Johnson, Vallas exchange jabs over schooling, budget plans at heated mayoral forum
The candidates were also asked whether they agree the runoff race represents a battle between the Chicago Teachers Union and the Fraternal Order of the Police.
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.
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A former Illinois prison guard gets 20-year sentence for fatal beating
In pleading for leniency Alex Banta said he took a job as a prison guard at 23 and had no idea how it would change him.
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Illinois prison guards face sentencing for fatal beating
The first of three former guards convicted of beating Larry Earvin in a downstate prison will face sentencing in federal court Thursday.
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The new board of Chicago’s main union for cops has 27 elected members, but just one African American
Since 2014, Black officers have run for the Fraternal Order of Police board 28 times but have failed to win except for once, WBEZ has found.
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Jury selection starts in case against ex-ComEd officials accused of Madigan bribery
A big political corruption trial begins Tuesday. The case involves former Commonwealth Edison officials accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
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Five things to know as the Safe-T Act goes to the Illinois Supreme Court
On March 14, the Illinois Supreme Court will hear oral arguments that will determine the future of cash bail in the state.
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Director of Illinois Department of Corrections resigns
Rob Jeffreys, who has led the department since June 2019, is stepping down.
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Gallows humor? Accused cop killers say some email between police bosses raises red flags.
CPD gang investigation supervisors exchanged the emails the day after a suspect in Officer Clifton Lewis’s murder was stabbed.
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How a gun violence spike in 2016 created a movement of Chicagoans that is still building
Over the last six years, support for community-based violence prevention has swelled in Chicago. It started with a “really shocking and enormous” increase in shootings.
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Confrontational Chicago police union boss John Catanzara Jr. wins reelection
The incumbent won nearly 57% of the vote, defeating Detective Bob Bartlett, who had warned cops the union was turning away potential allies.
