Organization

Chicago’s murder total last year surged to levels not seen in a quarter-century, but embattled police Supt. David Brown has frequently noted a positive data point amid the spike in violence: His department “cleared” more murder cases in 2021 than in any other year in nearly two decades.

Chicago will distribute 5,000 free bicycles, helmets, locks and lights to promote “sustainable modes of transportation” and bolster its reputation as a cycling city, a top mayoral aide said Thursday.

A man was found dead on CTA Red Line tracks Friday morning in the Lake View neighborhood on the North Side.

According to the release, up to 50,000 physical prepaid cards of $150 will be distributed to eligible residents via a lottery system. These cards will be valid for one year after receipt and may only be spent on the cost of fuel at gas stations located within Chicago. Applications are limited to one per household. Beginning in May, cards will be distributed in five successive monthly waves of 10,000 residents.

A group of Black veteran teachers have filed a federal class action lawsuit against the Chicago Public Schools claiming they were wrongfully terminated.

A Chicago Public Schools security guard has been charged with sexually assaulting a student on multiple occasions last year at a South Side high school.

A 35-year-old man was robbed on the CTA Red Line Thursday morning on the Near North Side, according to Chicago police. 

A Chicago police officer was injured and two people were arrested after a shootout and barricade situation Thursday morning in the Roseland neighborhood on the Far South Side.

A petition calling for the teacher’s removal said he had long been a problematic presence at the school. It had over 400 signatures by Wednesday evening. He could not be reached for comment.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has chosen former deputy inspector general for public safety Deborah Witzburg to be Chicago’s new, $178,488-a-year watchdog in an apparent attempt to burnish her reformer credentials.

"Now she feels what every other citizen within the north side, the west side, south side and downtown is feeling… since she's been in office that hey, crime is here," Thornton said. "Now she has her own secret little patrol on top of her regular detail patrolling her house."

n the video that was filmed by a student, neither teacher can be seen. “Stupid,” one teacher says. “You[’re] f- – – – n’ stupid,” the other teacher replies. “And you’re even more stupid [inaudible].” The other teacher responds, “Shut up! Shut up!” In a comment apparently directed at students, he adds, “He’s wrong.”

“If you are a cop 24/7, who is the father to your kids and the husband or wife to your spouse?” he said. “Who goes to recitals and practices?”