Law
Judge firms up trial date for Jussie Smollett, won't dismiss case
The case was revived when a special prosecutor charged Smollett with disorderly conduct over the police reports. The actor has pleaded not guilty.
Associated Press
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Illinois Politics
Illinois Democrats look to increase edge with new House maps
Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature, making passage of their plan all but certain. And Pritzker, a Democrat, already has approved new legislative maps drawn by politicians despite a promise on the campaign trail not to do so.
Police
Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot takes police union head to court over vaccines
The mayor said in a statement that the city's law department filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court for injunctive relief against Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, whom she accused of "engaging in, supporting and encouraging work stoppage or strike."
Cubs
Chicago Cubs hire Carter Hawkins as general manager
The Cubs plan to formally introduce Hawkins as the franchise's 16th general manager at a news conference on Monday.
Chicago Journal
Deerfield man gets 3 1/2 years for stealing from charity
He spent the money on family vacations to places such as Scotland, Puerto Rico, and Las Vegas, but also on more mundane expenses such as health club dues and car repairs, he admitted in his plea agreement.
White Sox
White Sox star Tim Anderson says he wants La Russa to return
"Everybody thought we weren't going to get along," said Anderson, who made his first All-Star team this season. "But overall, we were talking behind the scenes the whole time. Just for him, the players come first and he makes that known. We're one big family."
Bears
Bears eye share of NFC North lead with Rodgers, Packers
They could be without their top two rushers, with David Montgomery (sprained knee) on injured reserve and Damien Williams placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday.
Police
Chicago cops won't be sent home over vaccine status - yet
"Nobody is going to be turned away," said police department spokesman Tom Ahern. "Officers will be working their normal shifts this weekend (and) they won't be turned away or sent home... Officers will continue coming to work until they are told otherwise..."
Chicago Journal
Deere & Co. workers go on strike after rejecting contract
The contracts under negotiation with the Moline, Illinois-based company cover 14 Deere plants, including seven in Iowa, four in Illinois and one each in Kansas, Colorado, and Georgia.
Crime
Man charged in shooting that killed 7-year-old Chicago girl
Police charged Aireon Luster on Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of 7-year-old Serenity Broughton and he was charged with attempted murder after injuring her 6-year-old sister, Audrey Broughton, in the same shooting.
Crime
Alleged gang members charged in slaying of Chicago rapper
In one of the more high profile murders of last year's many, many, many murders, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago said in a news release that the O-Block gang gunned down Carlton Weekly, also known as "FBG Duck," in August 2020 in the fashionable Gold Coast neighborhood.
Chicago News
Chicago police union head urges cops to defy vaccine mandate
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara vowed to take Mayor Lori Lightfoot's administration to court if it tries to enforce the mandate, which requires city workers to report their vaccine status by the end of the work week.