Stories by Matt Masterson
Retired Police Commander Allegedly Stole $360,000 in Social Security Funds
| Matt Masterson
Kenneth Johnson spent more than three decades with the Chicago Police Department, but federal prosecutors allege the former commander stole $360,000 in Social Security funds over the course of 23 years.
State Comptroller Susana Mendoza Running for Chicago Mayor
| Paris Schutz
She’s officially in. One week after winning re-election as comptroller, and after weeks of speculation and leaks, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza will run for mayor of Chicago.
Former First Lady Comes Home to Kick Off International Book Tour
| Brandis Friedman
Two of Chicago’s most famous women sit down for an intimate chat. What Michelle Obama told Oprah Winfrey – and 18,000 of her closest friends – to kick off her book tour.
Responding to Hate Speech in Schools
| Alexandra Silets
A recent spike in hate incidents at Oak Park and River Forest High School leads to a community march – and a criminal charge. A teacher and administrator tell us how they’re responding.
Where Do Illinois Republicans Go From Here?
| Nicole Cardos
President Donald Trump has been vocal on the topic of where the GOP stands, but where do Republicans in Illinois think they’re headed?
Is Rent Control the Fix for Affordable Housing in Chicago?
| Erica Gunderson
Chicago voters overwhelmingly favor lifting the state’s ban on rent control, but is it really the way to more affordable housing?
Lawmakers Vote to Raise Smoking Age, Despite Rauner’s Objections
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner – once known for exerting an iron grip over Republican legislators that had them follow him in lockstep – got a taste Wednesday of his lame-duck status.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 15-18
| Kristen Thometz
Twinkling lights, new toys, barrel-aged beer and holiday markets usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
All Clear After Bomb Threat at State Capitol
| Amanda Vinicky
Legislative activity has resumed at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday afternoon, following a threat of a bomb in the upper chambers of the statehouse.
Illinois Senate Weighs Bill to Limit Antibiotics in Meat
| Alex Ruppenthal
Lawmakers are set to consider legislation this week that would limit the use of antibiotics in food-producing animals, a practice that has been shown to fuel drug-resistant bacteria that can be dangerous to humans.
Things to Know About Michelle Obama’s Book, Arena Tour
| Associated Press
Oprah Winfrey joined Michelle Obama on Tuesday night at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, as she begins the tour touting the already best-selling “Becoming.” Here’s what to know about the tome and the tour.
Security Guard Killed by Midlothian Cop Ignored Orders to Drop Gun: Report
| Matt Masterson
State investigators say the armed security guard fatally shot by a Midlothian police officer outside a south suburban bar early Sunday was not wearing anything that identified him as security and ignored repeated orders to drop his weapon.
Ask Geoffrey: The History of Houseboats on the Chicago River
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer floats through a bygone colony of houseboats that once populated our city’s favorite Y-shaped waterway in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Veto Session Begins; Madigan on Board With Pritkzer’s Plans for Pot, Taxes
| Amanda Vinicky
A week after Illinois Democrats’ decisive general election victories, Illinois lawmakers returned to the capitol Tuesday for the start of the annual fall veto session.
Former NATO Ambassador Says Trump Abdicating Global Leadership
| Paul Caine
In his new book, Ivo Daalder argues that President Donald Trump has chosen to abandon America’s leadership role in the world just as China is becoming more assertive on the global stage.
Hats and ‘Bracelets’ Gone Berserk: The Wildly Creative Wares of John Koch
| Jay Shefsky
He’s been making hats and gloves for 45 years, but they’re not designed to keep us warm. Meet the man behind some eye-catching creations.
Landmark Musical ‘Miss Saigon’ Returns to Chicago, Turns 30
| Eddie Arruza
Decades after it premiered in London, the mega-musical “Miss Saigon” is still captivating audiences around the world. Meet three of the stars from the new touring production.
New Exercise Guidelines: Move More, Sit Less, Start Younger
| Associated Press
New federal guidelines stress that any amount and any type of exercise helps health. “Doing something is better than doing nothing,” said Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones of Northwestern University.
Uber’s Top Lawyer on ‘Concrete Actions’ to Curb Sexual Misconduct
| Nick Blumberg
Ride-hailing giant Uber releases a comprehensive plan to document – and ultimately curb – incidents of sexual misconduct within its ranks. We speak with the company’s chief legal officer Tony West.
Chicago Loses Amazon Bid, HQ2 to be Split Between NY, VA
| Associated Press
Chicago was one of 20 finalists vying for Amazon’s second headquarters. The company announced Tuesday it will be splitting its second headquarters between New York City and Arlington, Virginia.
Lincoln Park Zoo Hosts Conference on Reintroducing Endangered Species
| Alex Ruppenthal
Conservationists from around the world are gathering this week to focus on saving threatened species and reintroducing them into the wild.
Cardi B, Chance the Rapper, T.I. to Judge Hip-Hop Competition Series
| Associated Press
Cardi B, Chance the Rapper and T.I. will work as judges in a new Netflix competition series looking for the next big hip-hop star.
Bitcoin and Fraud: Chicago’s First Cryptocurrency Theft Prosecution
| Matt Masterson
Joseph Kim, 24, will spend 15 months in federal prison after defrauding his former employer and a handful of investors out of more than $1 million in cash and cryptocurrencies Bitcoin and Litecoin.
Lawsuit: Illinois Guard Shot by Police Had on Security Hat
| Associated Press
A police officer fatally shot an armed security guard who was wearing a hat with “security” emblazoned across the front, says an attorney for the guard's family who filed a federal lawsuit.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2025 Chicago Festival Guide
Pritzker Signs Order to Get Around US Limits on COVID-19 Vaccine
ICE ‘Unwilling’ to Share Details After Agent Killed Suburban Man During Immigration Operation, Pritzker Says
ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Man During Immigration Operation in Suburban Franklin Park
Conservative Ted Dabrowski Officially Launches Bid to Become Next Illinois Governor
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter