Stories by matt masterson

Chicago police vehicles are pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News)

Chicago Homicides Declined in 2022, But Total Still Among Highest Since ‘90s

That total marks a double-digit percentage decline over each of the last two years, according to Chicago Police Department data, but would still sit as the fourth most homicides in the city since 1999.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Man Charged With Killing Woman, Wounding Her Sister in Shooting Outside River North Bowling Alley

Jason McMahan was denied bail during a hearing Wednesday, one day after he was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of aggravated battery stemming from the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Tashawnna Anderson.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Chicago Police to Deploy 1,300 Additional Officers on New Year’s Eve

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said the additional officers will be sent into neighborhoods and high-traffic areas like Navy Pier, where a fireworks show will ring in the new year Saturday night.

(WTTW News)

Judge Rules Portions of SAFE-T Act Eliminating Cash Bail Are Unconstitutional; Cook County Officials Moving Forward

Kankakee County Judge Thomas Cunnington issued his ruling after dozens of state’s attorneys sued to prevent Illinois from eliminating cash bail beginning Jan. 1.

(WTTW News)

Cash Bail Is Ending (Or Partially Staying?) in Illinois. Here’s What You Need to Know

When the Pretrial Fairness Act, a section of the Illinois SAFE-T Act, goes into effect Jan. 1, those charged in criminal cases in dozens of counties across Illinois will no longer have to pay any cash in order to be released from jail while they wait for their trial.

(WTTW News)

5 People Killed in Shootings Over Holiday Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 19 people were shot between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday.

(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Chicago Considering Mask Advisory as COVID-19 Risk Moving Back Toward ‘High’ Level Across City

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday said the city is expected to move from a “medium” risk level for contracting COVID-19 back to a “high” risk level, likely sometime in the next week. When that happens, the city will reinstate an advisory, urging Chicagoans to mask up.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Man Charged With Kicking Woman Onto CTA Red Line Tracks as Train Approached

Ashley Goss, 39, was arrested Monday just moments after an incident inside the Chicago Red Line station on the Near North Side. He was ordered held without bail during a hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Federal authorities alleges Karol Chwiesiuk and his sister Agnieszka Chwiesiuk breached the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot. (U.S. District Court)

Sister of Chicago Police Officer Previously Charged in Jan. 6 Riot Now Also Charged With Breaching US Capitol

Federal investigators allegedly identified Agnieszka Chwiesiuk in photos and videos from inside the Capitol building during the riot. According to the feds, she can be seen alongside her brother, Karol Chwiesiuk, a CPD officer who is facing five misdemeanor charges stemming from his own alleged involvement in the riot.

(WTTW News)

13 People Shot Over Weekend Across Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, there were 12 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. No one was killed during that time frame, but a 16-year-old girl was fatally shot just before 6 p.m. Friday.

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

2 Teens Killed, 2 Wounded in Shooting Outside Benito Juarez High School

The shooting occurred Friday as classes were being dismissed according to Police Superintendent David Brown.

FBI investigators examine the scene in downtown Highland Park on July 5, 2022, a day after a mass shooting occurred at the Fourth of July parade. (WTTW News)

Father of Alleged Highland Park Parade Gunman Charged With Reckless Conduct Over Signing FOID Application

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced Robert Crimo Jr. — the father of Robert Crimo III — was arrested Friday and charged with seven counts of reckless conduct.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Police Must ‘Significantly Improve’ Community Partnership Efforts, Independent Monitor Finds

Chicago police have again improved their compliance levels on court-mandated reforms under the consent decree, but the independent monitor tracking the department’s progress says it must “significantly improve” its partnerships with community residents.

(WTTW News)

COPA Publishes Video Showing Mayor Lightfoot’s Security Detail Exchange Gunfire During Attempted Robbery Last Month

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday released surveillance videos from the Nov. 1 shooting, which occurred during an alleged robbery in progress in the 1800 block of North Monticello Avenue.

Mary E. Courtenay Language Arts Center. (Google Maps)

14-Year-Old Charged With Bringing Firearm Into Chicago Elementary School

Chicago police announced the student has been charged with felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon and threat to a school building. He was also cited for possessing a high capacity magazine and metal piercing bullets.

Chicago police Officer Ella French (@TomAhernCPD / Twitter)

Indiana Man Who Straw Purchased Gun Used to Kill Police Officer Ella French Sentenced to 2 ½ Years in Prison

Jamel Danzy, 40, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to straw purchase the semi-automatic handgun that was used to kill Ella French and critically wound her partner Officer Carlos Yanez in August 2021.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a news conference after the Nov. 16, 2022, City Council meeting. (WTTW News)

Michigan Man Charged With Threatening to Shoot Mayor Lori Lightfoot in Message Sent to Official Website

Prosecutors said William Kohles was upset over crime rates in Chicago when he allegedly wrote a threatening message to Mayor Lori Lightfoot in which he claimed he would shoot the mayor. 

(WTTW News)

Man Facing Hate Crime Charges Allegedly Threatened to ‘Burn’ Rabbi ‘In a Gas Oven’ During Confrontation Outside Jewish High School

Jay Bollyn, 69, was arrested on hate crime charges and ordered held on a $100,000 D-bond during a court hearing Tuesday. He must post $10,000 to be released from custody.

(WTTW News)

Police Issue Community Alert After At Least 50 Armed Robberies Reported

The Chicago Police Department on Monday evening issued a community alert notifying residents on the city’s North and West sides after at least 50 armed robberies have been carried out between Dec. 7 and Dec. 10.

(WTTW News)

Teen Charged in Fatal Shootings of 15-Year-Old Girl, 44-Year-Old Man

Edwin Lagunas, 18, has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and an additional count of aggravated battery with a firearm stemming from the Nov. 20 shooting that left Ruby Navarrete and Lynner Hawkins dead.

(WTTW News)

6 People Killed in Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 20 people were shot in 17 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included a triple homicide following a fight at a bar in the 5500 block of West School Street.

(WTTW News)

Kim Foxx Unveils New Search Warrant Policy For State's Attorney’s Office

Cook County prosecutors are enacting new changes to an existing search warrant policy this month, with an aim at improving communication and accountability while eliminating mistaken raids at incorrect locations.

(WTTW News)

CPS After-School Dance Club Instructor Charged With Sexually Abusing 2 Boys

Bryon Ortega, 19, was charged this week with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault and two child pornography-related charges after he allegedly abused two high school students.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Board of Education Vice President Sendhil Revuluri Stepping Down

“Everything I have in my life I owe to public education,” Sendhil Revuluri said during the meeting. “Our city, our students, our educators all need and deserve a board that listens to the community, focuses on student outcomes, sets clear goals to drive our progress and then holds one another and our district accountable for that progress.”

A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

15-Year-Old Student Fatally Shot Near CPS High School: Police

Chicago police are seeking the community’s help after a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot outside Michele Clark Magnet High School Tuesday afternoon.

(U.S. Attorney's Office)

2 Brothers Charged in $1M Suburban Bank Truck Robbery on Halloween

Corrie Singleton, 21, and Darrell Singleton, 18, both of South Holland, Illinois, have been charged in federal court in Chicago with robbery, bank larceny by assault and other firearm offenses.