Latest News from Chicago City Wire

PCP drug played significant role in teen's actions before shooting, experts say

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 5, 2018

The hallucinogenic drug phencyclidine, or PCP, in Laquan McDonald’s system was a significant factor in what eventually led to his 2014 shooting death by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, drug recognition experts say.

Expert: Teen 'whacked out' of his mind from PCP night of police shooting

By W.J. Kennedy | Oct 5, 2018

Jurors deciding the fate of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke heard key testimony on the mental state of the teen, high on PCP, who refused commands to drop a knife.

No on-call system for Chicago SWAT endangers officers and civilians, FOP complaint says

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 18, 2018

The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) recently filed a complaint that accuses Chicago’s SWAT team of having a shortage of manpower that endangers the public and police force.

Influential union leader Jerry Morrison set to appear before Cook County judge on battery charge

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 14, 2018

Jerry Morrison, the politically well-connected and outspoken head of the SEIU, one of the state’s largest public sector unions, is scheduled to appear in the Misdemeanor Section of the Circuit Court of Cook County on October 2 on one charge of battery.

'El Gallito' to back 'Chuy' Garcia for Chicago mayor

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 12, 2018

U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) is expected to announce today that he is backing Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia for Chicago mayor.

Proft: 'Mayor Preckwinkle' would put Chicago in 'full de Blasio' mode

By W.J. Kennedy | Sep 7, 2018

In a recent Twitter post, conservative strategist Dan Proft said that “Chicago is poised to go full de Blasio” in reaction to news that Cook County board President Toni Preckwinkle is testing the waters for a run for mayor.

Berrios spokesman: 'The race is over, Mr. Kaegi'

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 28, 2018

Last week, Frederick “Fritz” Kaegi, who will almost certainly win the election for Cook County assessor in November, criticized outgoing Assessor Joe Berrios for not developing a residential assessment model fairer to lower-income homeowners.

Manhattan Institute scholar: Fathers, not more programs, are what’s needed for Chicago schools

By W.J. Kennedy | Aug 14, 2018

The administration, not the kids, will be the big winner from a new $10 million pilot program aimed at Chicago’s most vulnerable public schools, according to Heather MacDonald, a Manhattan Institute scholar who has written extensively on the nation’s public schools.

“Sometimes there are so many they look like they’re having a union meeting"- Southwest Siders rally against prostitution

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 31, 2018

The Chicago Police Department (CPD) has organized a “Take Back the Streets” rally at 7 p.m. today on 49th and Cicero, a corner in Archer Heights that has neighbors on a crusade to rid it, and the entire block, of prostitutes and drug dealers.

Ives calls for Chicago Public Schools to be 'broken up into smaller districts' following another sex assault report

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 31, 2018

An investigative report into student-on-student sexual assaults in the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) published recently in the Chicago Tribune is another heartbreaking symptom of a school district beyond repair, according to lawmakers and education experts asked for their reactions to the report.

Republican Party officials boycott Cook County meeting over proposed bylaw change

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 27, 2018

A proposed change in the bylaws of the Cook County Republican Party that would have allowed Democrats to serve as Republican ward committeemen fizzled at a meeting of party officials July 25 and county Republicans lacked a quorum necessary for a vote after nearly 30 committeemen boycotted the meeting.

'Say goodbye' to Chicago GOP if Morrison amendment adopted

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 23, 2018

A proposed initiative that would virtually destroy the Republican Party in Chicago and forfeit any chance of fair oversight of elections in Cook County is slated to go before county Republican committeemen on Wednesday night.

'If a call goes out, it’s a Hail Mary'; former officer says Chicago SWAT lacks training, manpower

By W.J. Kennedy | Jul 9, 2018

Chicago’s SWAT teams are ill-prepared to respond to terrorism, the taking of a hostage or any other crisis that demands a rapid, full-scale police presence, a former SWAT team member says.

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CPS' facilities contractor, with poor track record, advertises jobs that require no drug tests

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 28, 2018

In April, Aramark, a Philadelphia-based food service and facilities company, held a jobs fair at St. Sabina Church on the South Side, listing openings for food service workers, cooks, general utility workers and custodial service workers.

Still no arrests in mob assault on teenager near Lane Tech; Roscoe Village residents on edge

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 12, 2018

Chicago Police (CPD) have yet to make any arrests stemming from a mob assault, caught on video, on a 15-year-old male near Lane Tech High School in Roscoe Village during a Memorial Day weekend carnival.

Do thin SWAT ranks put Chicago at risk?

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 12, 2018

Chicago City Wire has learned that Chicago Police (CPD) routinely has only two members of its SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit on duty in the city overnight.

Armed member of 'Pfleger’s security' arrested outside his church

By W.J. Kennedy | Jun 1, 2018

An armed security guard associated with staunch anti-gun and nationally known social activist, Father Michael Pfleger, was arrested on May 27 outside St. Sabina’s Roman Catholic Church on the South Side where Pfleger is a senior pastor.

Some Cook County homeowners on the hook for additional property taxes

By W.J. Kennedy | May 15, 2018

Irving Myrick only recently discovered that the property taxes on the retirement home he bought in Markham in 2012 were double what he thought he'd owe at the time of purchase. Now he’s fighting just to be able to afford to keep the house.

Records show taxpayers paid $100K for CPS student trips to Costa Rica, South Africa, Ireland, Italy

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 25, 2018

Records obtained by Chicago City Wire show that Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spent nearly $100,000 for student and teacher trips to the United Kingdom, Italy, South Africa and Costa Rica last year, as district leaders were asking Illinoisans to pay more in taxes to bail out the insolvent, debt-ridden district.

Edgebrook chamber behind plan to levy higher property taxes under special service area designation

By W.J. Kennedy | Apr 17, 2018

Tim Pomaville, a real estate developer and property owner in Edgebrook, said he was shocked when he received a notice just over a week ago that the Edgebrook Sauganash Chamber of Commerce was behind a proposal to raise property taxes as part of a special service area (SSA) designation.

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