Daywatch: A path to resentencing for more than 1,200 inmates in Illinois
Good morning, Chicago.
Christopher Carter was 20 when he took part in the murder, armed robbery and kidnapping of a man whose body he helped dispose of on Chicago's West Side in March 2001.
He was the youngest of three suspects charged in the crime. He argued that his role was comparatively limited and that he didn't commit the actual killing, but at trial testified that he participated in the murder because he was afraid of the two older men, according to court records. All three were convicted, and Carter was sentenced to 100 years in prison.
More than 20 years into his incarceration, criminal justice reform advocates say Carter is among roughly 1,200 people in prison in Illinois who, under legislation being considered in Springfield, could be eligible for resentencing by a judge who takes into consideration their age and maturity level at the time the crimes were committed.
The proposal would apply to people in prison for crimes they committed when they were under 21. It marks one of the latest efforts by lawmakers to allow retroactive sentencing reforms that would give long-term prisoners, some essentially locked away for life, a chance at freedom.
Read the full story from the Tribune's Jeremy Gorner.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including: how the city will handle 'teen takeovers' returning downtown, State Sen. Emil Jones III going on trial today on bribery charges and Chicago's connection to 'The Great Gatsby.'
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Cook County and state officials approved the cascade of taxpayer dollars even as the company struggled with software crashes, bungled rollouts and allegations of incompetence, while Tyler pointed the finger back at government officials for various missteps, an investigation by Injustice Watch and the Chicago Tribune found.
The Trump administration's decision to close a regional Head Start office in Chicago this week has raised questions about how the program, which serves more than 28,000 children and low-income families in Illinois, will continue to operate in coming weeks and months.
A federal judge has determined that Itasca won't have to face the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by behavioral health provider Haymarket Center after the western suburb rejected its proposal for a drug treatment facility.
Thousands rallied and marched around downtown Saturday afternoon to take part in a national day of action to say 'hands off' to President Donald Trump's administration.
So-called Hands Off! demonstrations were organized for more than 1,200 locations in all 50 states. In Chicago, a flood of people swarmed Daley Plaza, with hundreds filling the surrounding streets by noon. The crowd then began an hourlong march making a loop around to State Street and then back to Daley Plaza.
When Khalil Cotton was growing up on Grand Boulevard on the city's South Side, he and his friends often struggled to find places to hang out outside of school. A hoop with a crate on a pole was a replacement for a basketball court because there wasn't one nearby, he said.
Hundreds of young adults like Cotton have attended what are now commonly called 'teen takeovers' over the past few years in the city's downtown neighborhoods. Videos of these gatherings — including two notable ones just last month, which ended with a 15-year-old boy sustaining a graze wound and a tourist being shot as she walked back to a hotel with her son — have circulated across social media, generating debate in the City Council and neighborhood groups alike as summer approaches.
Chicago Democrat Emil Jones III was made a state senator in 2008 in a classic Illinois way, on a path paved by his powerful father that left little to chance. Now, Jones is rolling the dice with a federal jury that could send him packing in equally time-honored Illinois fashion: as a convicted felon.
Jones, 46, whose father, Emil Jones Jr., led the state Senate for years before orchestrating having his son replace him, goes on trial today on bribery charges alleging he agreed to help a red-light camera company alter legislation in exchange for $5,000 and a job for his legislative intern.
The Cook County state's attorney's office announced Friday that it is expanding a pilot program allowing Chicago police officers to bypass prosecutors and directly file charges in some low-level felony gun cases, a move the office says will ease backlogs and free up police officers and assistant state's attorneys for higher-priority work.
Is new closer Ryan Pressly the next Mitch Williams or a Hector Neris' clone? Will the Cubs re-sign Kyle Tucker, or should fans just enjoy his presence for now and worry about that come November? And if the torpedo bats really work, why don't they make every Cubs hitter use one instead of just Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner?
Those were but a few of the questions Paul Sullivan heard at Wrigley on day one of the home season as Cubs fans returned to their home away from home.
Ian Happ embodies consistency in reaching 1,000-game milestone with the Chicago Cubs: 'I'm so proud'
3 takeaways from the Cubs' missed chance to sweep the San Diego Padres, including a 9th-inning error
Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan was a first-ballot selection for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, one of eight individuals named to its 2025 class Saturday. His selection was predicated on a heralded career as a collegiate coach for leading Florida to consecutive national championships in 2006 and 2007. He remains one of only three men's coaches to accomplish the feat.
Former Chicago Sky star Sylvia Fowles also was named to this year's Hall class as a first-ballot selection. The Sky drafted Fowles with the No. 2 pick in 2008 after she led LSU to four consecutive Final Four appearances. She was a three-time All-Star and won two Defensive Player of the Year awards with the Sky before being traded in 2015 to the Minnesota Lynx, with whom she won two WNBA championships and an MVP trophy in 2017.
3 takeaways as the Bulls creep closer to 8th place in the Eastern Conference with a win
This week marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby.' It was destined to be the definitive literary monument of the Roaring '20s, a decade of fortunes made and lost on Wall Street. Prohibition gave booze the lure of the illicit.
But the novel's debut on April 10, 1925, was a dud.
Aurora Mayor-elect John Laesch told The Beacon-News in a recent interview that he has no intention of pursuing the City of Lights Center project.
The 4,000-seat theater and 600-person event space called the City of Lights Center proposed for downtown Aurora, which Laesch previously spoke out against and said Thursday as a project is 'pretty much dead' under his incoming administration, would have cost the city between $100 million and $120 million, according to past reporting.
Three upcoming, monumental dance events, all with deep ties to Chicago, are on a collision course with your calendar. But it is possible to see the Joffrey Ballet, Twyla Tharp and Parsons Dance next weekend. And you should, writes Lauren Warnecke.
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Chicago Tribune
20 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
In 1894 Pullman strike, Illinois' governor fought president's decision to bring in National Guard
The governor fired off a message to the White House, outraged that the president had deployed soldiers to an American city. 'I protest against this, and ask the immediate withdrawal of the Federal troops from active duty in this State,' he wrote. It was July 1894. The governor was John Peter Altgeld of Illinois, and the president was Grover Cleveland. The two Democrats were arguing about Cleveland's decision to send the U.S. Army into Chicago during the Pullman strike. Illinois was 'able to take care of itself,' Altgeld wrote, telling Cleveland that the deployment 'insults the people of this State by imputing to them an inability to govern themselves, or an unwillingness to enforce the law.' Their dispute has echoes today, with President Donald Trump ordering the California National Guard and U.S. Marines sent to help deal with protests in Los Angeles. This time, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has led a chorus of objections to the president's move. In 1894, the progressive Altgeld was the loudest voice of protest. Altgeld, who'd emigrated from Germany as a toddler, was a Cook County judge before winning election as governor in 1892. The following year, he faced harsh criticism when he pardoned three alleged anarchists for their supposed roles in the 1886 Haymarket bombing, which killed seven police officers and several civilians during a labor demonstration west of the Loop. Altgeld said the imprisoned men were innocent, but the Tribune and other newspapers labeled him as an anarchist and apologist for murder. At the time, Chicago was reveling in the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, but the city soon fell into an economic depression. That prompted tycoon George Pullman to slash salaries at his railcar factory, even as he continued charging workers the same rent for living in his company's Far South Side complex. Pullman's desperate employees went on strike in May 1894. The conflict expanded in late June, when the American Railway Union refused to work on trains containing Pullman's luxury sleeping cars — a boycott that paralyzed railroads across the country. Two federal judges in Chicago, William Allen Woods and Peter S. Grosscup, issued an injunction July 2, ordering the union to stop disrupting interstate commerce and postal shipments. U.S. Marshal John W. Arnold delivered the message to a crowd of 2,000 strikers in Blue Island. Arriving on a train, he stood in the mail car's doorway and read the injunction. 'I command you in the name of the president of the United States to disperse and go to your homes,' he said. According to the Tribune, Arnold was greeted with 'howls, hooting, curses, and scornful laughter.' People shouted, 'To hell with the government! To hell with the courts!' And then they 'wantonly violated the court's order' by pushing over a boxcar onto the tracks. Arnold telegraphed U.S. Attorney General Richard Olney. 'I am unable to disperse the mob, clear the tracks, or arrest the men … and believe that no force less than the regular troops of the United States can procure the passage of the mail trains, or enforce the orders of the courts,' he wrote. Cleveland ordered soldiers from Fort Sheridan, a base in Lake County, into Chicago. He later cited a statute authorizing the president to deploy armed forces if 'unlawful obstructions, combinations or assemblages of persons, or rebellion against the authority of the United States' made it 'impracticable' to enforce laws through 'the ordinary course of judicial proceedings.' A crowd cheered when troops arrived in Chicago early on the morning of the Fourth of July. The Tribune reported that the soldiers were there to teach union 'dictator' Eugene Debs and his followers a lesson — 'that the law of the land was made to be obeyed and not violated by a rabble of anarchistic rioters.' But Altgeld said troops weren't needed. 'Very little actual violence has been committed,' he told Cleveland. 'At present some of our railroads are paralyzed, not by reason of obstructions, but because they cannot get men to operate their trains.' Cleveland replied that he was acting 'in strict accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States.' Altgeld sent a second telegram, challenging the president's use of the military to enforce laws. Not even 'the autocrat of Russia' has that much power, Altgeld said. Recalling his reaction to Altgeld's missives, Cleveland later said, 'I confess that my patience was somewhat strained.' A Tribune editorial scoffed at Altgeld's arguments: 'This lying, hypocritical, demagogical, sniveling Governor of Illinois does not want the law enforced. He is a sympathizer with riot, with violence, with lawlessness, and with anarchy.' An Army officer told the White House that Chicago's 'people seem to feel easier since arrival of troops.' But Altgeld told Cleveland that the soldiers' presence was an 'irritant' that 'aroused the indignation' of many. Police Superintendent Michael Brennan reported: 'The workingmen had heard of the arrival of the federal troops and were incensed.' Mobs soon knocked over or burned hundreds of freight cars, drunkenly shouting insults at soldiers. 'MOBS DEFY ALL LAW — Make Night Hideous with a Reign of Torch and Riot,' a Tribune headline declared. In the midst of the turmoil, buildings from the 1893 World's Fair went up in flames, attracting a huge crowd of spectators. Arson was suspected. Most of the rioters weren't striking railway workers, according to Brennan. Rather, they were 'hoodlums, the vicious element and half-grown boys' who 'were ready for mischief of any kind,' he wrote. More federal troops arrived. And despite Altgeld's opposition to the federal deployment, he sent 4,000 members of the Illinois National Guard to help the Chicago police establish order. Brennan praised the way his own police handled the situation, writing: 'They used their clubs freely, vigorously and effectively; there were many cracked heads and sore sports where the policeman's club fell, but no human life was taken.' According to Brennan, the most troublesome law enforcement officers were 5,000 men deputized by the U.S. marshal. 'A large number of them were toughs, thieves and ex-convicts,' he wrote. 'They were dangerous to the lives of the citizens on account of their careless use of pistols. They fired into the crowd of bystanders when there was no disturbance and no reason for shooting. Innocent men and women were killed by these shots.' U.S. Army officials were reluctant to allow their 1,900 soldiers in Chicago to fire at rioters — or to take on the role of police officers. 'Punishment belongs not to the troops, but to the courts of justice,' they wrote in an order outlining rules of engagement. Reporting for Harper's Weekly, artist Frederic Remington described soldiers angry at being held back from attacking 'the malodorous crowd of anarchist foreign trash.' Remington called Chicago 'a seething mass of smells, stale beer, and bad language.' But he noted that the city's 'decent people' welcomed the soldiers. The strike's deadliest episode happened July 7 at 49th and Loomis streets, where several thousand people jeered and threw rocks at the Illinois National Guard. The state troops charged with bayonets and fired several volleys, killing at least four and wounding 20. A Tribune headline called it 'A DAY OF BLOOD.' The Army focused on getting the trains to run again, with soldiers riding shotgun in trains as they carried mail and much needed shipments of food. On July 8, U.S. soldiers escorting a train fired at crowds in Hammond, killing an innocent bystander. 'I would like to know by what authority United States troops come in here and shoot our citizens without the slightest warning,' Hammond Mayor Patrick Reilley said. By the time the strike was over in mid-July — with the union defeated and the soldiers gone — the official local death toll was 12, though some historians say more than 30 died. Altgeld lost his bid for reelection in 1896. He died in 1902 and was buried in Graceland Cemetery, where the monument on his grave features some of his words, including a portion of his message to Grover Cleveland: 'This is a government of law, and not a government by the caprice of an individual.'
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
The Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for June 21
Summer temperatures are officially here, Chicago. A heat wave is moving across the region this weekend, with potentially record-breaking temperatures and dangerously high humidity. Luckily, the city's pools reopened just in time. For the first time since the pandemic, Chicago's outdoor public pools will be open seven days a week this summer. What else happened this week? Let's jump in. President Donald Trump left the the Group of Seven summit in Canada early as the war between Israel and Iran intensified. The president said he will decide the level of U.S. involvement in the conflict within two weeks. The Federal Reserve also kept its key rate unchanged this week, waiting to see how new tariffs will impact the economy. On Sunday, the man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses was taken into custody following a two-day manhunt. Several prominent Illinois politicians were among the names listed in the alleged shooter's notebooks. Tensions over immigration continued to flare this week. Following news that President Trump was directing federal immigration officials to ramp up deportations in Democratic-run cities and possibly targeting Chicago with a military response similar to Los Angeles, Mayor Brandon Johnson warned that such a move would be challenged in the courts, saying the president should respect the Constitution. And several Illinois Democratic congressmen were denied entry at an ICE facility in suburban Broadview, despite demands to check on the conditions of the detainees held there. In state financing news, Gov. JB Pritzker signed the Illinois budget Monday, while Cook County projected a $211 million shortfall for 2026. Funding for Chicago-area transit also remains unresolved in Springfield — as does the question of who will lead the Chicago Transit Authority. The Tribune discovered this week that the mayor didn't conduct a national search for a replacement for Dorval Carter, who left the CTA earlier this year, despite claiming otherwise. As the school year comes to a close, Pedro Martinez's tenure as Chicago Public Schools CEO is over. In his final week as schools chief, Martinez delivered remarks at the City Club about his time leading the district. Summer break often means more large gatherings of young people downtown. In an effort to curb these sometimes violent and chaotic 'teen takeovers,' Chicago City Council narrowly passed an ordinance that would give the police superintendent the power to declare a 'snap curfew' anytime, anywhere. On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson said he would veto the measure and on Friday, followed through on that promise, issuing the first mayoral veto in nearly two decades. Preparations for this year's NASCAR street race have begun, but will the race be held in Chicago again next year? The Tribune reported this week that a tourism commission in Southern California is currently in negotiations to move the race to San Diego. In other news from the world of sports and entertainment, the Chicago Fire offered a detailed look this week at their stadium plans, Cubs legend Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field and the James Beard Awards were announced. Plus, a popular gay bar in Chicago's Northalsted neighborhood could soon have another location at O'Hare International Airport. If the proposal is approved, Sidetrack would be the first LGBTQ+ bar in a U.S. airport. That's all for this week! Here's the Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz from June 15 to 21. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week. Until next time, stay cool, stay hydrated and be safe out there, Chicago!
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Today in Chicago History: The case of the ‘ragged stranger'
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 21, according to the Tribune's archives. Is an important event missing from this date? Email us. Column: 11 observations to kick off a Chicago sports summer, including updating the 'Maddux' to the 'PCA'Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago) 1920: United States Army veteran Carl Wanderer claimed his wife Ruth Wanderer was fatally shot by an unknown man during a robbery attempt in the vestibule of their apartment complex before he fatally shot the assailant. Wanderer later admitted to killing both and staging the scene in what was to be known as 'The Case of the Ragged Stranger.' 1921: Bessie Coleman became the first Black woman to earn a pilot's license. The International Aeronautical Federation in France presented it to her almost two years before fellow aviator Amelia Earhart. Coleman returned to the United States aboard the steamer ship Mancuria amid fanfare on Sept. 25, 1921. She proclaimed herself the 'only Negro aviatrix in the world,' the Tribune reported, and intended 'to give exhibition flights and thus inspire the colored citizens with a desire to fly.' 1926: Chicago became the first city in the U.S. to host the International Eucharistic Congress. Nearly 1 million Catholics from around the world joined the almost 1 million local Catholics during the four-day gathering, which started in Mundelein then moved to Soldier Field. Approximately 300,000 people — 150,000 inside Soldier Field and 150,000 outside the stadium — attend Mass there. 1958: The last remaining Chicago streetcar made its final run. The last paying trolley customer was Al Carter. Carter was also the last customer at the 1933-34 Century of Progress, which was the second World's Fair hosted by the city. 1964: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was the keynote speaker at the Illinois Rally for Civil Rights held at Soldier Field, where he told the crowd of more than 57,000, 'We must continue to engage in demonstrations, boycotts, and rent strikes and to use all the resources at our disposal. We must go to the ballot box and vote in large numbers. But nonviolence is the most total weapon available to the Negro in his struggle for human dignity.' Vintage Chicago Tribune: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. leads 'the first significant freedom movement in the North'The predominantly Black crowd that gathered to hear him speak was smaller than expected, however, due to rain. 1971: The Chicago Teachers Union voted by a 2-1 ratio to accept a plan to integrate faculties in the city's public schools. The plan called for the faculty of any one school to be limited to no more than 75% Black or 75% white teachers. The vote of 11,681 to 5,566 represented a larger membership turnout than for the teachers' contract vote at the beginning of the year. 1996: Doors to the Museum of Contemporary Art's new building on East Chicago Avenue opened for the first time to the public at 7 p.m. and remained so until 7 p.m. the following day. The unique 24-hour concept was considered its own performance piece for the approximately 25,000 people who visited during that time period. Missing, however, was the museum's founder Joseph Randall Shapiro, who died just days earlier at the age of 91. 2011: Ferocious winds spawned tornadoes that hit Downers Grove and Mount Prospect, but warning sirens in the communities remained silent. In both cases, tornadoes about 200 yards wide traveled roughly 2 miles, toppling trees, tossing lawn furniture and knocking down power lines. Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
