeles Police Department for nearly a decade, has been tabbed to serve as the interim Chicago police superintendent following Eddie Johnson’s retirement at the end of the year.
Top Cop Eddie Johnson Announces Retirement: ‘It’s Time’
Police superintendent will serve through the end of 2019

It’s official: Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson will retire at the end of the year. He made his announcement Thursday flanked by family members and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, celebrating what he says has been a reduction in crime on his watch.
Mayor Lightfoot on Eddie Johnson Retirement Reports: ‘He’s Still Here’
Matt Masterson | Nov 6, 2019
Earlier this week, Eddie Johnson said he’s been “toying” with the idea of stepping down after three years as police superintendent. But Lightfoot wouldn’t say Wednesday if she expects that to happen soon.
CPS Announces Dates of 5 Make-Up Days Following Teachers Strike
Matt Masterson | Nov 5, 2019
The school district says it will spread five make-up days across the rest of the year. CPS Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade joins us to discuss the 11-day strike, recent negotiations and a new teachers contract.