Crime

Officer Luis Huesca wears a light blue police uniform as he poses for a portrait in front of an American flag.

Realizarán los servicios funerarios para el oficial de policía Luis Huesca

El funeral por Huesca será el lunes a las 10 de la mañana en la Iglesia Católica Santa Rita de Casia, ubicada en el 7740 S. Western Ave. de Chicago, según la Orden Fraternal de la Policía.

By Tom Schuba

Crime

Orland Park man held in custody in connection with fatal Oak Forest shooting

Dexter Reed Shooting

Dexter Reed's family files federal civil rights lawsuit over his killing by Chicago police

Chicago gangs

Four Corner Hustler chief's conviction threatened by revelation from feds

Highland Park parade shooting

Suspected Highland Park parade shooter granted permission to call family from jail

Screen_Shot_2021_09_16_at_1.43.04_PM.jpg

Crime

Homicides in Chicago: A list of every victim

An interactive database compiled from Sun-Times reporting and information from law enforcement agencies and the Cook County medical examiner’s office, updated daily.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Priority Communities Dashboard

Track the pace of homicides and shootings in Chicago’s most violent areas, based on Sun-Times and city data.

By Sun-Times Wire

Voices from West Garfield Park

The Sun-Times spent months talking to residents who call West Garfield Park home. Read the full series below.

The Conservatory-Central Park Drive Green Line elevated train station overlooks a street lined with parked cars and trees.

West Garfield Park

What it’s like to live in Chicago’s most violent neighborhood

The Sun-Times spent months talking to residents who call West Garfield Park home. We share stories from nine of them.

By Andy Grimm

West Garfield Park

LiFE Restaurant in West Garfield Park aims to nourish community

By Andy Grimm

West Garfield Park

West Garfield Park activist fights to improve ‘wellness’ of community

By Andy Grimm

West Garfield Park

Former West Garfield Park gang member works to pull others out of isolation

By Andy Grimm

West Garfield Park

West Garfield Park business owner chooses to stay despite the violence

By Andy Grimm

West Garfield Park

Former West Garfield Park gang members look for peace

By Andy Grimm

West Garfield Park

West Garfield Park mom wonders if neighborhood is a safe place to raise kids

By Andy Grimm

A combined image using photos of Marlon English, Eroica Del Real, Aja Johnson, Carla Johnson and Jaree Noel.

Commentary

These are the voices of five survivors of Chicago’s violence

Each of their essays offers a peek into the ways violence rearranges a life. There are stories of loss and grief but also redemption, love, regret and shifting notions of justice.

Read

By The Trace

Crime

1 killed, 2 hurt in Dan Ryan Expressway shooting

State troopers responded late Friday to the northbound lanes of Interstate 94 at Canalport Avenue for a report of shots fired, Illinois state police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Woman killed, man injured in West Garfield Park

The two were driving in an alley just before 5 p.m. when several people started shooting from two cars, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Woman accused of killing, dismembering landlord takes stand in defense

Sandra Kolalou, 37, denied killing and then cutting up Frances Walker in 2022 at the Northwest Side home they shared.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Back of the Yards

A party, a cake — and then gunfire: Toddler and 7-year-old brother remain hospitalized after Back of Yards mass shooting

Aaron Mendez, 22 months old, suffered kidney damage and may have to have a kidney removed. His older brother, Isaiah, has been sedated since undergoing surgery. “I’m devastated to think I could have lost both of my kids that night,” their mother told the Sun-Times.

By David Struett and Kaitlin Washburn

Crime

Kim Foxx won't take sides on request by man facing rape trial for 'certificate of innocence' in murder case

William Dukes Jr. was acquitted of the 1993 killings of a Cicero woman and her granddaughter after a second trial in 2019. In 2022, he was arrested in an unrelated sexual assault case in Chicago.

By Frank Main and Matthew Hendrickson

Suburban Chicago

Two dead after apparent murder-suicide in Lemont motel

The bodies of Richard Crane, 62, and an unidentified woman were found shot at the D-Lux Budget Inn in southwest suburban Lemont.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man stabbed to death in Pilsen

The man was found with stab wounds around 4:15 a.m., police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Other Views

25 years after my dad was killed, his murder is unsolved. Two bills could spur action on cold cases like his.

Send a message to criminals: Your actions will have consequences — no matter how much time passes. We can’t legislate all our problems away, but these bills now pending in the Illinois Legislature could pave the way for bringing closure to grieving families.

By Alicia Schemel

Crime

Joliet mother charged in death of girl, 12, who ingested heroin, fentanyl

Mya King, 12, was found unresponsive Sunday morning and died Wednesday. Her mother, Colette Bancroft, was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

By Sun-Times Wire

Miracle Boyd, wearing a pink shirt and green headband, gives public comment while standing at a lectern microphone during a Chicago Police Board meeting at CPD Headquarters on April 18, 2024.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Protesters demand firing of top cop and officers who fatally shot Dexter Reed

At a rally at police headquarters, community members called for greater transparency of the investigation, a halt to the use of tactical units and an end to pretextual traffic stops.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Dexter Reed Shooting

In case of Dexter Reed, killed by cops in traffic stop, court filings, family detail struggle with mental health

Court documents and police records offer more details about the man killed last month in a shootout with police in Humboldt Park.

By Tom Schuba and Rosemary Sobol

Crime

Man charged in slaying of 74-year-old man in Greater Grand Crossing

Shermain Sargent, 41, is accused of beating Timothy Ash, 74, on Jan. 7 in the 6400 block of South King Drive. Ash died Jan. 12 of injuries suffered from the assault, the medical examiner reported.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

3 University of Chicago students held up near campus

The students were approached by people with guns Wednesday afternoon and robbed. No one was hurt. University police will ‘maintain an increased presence’ following the incidents.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man charged with trafficking stolen Masters golf memorabilia

Richard Brendan Globensky allegedly transported stolen Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia from the Augusta National Gold Club in Georgia between 2009 and 2022.

By Sun-Times Wire

News

Residential building in Pilsen collapses in blaze

Chicago Fire Department crews responded to the fire around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of West 16th Street. No injuries were reported. The fire was put out about 9:30 p.m.

By Sun-Times Wire

Highland Park denizens wear blue shirts and hold a banner as they take part in a community walk on the one-year anniversary of the Fourth of July parade mass shooting.

Highland Park parade shooting

Highland Park to resume Independence Day parade 2 years after mass shooting

Mayor Nancy Rotering says the ‘Sweet Home Highland Park’ parade and a celebration after will restore the community’s spirit and help the city move forward from the 2022 attack that left 7 dead and dozens wounded.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

News

Emergency assistance center connects residents to services following Back of Yards mass shooting

Chicago police and community organizations gathered at Richard J. Daley Academy to provide information about available services to people affected by violent crimes.

By Cindy Hernandez

Crime

Person fatally shot in Brighton Park

The person, only identified by police as a male, was near an alley about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 4600 block of South Washtenaw Avenue when he was shot in the chest, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Flowers, photos, balloons and words of condolence adorn a black iron-like fence.

Other Views

Pass Karina's Bill to seize guns from the most dangerous domestic abusers

My dad shot and killed my sister and mom and left me with a gunshot wound. Law enforcement hadn’t removed a gun from his possession, even though his FOID card had been suspended.

By Jesus Emmanuel “Manny” Alvarez

Crime

New Chicago intelligence hub aims to ‘squeeze every last piece of evidence’ out of guns used in crimes

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives facility is the latest effort to disrupt violent crime in Chicago, where police have been taking 12,000 guns off the street every year.

By Jon Seidel

A woman was killed in a crash April 27, 2021 in Naperville.

Crime

Shooting in Naperville leaves 1 wounded, prompts school lockdowns

Officers responded about 1:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Leach Drive, where they found one person with a gunshot wound. The assailant fled on foot, police say.

By Sun-Times Wire

A man died in fire Nov. 22, 2020 in West Englewood, police said.

News

Motorcyclist critically wounded in crash on Northwest Side

The man, 20, was riding a motorcycle in the bicycle lane in the 4000 block of West Diversey Avenue when he hit a car turning into a parking lot around 3:30 p.m., Chicago police said. He was hospitalized in critical condition.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

1,000 pounds of substances used with meth, cocaine seized in Chicago

The substances were found April 11 in a shipping container on its way from China to northwest suburban Wood Dale.

By Sun-Times Wire

OCHOALOPEZ-041724_7.jpgYovanny Lopez, husband of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and father of Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, stands beside a photo of him, his wife, his son and Yovanny Jadiel Lopez (pictured at the bottom) while speaking to the media after a hearing at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Little Village, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Clarisa Figueroa entered a plea deal Tuesday for the murder of Ochoa-Lopez and cutting her baby, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, from the womb in 2019. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Crime

Clarisa Figueroa pleads guilty to strangling Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, cutting baby from womb

Figueroa was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The infant, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, died several weeks later.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Crime

Chicago police, community partners open emergency assistance center following Back of Yards mass shooting

The center will be open Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Richard J. Daley Academy, 5024 S. Wolcott Ave.

By Sophie Sherry

Suburban Chicago

Dolton official accused of bankruptcy fraud

The indictment against Keith Freeman comes as Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is also facing scrutiny.

By Jon Seidel

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) pictured at an October City Council meeting.

Chicago

Mayor hosts forum to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate, but some invitees skip meeting

About 20 elected officials and community organizers discussed ways the city can combat antisemitism, though attendees said it was just the start of the conversation. Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) said the gesture was ‘hollow.’

By Violet Miller

Crime

Man's body pulled from Lake Michigan at North Avenue

The remains, of a man possibly in his 40s, were recovered about 6:40 a.m.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Woman shot in Humboldt Park drive-thru

The woman, 18, was driving a car with three passengers at a restaurant when a man on a bike approached and began arguing with them before shooting, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man fatally shot in Roseland

A 34-year-old man was found on the sidewalk in the 200 block of East 111th Street at about 10 p.m., police said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.

By Sun-Times Wire