Crime
Chicago officer charged in death of husband, also an officer
Jacqueline Villasenor, 39, was charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and was scheduled to appear in bond court Friday.
News
News from the Chicago Journal and its partners.
Business
Deere to Union: A better offer's not coming
Deere & Co. will release its next earnings report later this month. The disputed contract would cover more than 10,000 Deere workers at 12 facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas, who make the company's iconic John Deere green tractors and other equipment.
Chicago Politics
Ex-Illinois House Leader Luis Arroyo pleads guilty to bribery
The so-called blind plea, offered without knowing of the sentence he will receive, could land the 67-year-old Chicago Democrat in prison for 20 years and cost him a $250,000 fine. Sentencing was set for Feb. 18.
Crime
Chicago woman who assisted in killing mom in Bali arrested on arrival at O'Hare
FBI agents took Heather Mack, 26, into custody on her arrival at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Wednesday morning.
Crime
Woman charged in Halloween morning murder of 22-year-old female
Police had identified her as the person who shot and killed a 22-year-old female in the 7600 block of S. Morgan at approximately 10:30 a.m. the morning of October 31, 2021.
Business
Deere employees reject contract offer, continue strike
Employees would have received between $22.13 an hour and $33.05 an hour, depending on their position. It would have provided an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserved a pension option for new hires, made workers eligible for health insurance sooner, and maintained no-premium health insurance coverage.
Crime
Off-duty Chicago police officer shot in domestic incident near O'Hare
The officer was off-duty at the time of the incident and sources tell us the 44-year-old was shot by his spouse, who is also a Chicago police officer who was off-duty at the time.
Law
Another federal racketeering charge leveled against violent Chicago street gang
First it was a set of the Black Disciples and today a set of Vice Lords. For the second time in three weeks, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced racketeering charges against a violent Chicago street gang. Prosecutors could seek the death penalty in some of the charges.
Chicago Journal
Rittenhouse trial goes to opening statements after jury set
Rittenhouse faces two homicide counts and one of attempted homicide, along with charges of reckless endangering and illegal possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18. Now 18, he faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree homicide, the most serious charge against him.
Crime
Police: Joliet Halloween party shooting gang-related
The Will County Sheriff's Office also updated the number of people injured in the shooting, saying nine people were sent to hospitals in addition to those who died. One person remained in critical condition and three remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
College Sports
Illini's Kofi Cockburn, pre-season All-American, to sit 3 games for selling items too early
In addition to the missed games, Cockburn will repay the amount generated from selling apparel by making a donation to a charity of his choice. It wasn't immediately clear how much that would be.
Illinois Politics
Gov. Pritzker declares gun violence a public health crisis
In addition to the formal declaration, the Pritzker admin is establishing the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention and the Reimagine Public Safety Plan, providing $250 million in state and federal funding towards the initiative.