Jussie Smollett

Illinois Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal from former 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett

In December, an appeals court upheld the actor’s conviction and sentence for lying to Chicago police about being the victim of a hate crime in a staged attack.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, dressed in a blue suit jacket, looks pensive at the microphone during a luncheon.

Politics

Legacy lap: Kim Foxx reflects on growing up in Cabrini, leading 'difficult conversations’ with no ‘simple answers’

The Cook County State’s Attorney said Tuesday’s historically low turnout was “deeply concerning,” saying that it “tells me that we have an electorate that has not been engaged and that’s very troubling, not just for the state’s attorney’s race, but for our democracy as a whole.”

By Matthew Hendrickson and Sophie Sherry

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett asks Illinois Supreme Court to overturn his conviction for lying about hate crime attack

“What should have been a straightforward case has been complicated by the intersection of politics and public outrage,” Smollett’s attorneys wrote in a court filing late Monday.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett’s 2021 conviction, sentence upheld on appeal, but actor vows to fight on

The actor is unlikely to have to report to jail anytime soon as a spokeswoman says he will petition the Illinois Supreme Court next.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Jussie Smollett

‘Empire’ actor Jussie Smollett reportedly checks into rehab

The actor, who’s appealing his conviction for faking a 2019 hate crime in Chicago, entered a treatment facility’s outpatient program, TMZ reports.

By Sun-Times staff

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett slips into hearing on his appeal of conviction for lying about racist attack

His one-time hit show “Empire” had filmed in the Michael Bilandic Building, he told a reporter next to him, and now he was there as his lawyers sought to keep him out of jail.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett files opening arguments appealing conviction for lying about hate crime

The filing repeats several arguments that were made ahead of the actor’s trial, including that the prosecution violated his protection against double jeopardy.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett given more time to file appeal brief, but court warns ‘no further extension will be granted’

The actor and singer is appealing his 2021 conviction for staging a hate crime against himself in Chicago and lying about it.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Jussie Smollett

For fifth time, Jussie Smollett’s lawyers ask for more time to file brief appealing conviction linked to fake hate crime

The attorneys said their brief is ready but they are still waiting on a ruling on whether they can submit a longer filing than is typically allowed.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Sam Mendenhall, partner at Winston & Strawn and an ordained Methodist minister.

Columnists

‘Nothing without integrity’

Sam Mendenhall, a lawyer and minister who helped convict Jussie Smollett, reflects on faith and the law.

By Neil Steinberg

Jussie Smollett

Defamation, or fame? Brothers’ lawsuit against Jussie Smollett lawyer moves forward, while Smollett’s lawyers sue brothers

Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo claim they were damaged by a lawyer’s remarks on national TV. Another lawyer claims the brothers are trying to profit off their involvement in Smollett hoax.

By Andy Grimm

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett walked out of jail Wednesday night. Will he ever have to go back?

The former “Empire” actor was freed on bond while his appeal is pending, and experts say he might avoid more jail time even if the ruling in his case eventually doesn’t go his way.

By Andy Grimm

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett out of jail pending appeal

Sentenced to five months in jail last week, Smollett spent just six days behind bars.

By Andy Grimm and Sophie Sherry

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett in ‘psych ward’ at jail, lawyers want him released on bond

Smollett’s lawyers say they are concerned for actor’s safety, mental health if he remains locked up.

By Andy Grimm

Former federal prosecutor Dan Webb, the special prosecutor in the Jussie Smollett case, speaks to reporters at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse after Smollett was sentenced on March 10.

Other Views

Kim Foxx’s claim of mob justice in Jussie Smollett case is ridiculous: former judge

The defendant was given rights guaranteed by both the United States and the Illinois Constitution. Webb acted as a prosecutor should and performed better than what Foxx’s prosecutors could have done.

By Daniel M. Locallo

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett to serve jail sentence in protective custody, not unusual for high-profile and other at-risk detainees

He will be housed in his own cell “monitored by security cameras in the cell and by an officer wearing a body-worn camera who is stationed at the entrance of the cell to ensure that Mr. Smollett is under direct observation at all times,” the sheriff’s office said Friday.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett sentenced to 5 months in jail for staging fake hate crime in downtown Chicago

“You’ve destroyed your life as you knew it,” Judge James Linn told the former “Empire” actor. “There is nothing any sentencing judge could do compared to the damage you’ve already done.”

By Matthew Hendrickson and Andy Grimm

Jussie Smollett walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse for his sentencing hearing, Thursday, March 10, 2022 in Chicago. Smollett, who is expected to continue to deny his role in the staged attack in January 2019, faces up to three years in prison for each of the five felony counts of disorderly conduct — the charge filed for lying to police — of which he was convicted. He was acquitted on a sixth count.

Editorials

Let’s hope Chicago can now turn the page on the Jussie Smollett saga

Smollett’s jail sentence is excessive, but he brought it on himself. Most important, let’s hope we never hear again about “substantial abuses of discretion” from the state’s attorney’s office.

By CST Editorial Board

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx speaks during the “State of the State’s Attorney’s Office” address at the Union League Club of Chicago in March 4.

News

Kim Foxx defends reforms, calls for focus on data amid Cook County’s surge in violent crime

The Cook County state’s attorney also said she will have much to say about Jussie Smollett after the actor is sentenced on Thursday.

By Andy Grimm

Flanked by family members, supporters, attorneys and bodyguards, former “Empire” star Jussie Smollett walks into the Leighton Criminal Courthouse after the jury reached a verdict on Dec. 9.

News

Smollett sentencing hearing scheduled for March

Smollett was found guilty by a Cook County jury last month of five counts of disorderly conduct for lying about a racist and homophobic attack on himself in 2019 near his Streeterville neighborhood home.

By Matthew Hendrickson