Stories by matt masterson

(WTTW News)

Chicago Police Department Must Improve Methods, Clarify Rules for Reporting Officer Misconduct, Watchdog Report Finds

A city watchdog report has found Chicago Police Department rules that require the reporting of officer misconduct have been underenforced and are in some cases conflicting — issues which contribute to the existence of a so-called “code of silence.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. (WTTW News)

Johnson Denies Migrants Were Moved From Police Station Due to Lollapalooza

“No one was moved as a result of Lollapalooza,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Wednesday. “We are transitioning people into shelters. As a city, do we want people living in police stations? Is that acceptable? It’s not.”

(WTTW News)

Ex-Attorney General Loretta Lynch to Lead Independent Investigation Amid Northwestern Hazing Scandal

University officials on Tuesday announced Lynch has been hired to examine the “processes and accountability mechanisms” already in place to detect, report and respond to potential misconduct across the NU athletics programs.

Models and renderings showing plans for the renovated Shedd Aquarium. (WTTW News)

Shedd Aquarium Announces Significant Changes, Additions as Part of Ongoing $500M Centennial Commitment

The renovation process, which is slated to begin in the coming weeks, is set to be divided into multiple phases that will extend across the next four years as the aquarium introduces new learning studios and exhibits and renovates its existing gardens and entrance points.

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

5 People Killed in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 47 people were shot in 29 separate shooting incidents across the city between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Urban Prep Englewood campus (artistmac / Flickr)

Judge Rules CPS Cannot Take Over Urban Prep Campuses After Rejecting Charter Renewal

CPS said it has already appealed the ruling

A Cook County judge has ruled in favor of Urban Prep Academies, which had sued to maintain control of two charter campuses after Chicago Public Schools planned to take them over, amid allegations of sexual and financial misconduct by UPA leadership.

Chicago Public Schools headquarters. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

New Chicago Board of Education Members Announce Several Operational Changes at First Full Meeting

At the first meeting of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new Board of Education, members announced a host of sweeping changes aimed at improving transparency, community engagement and elevating issues important to stakeholders.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Woman Previously on Death Row Now Suing City After Conviction Overturned

Attorneys for Marilyn Mulero filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the city, disgraced former Chicago police Det. Reynaldo Guevara and others in a 13-count complaint alleging Mulero was the victim of a malicious prosecution and forced into falsely confessing to the murder of two men in 1992.

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

6 People Killed in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 33 people were shot in 24 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Police Officer Who Had ‘Improper Sexual Relationship’ With 911 Caller Suspended 9 Months

The board reached an 8-1 decision to suspend Officer Daniel Otero for 270 days for violating a CPD rule which prohibits “any action or conduct which impedes the Department’s efforts to achieve its policy and goals or brings discredit upon the Department.”

(WTTW News)

U.S. Postal Service Offering Reward After Mail Carriers Robbed in Chicago, Suburbs

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has announced a $50,000 reward after an employee was robbed in suburban River Grove Tuesday morning. Another postal carrier was reportedly robbed in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Board of Education to Consider X-Ray Contract Renewal As Schools Rethink Safety Strategies

While the board won’t officially vote on that contract until next week, some members questioned whether the X-rays actually improve safety for students at schools.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Supreme Court Upholds SAFE-T Act Provision Eliminating Cash Bail

In a 5-2 ruling, with Republican justices dissenting, the state's highest court found that the elimination of cash bail is constitutional and will take effect statewide beginning Sept. 18, overturning a lower court ruling that had put that implementation on hold and handing Gov. J.B. Pritzker a major victory.

Empty jury box area readied for members of the jury in the courtroom of Judge Vincent Gaughan at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. (Antonio Perez / Pool / Chicago Tribune)

Kim Foxx Releases ‘Do Not Call’ List of Officers Who Won’t Be Used as Witnesses at Trial

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Monday released her office’s “Do Not Call List” — which she said includes a collection of “disreputable” law enforcement officers who have “propelled Cook County’s reputation as the wrongful conviction capital of the country.”

(WTTW News)

Federal Judge Dismisses Bribery Charge Against ComEd

A federal judge in Chicago has dismissed a bribery charge levied against Commonwealth Edison, months after four former ComEd officials were convicted of attempting to corruptly influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

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

41-Year-Old Woman Among 3 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 40 people were shot in 32 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included Ashley Griggs, 41, who was killed in West Garfield Park.

(MotionStudios / Pixabay)

Chicago Man Convicted of Storming US Capitol, Taking Photo From Nancy Pelosi’s Office Sentenced to More Than 4 Years in Prison

“At the Capitol, he freely and happily walked into a riot and ultimately followed the rioters into the building itself and the personal office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum.

A memorial to the victims of the July 4, 2022, shooting in Highland Park. (WTTW News)

Bench Trial Date Set For Father of Alleged Highland Park Parade Gunman

Judge George Strickland set a Nov. 6 trial date for Robert Crimo Jr. during a hearing Friday. Crimo Jr. faces seven counts of reckless conduct for allegedly helping his son, Robert Crimo III, obtain a firearm owner’s identification card (FOID) card.

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

Chicago Police Warn of Armed Robberies Across North, Northwest Sides

According to a police bulletin, 23 armed robberies occurred between July 8 and July 11 across several community areas, sometimes just minutes apart.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Chicago Man Tied to Missouri-to-Chicago Gun Pipeline Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison: Prosecutors

Derrick Claiborne was sentenced in Chicago’s federal court this month after prosecutors said he was arrested at his penthouse apartment on Michigan Avenue while in possession of narcotics and three illegal firearms.

(WTTW News)

Farragut Career Academy Security Guard Charged With Sexually Assaulting Underage Student

Farragut Career Academy High School security guard Romel Campoverde, 43, appeared in court Wednesday following his arrest on a charge of criminal sexual assault of a victim between the ages of 13-17. He was ordered held on a $100,000 D-bond, meaning he must pay $10,000 to be released from custody.

A rendering of a planned new Ryan Field in Evanston. (Credit: Northwestern University)

Northwestern Professors Urge University Officials to Halt $800M Stadium Amid Football Hazing Scandal

“Over the past decade, Northwestern has made major and high-profile investments in athletics. But disturbing evidence of harassment and abuse — and high-level efforts to minimize those problems — suggest that we need to get the existing house in order before expanding it,” six university professors wrote.

Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald appears on “Chicago Tonight.”

Northwestern Fires Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Amid Hazing Scandal

“Since Friday, I have kept going back to what we should reasonably expect from our head coaches, our faculty and our campus leaders,” Northwestern President Michael Schill said in a statement Monday evening. “And that is what led me to make this decision. The head coach is ultimately responsible for the culture of his team.

Protesters gather outside the Ogden (10th) Police District headquarters on July 7, 2023. (Marc Vitali / WTTW News)

Interim Top Cop Says Migrants Housed at Chicago Police Stations Need More Permanent Accommodations

Days after sexual misconduct accusations were made against Chicago police officers in the 10th District involving migrants, interim Police Superintendent Fred Waller said migrants who remain housed at various police stations need more permanent accommodations.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

5 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 27 total people were shot in 21 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

(WTTW News)

New Board of Education Members Share Their Thoughts on Chicago’s Education Landscape

“I think this might be the first time in CPS history … that you have a board that’s made up of almost every one of us has some experience with CPS — either we’re parents, we’ve served on (Local School Councils), we were students or we were educators,” new board appointee Mariela Morales said