Criminal Justice
The investigative reporters on WBEZ’s criminal justice desk tell the stories of the thousands of individuals churning through the legal systems every year in Chicago, Cook County and Illinois and hold to account the powerful officials in charge of those systems. Covering policing, jails and prisons, gun violence and solutions to it, WBEZ’s Criminal Justice team works to bring understanding to some of the most difficult problems facing our region.
Deputy Sean Grayson has been fired and charged with murder for the shooting. He has pleaded not guilty. The family says the DOJ is investigating.
Also facing several criminal charges is Sameer Suhail, owner of a medical supply company, who’s accused of participating in the fraud along with ex-CFO Anosh Ahmed and Loretto’s then-chief transformation officer, Heather Bergdahl.
Newly released records provide the clearest picture of last month’s attack on the Cook County state’s attorney. They also show that her office was closely involved in the investigation and the decision to bring serious charges in the case.
Chicago slightly grew a youth jobs program this summer, including hiring 100 people to learn conflict resolution and relationship building.
Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said officers tied to extremist groups “are dishonoring the badge.”
The common message of Thursday’s parade and a remembrance ceremony was one of strength, resilience and unity.
The little known law allows people to be punished for the acts of another. Victims of intimate partner violence are particularly vulnerable for prosecution.
“We are not a weak community. We are a strong community,” says Highland Park resident Ashbey Beasley.
There were 635 burglaries reported at restaurants last year, the most since at least 2001, and the city is on pace to surpass that number this year.
A coalition of community organizations says the policy still fails to draw a line between crowds protected under the First Amendment and those engaged in illegal activity such as looting.
Robert Crimo III backed out of deal in court Wednesday after prosecutors say he agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of first-degree murder in connection with the mass shooting in 2022. “It’s heartbreaking, and it shouldn’t be happening,” activist Ashbey Beasley told reporters afterward.