Newsletter: Evidence Tampering In Johnson Investigation?

Eddie Johnson
Then-police Superintendent Eddie Johnson announces his retirement on Nov. 7, 2019. Almost a month later, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced she fired Johnson, accusing him of lying to her about the circumstances surrounding the night when cops found Johnson passed out in a police vehicle. Teresa Crawford / Associated Press
Eddie Johnson
Then-police Superintendent Eddie Johnson announces his retirement on Nov. 7, 2019. Almost a month later, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced she fired Johnson, accusing him of lying to her about the circumstances surrounding the night when cops found Johnson passed out in a police vehicle. Teresa Crawford / Associated Press

Newsletter: Evidence Tampering In Johnson Investigation?

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Hey there, it’s Friday, and I woke up last night with my dog, on the bed, sleeping right next to my head, which sounds cute but is kind of terrifying when you don’t realize at first that the breathing pile of hair is your dog. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Woman reportedly drinking with Johnson is accused of tampering with evidence

The Chicago Tribune reports that the female officer, who was on ex-Superintendent Eddie Johnson’s security detail, is accused of removing evidence from a cell phone that was being sought by Chicago Inspector General Joseph Ferguson’s office, which is investigating the incident.

The female subordinate was transferred from the security detail after officers found Johnson slumped over in a police vehicle after the two were seen having drinks one weeknight in October, the Trib reports.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired Johnson this week after reviewing evidence collected by the inspector general’s office. Lightfoot accused Johnson of lying to her and the public. [Chicago Tribune]

2. Deadly shooting at Florida naval base

This morning’s shooting at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, left at least three people dead and 12 others injured. The suspected gunman also died after sheriff’s deputies confronted him in a classroom building at the military base.

The suspected shooter was reportedly a second lieutenant in the Saudi Arabian air force, and authorities are investigating whether the shooting was terrorism-related.

Today’s shooting is the second to take place at a U.S. naval base this week. On Wednesday, a sailor at Pearl Harbor shot and killed two people before taking his own life. [AP]

3. Illinois prison guards charged for assault that led to prisoner’s death

Federal authorities accused three prison guards at the Western Illinois Correctional Center of beating an inmate “without legal justification while he was restrained and handcuffed behind his back and while he posed no physical threat to the defendants or other correctional officers,” according to an indictment.

The inmate, 65-year-old Larry Earvin, died from his injuries last year. A coroner ruled his death a homicide, as first reported by WBEZ.

The indictment also accused the guards of trying to cover up the beating by falsifying reports and misleading state police. [WBEZ]

4. How Pelosi went from impeachment skeptic to supporter

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said nine months ago that impeaching President Donald Trump was “just not worth it.” So why did the most powerful Democrat in Congress change her mind?

The New York Times has an interesting report that shows what went on behind the scenes.

“How Ms. Pelosi got to ‘where we are today’ is in part the story of her sense of timing, her methodical approach to decision making and her ability to read the sensibilities and political needs of her fractious and often unruly caucus,” the Times reports. [New York Times]

And a programming heads up: WBEZ will air special coverage of Monday’s public hearing in the impeachment inquiry beginning at 8 a.m. CST. The House Judiciary Committee is expected to hear presentations from House attorneys on evidence gathered so far during the inquiry.

5. You’ll want to read this if you’re ordering gifts online

Chicago ranks No. 3 for major cities with the most stolen packages during the holiday season, according to home safety website Safewise, which used FBI and Google data for its rankings. Salt Lake City claimed the top spot followed by the greater San Francisco area for the most stolen packages between Nov. 1 and Jan. 5.

When it comes to year-round, Chicago ranks No. 6 while the San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose area ranked No. 1. [Block Club Chicago]

Here’s what else is happening

  • The embattled head of the City Club of Chicago stepped down amid a federal criminal investigation into clout hiring at ComEd. [WBEZ]

  • Housing prices are forecasted to drop in Chicago and other major U.S. cities next year. [CNBC]

  • Federal authorities are investigating whether renovations at Wrigley Field comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Chicago Sun-Times]

  • A fair housing group filed a federal discrimination complaint against the owners of an Orland Park apartment building. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

The “best of 2019” lists keep rolling in.

Critics at The New York Times released their contenders for the best books of the year. [New York Times]

And if you need a good laugh, here’s a list of the best comedy books of the year. [Vulture]

The Times also dropped its list of the “best performances of 2019,” which includes everything from Zoë Kravitz in Big Little Lies to Gayle King interviewing R. Kelly. [New York Times]

The A.V. Club looked at the year’s best TV performances and had some great picks, from Regina King in Watchmen to the cast of the vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows. [A.V. Club]

And since it’s winter and the air is dry, here are some of the best hand creams to give someone for the holidays. [NBC News]

Tell me something good …

I’m putting together a bingo card of local things to do as the winter holidays approach, and here’s what some readers had to say.

Ellen Brady writes:

“The Driehaus Museum is a little known gem located a few blocks west of north Michigan Avenue. Santa will be visiting on the weekends I’d 12/7 and 12/14.”

And Sally writes:

“It wouldn’t be the holidays without enjoying a mug of glühwein at the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. Prost!”

Thanks for all the responses this week. We’re planning on releasing the bingo card in the next couple of weeks, so keep your eyes peeled.

Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I’ll see you on Monday. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.