The council brings storytellers together to help educate and unite people with campaigns.

News conversations were held between an Indiana hospital and the pregnant woman turned away moments before she gave birth. ABC7 Chicago spoke with the baby's father Thursday night.

It is the 22nd strike the U.S. military has carried out against boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that the Trump administration claimed were trafficking drugs.

Chicago police said a man is now charged in a Southwest Side kidnapping and multiple armed robberies that were part of a string of robberies last month across the city. More suspects are still at large.

The drug threat landscape in Chicago is constantly evolving, and so is the Drug Enforcement Administration's efforts to combat deadly drugs like fentanyl from flooding streets. The ABC7 I-Team went inside the DEA Chicago division's lab.

Social media platforms must report monthly how many children's accounts they close once Australia begins enforcing its 16-year age limit next week.

The State Department announced Wednesday evening that the former U.S. Institute of Peace building has been renamed after President Donald Trump.

The Cook County Board of Review is reopening tax appeals for 24 townships until Dec. 12, but it only applies to future bills.

The Supreme Court's order puts the 2-1 ruling blocking the map on hold at least until after the high court issues a final decision in the case.

The owners of a chain of suburban restaurants say hackers stole tens of thousands of dollars by hacking into their food delivery accounts.

NEAR WEST SIDE — Black Panther Party members gathered Wednesday outside a Near West Side two-flat where, almost 56 years ago to the day, Chairman Fred Hampton was assassinated alongside fellow Black Panther Mark Clark. The two-flat at 2337 W. Monroe St. where Hampton and Clark were killed by Chicago police is now the latest site to be commemorated as part of the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail. A vigil and plaque dedication was held at the site Wednesday by the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party to mark the site and anniversary of the assassinations. “They died with the people in their hearts,” Black Panther chapter member Wanda Ross said at Wednesday’s vigil. “Their memory and sacrifice we can never forget, because we are revolutionaries. … We must continue until we are free from racism, free from classism [and] free from hate.” Hampton, Bobby Rush and Bob Brown founded the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in August 1968 ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which saw widespread violence in clashes between demonstrators and police. The local chapter of the Black rights group provided free breakfast to young people and impoverished residents across Chicago. In his brief stint as deputy chairman for the Illinois chapter, Hampton made it his mission to reach across racial barriers and build unity between members of the working class. He founded the Rainbow Coalition, where he collaborated with local groups and street gangs like the Young Lords, Brown Berets and Young Patriots on joint survival projects and demonstrations. Hampton, then 21, was killed alongside Clark, the Black Panthers’ defense captain, during a police raid at the Monroe Street apartment building on Dec. 4, 1969. Founders of the Black Panther Party Bobby Seale and Huey Newton (left image); Illinois Chapter co-founder and Deputy Minister of Defense Bobby Rush and Deputy Chairman Fred Hampton (right). Credit: Provided/Black Panther Party Newspaper, Chicago History Museum, STM-037873701, Chicago Sun-Times Hampton was sleeping in his apartment with his pregnant fiancée, fellow Black Panther Akua Njeri, when, in the early morning hours, undercover officers stormed the building and fired over 90 times, including with machine guns, through walls and windows of the building. His killing was part of the FBI’s targeted Counterintelligence Program that systematically attacked and dismantled left-wing activist groups from 1956-1971, including the Black Panthers. Rush, who served for decades as a congressman after co-founding the Illinois chapter, reflected on Hampton’s significance in his life at Wednesday’s vigil. “Fred Hampton was the most courageous man that I have known. … At age 21, whatever he said, he meant it,” Rush said. “We could not have conducted a revolution by ourselves. We knew we had to have a message behind us, so we went out to organize the masses.” Wednesday’s vigil also served to mark the home as the second location on the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail. A plaque was presented and to be installed as one of the places central to the Black Panther Party’s history in Chicago and Illinois. In August, a plaque was installed at the former headquarters for the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party on the Near West Side. Another plaque is already installed in Peoria. The sites were added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2023 in an effort spearheaded by the Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois chapter of Black Panthers, which unveiled the plaques last year. Bobby Rush speaks at a vigil honoring the 56th anniversary of Fred Hampton’s assassination on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Credit: Michael Liptrot/Block Club Chicago Other sites to get a plaque honoring the Black Panthers: * Better Boys Foundation, 1512 S. Pulaski Road, which was the site of the first free breakfast for children program * The People’s Medical Care Center, 3850 W. 16th St. Wednesday’s vigil was immediately met with protest from Hampton’s son, Fred Hampton Jr., who is opposed to the Illinois Chapter’s preservation efforts. He hosted an impromptu press conference to address his father’s legacy and how he should be remembered. “We will say his name, we will study his work and we will continue his fight because we are all united by his words: ‘You can murder a liberator, but you can’t murder a liberation,'” Hampton Jr. wrote on Instagram. * * * **Support Local News!** **Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, **an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? **Click here to gift a subscription** , or you can**support Block Club with atax-deductible donation.** **Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:** Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnSpotify Financial Crimes Have Become ‘The New Wave’ In Chicago — What to Know Episode play icon Financial Crimes Have Become ‘The New Wave’ In Chicago — What to Know Episode play icon He Started His Own Postal Service Delivering And Reading Mail For Free Episode play icon The Ultimate Guide To Shopping Local In Chicago For The 2025 Holidays Episode play icon Hop On The Bears Bandwagon! They May Be Good Or Might Kinda Suck Episode play icon Breast Cancer Diagnoses Are Up — But More Women Are Surviving Than Ever Load More Search Results placeholder Previous Episode Show Episodes List Next Episode Show Podcast Information

The first "Camp Rock 3" teaser reveals the Jonas Brothers' return and a new cast of campers vying for a chance to join Connect 3 on tour.

An Illinois man pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping earlier this week in federal court.

A pedestrian was hit and killed by a Metra train Thursday in Bensenville, officials said.

One man accused of animal cruelty in a case in which nine dogs died in northwest Indiana has been found not guilty, court records show.

Rockford police said they found three explosive devices in a home Wednesday.

CHICAGO — The first weekend of December in Chicago is filled with holiday shopping opportunities, tree lightings and seasonal celebrations for all ages. The One of a Kind Holiday Show is back at the Mart with over 600 artists and makers, local parks will be lighting up their own trees and menorahs, Lillstreet Art Center is celebrating 50 years of being a creative space and the Chris White Jazz Trio is performing “A Charlie Brown Christmas” tunes at the Lincoln Park Zoo. **Here’s a roundup of 18 things to do in Chicago this weekend:** ## All Weekend > View this post on Instagram ### One of a Kind Holiday Show and Sale 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday Merchandise Mart – 7th floor, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza The One of a Kind Holiday Show returns for its 24th year with over 600 artists, designers and makers. Alongside this unique holiday shopping event that attracts thousands of guests each year, people can enjoy artful projections on the Mart after the market each night at 7:30 p.m. More info here. Visitors at a past Winter WonderFest. Credit: Provided/Navy Pier ### Winter WonderFest 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday Navy Pier – Festival Hall, 600 E. Grand Ave. At this family-friendly holiday experience, Navy Pier is putting on a winter wonderland with an ice rink, rides, live music and performances, a complimentary ride on the Centennial Wheel, bumper cars and more. Learn more and get tickets starting at $25 here. ### Merry Market 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 4842 W. Irving Park Road The Portage Park Chamber of Commerce is hosting a holiday market featuring over 20 local artists and vendors selling handmade goods. There will also be food and drinks, a crafts table for kids, a raffle and entertainment. Learn more here. > View this post on Instagram ### Gangnam Market Anniversary 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 1001 W. Chicago Ave. This Asian supermarket and food hall will be celebrating its second anniversary, offering free food, drinks, beer and wine samples by over a dozen vendors. There will also be lion dancers. In their food hall, enjoy 20 percent off all menu items. Admission is free. ## Friday A past Lillstreet Art Center holiday party. Credit: Joe Tighe ### Lillstreet Art Center’s 50th Anniversary Holiday Party 5-8 p.m. Friday Lillstreet Art Center, 4401 N. Ravenswood Ave. Lillstreet Art Center is celebrating 50 years of being a creative workspace for artists of all levels this weekend with food and drinks, live music, open studios, workshops, a free art demo and a gallery show of functional ceramics. There will also be a screening of “Dream a Lill: 50 Years of Molding Makers,” a new documentary about Lillstreet’s origin story by Chicago filmmaker Gabriel Cuillier. This event is festive, family-friendly and open to the public. Learn more here. ## Saturday ### Western Avenue Holiday Road All day Saturday A stretch of Western Avenue from 99th to 115th streets, plus The Shops at Church 103, in Beverly/Morgan Park The Morgan Park Beverly Hills Business Association is hosting a festive small business Saturday with more than 30 participating businesses, a Holiday Road Trolley, festive food and drink specials, a scavenger hunt, loteria, face painting, trivia, ornament-making, a visit with Santa and more. Learn more here for specific times and locations. ### Hyde Park Holly-Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Various locations Hyde Park Holly-Day is a free, family-friendly celebration with activities around the neighborhood, including a self-guided sculpture stroll along 53rd Street, ice carving demos and costumed characters like Elsa and Olaf in Harper Court and more. There will also be live reindeer at the Hyde Park Shopping Center and dance performances, photos with Santa and holiday crafts at The Promontory. Learn more, find the full schedule and RSVP for free here. ### Queerkindlmarket 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday 6500 N. Clark St. Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is hosting a combination book sale and queer artist market featuring local artists and makers. There’s a suggested $5 donation upon entry. Learn more here. ### Wicker Park/Bucktown Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday Multiple locations in Wicker Park The Wicker Park Advisory Council will be holding a family-friendly day of festive activities starting with fountain decorating and ending with the Wicker Park tree lighting. Learn more here for specific times and locations. ### Drie-cember Market 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday Driehaus Museum, 50 E. Erie St. This one-day market features more than 25 vendors selling vintage jewelry, handcrafted goods and more. There will also be coffee from Chicago Brew Crew, Cajun cuisine from Dolin’ Out and vegan baked goods from The Vulgar Vegan Cupcakes. Admission is free. Learn more here. ### The Holiday Hop Noon Saturday Utopian Tailgate, 1608 N. Wells St. Enjoy a festive Christmas bar crawl in Old Town throughout 12 pariticipating bars. Learn more and get tickets starting at $15 here. ### Mimosas and Holiday Music Day Party Noon-3 p.m. Saturday Old Crow Smokehouse, 3506 N. Clark St. This day party includes three hours of unlimited mimosas as well as non-stop holiday music. There will also be $5 holiday shots for purchase. Tickets start at $25.72 here. ### Ravenswood Light Up Nights Festival and Holiday Market 3-7 p.m. Saturday Wilson Avenue between Ravenswood and Hermitage This free community celebration features a tree lighting ceremony, an indoor holiday market with 16 local vendors, live music, food and drink vendors, a scavenger hunt for kids, photo stations, hot cocoa, caroling, photos with Santa and more. The tree lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m. Learn more here. ### Light Up Mary Bartelme Park For Christmas and Hanukkah 3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday Mary Bartelme Park, 115 S. Sangamon St. Neighbors and families are invited to gather at the park and count down for its 15th annual tree and menorah lighting. There will also be a visit from Santa, holiday music by Merit School of Music, holiday cupcakes and hot cocoa. > View this post on Instagram ### Of Women by Women: Short Films by South Asian Women Filmmakers 4-6 p.m. Saturday South Asia Institute, 1925 S. Michigan Ave. Catch screenings of short films by South Asian women filmmakers Arielle Khan and Aisha Hamid at the South Asia Institute. There will also be a live Q&A afterward, where audience members can ask the filmmakers about their work and journeys. This program runs alongside the institute’s permanent exhibit “Of Women by Women: South Asian Feminist Art and Artists from the Hundal Collection.” Learn more and get tickets for $7.18 here. ## Sunday ### Holiday Market and Exchange Noon-3 p.m. Sunday National Public Housing Museum, 919 S. Ada St. The National Public Housing Museum is hosting its first holiday market in its new home this weekend with a lineup of local artists, makers and creative entrepreneurs. There will also be hands-on workshops and cake. The museum also teamed up with the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness to collect hygiene and winter readiness donations during the event. Find a list of items here. Learn more and register to attend here. ### Chris White Jazz Trio Tribute to ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ 3:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m. shows Sunday Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St. The Chris White Jazz Trio is celebrating the holidays with a jazzy twist, performing Vince Guaraldi’s classic Charlie Brown soundtrack. There will be a matinee show at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center and two evening shows at Café Brauer. All tickets include entry to the show, hot cocoa and cookies, a cash bar and light snacks for purchase, dancing with Snoopy, an appearance from Santa and admission to the ZooLights afterward. Tickets start at $36.60 here. > View this post on Instagram ### A Salute to Ziad Rahbani with the Middle East Music Ensemble 5 p.m. Sunday Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St. The 70-piece Middle East Music Ensemble is back on stage this weekend with a tribute concert to Ziad Rahbani, the late Lebanese composer, pianist and playwright who died in July. The show will feature special guests Firas Zreik on qanun and Andrew Lawrence on piano. Doors open at 4:30 and seats are first come, first served. Learn more here. * * * **Support Local News!** **Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, **an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? **Click here to gift a subscription** , or you can**support Block Club with atax-deductible donation.** **Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:** Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnSpotify Financial Crimes Have Become ‘The New Wave’ In Chicago — What to Know Episode play icon Financial Crimes Have Become ‘The New Wave’ In Chicago — What to Know Episode play icon He Started His Own Postal Service Delivering And Reading Mail For Free Episode play icon The Ultimate Guide To Shopping Local In Chicago For The 2025 Holidays Episode play icon Hop On The Bears Bandwagon! They May Be Good Or Might Kinda Suck Episode play icon Breast Cancer Diagnoses Are Up — But More Women Are Surviving Than Ever Load More Search Results placeholder Previous Episode Show Episodes List Next Episode Show Podcast Information

At least two more vehicles were burglarized Wednesday near Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago police said.

The focus in the murder trial of Brian Walshe turned Thursday to an affair his wife was having before he allegedly killed and dismembered her on New Year's Day 2023.

Share this... * Facebook * Twitter * Linkedin * Pinterest * Reddit * Tumblr * Whatsapp * Email A good sale to / from Chicago Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software will price this at $247 (Regular Economy). Use those dates on **United** should reprice to $123 (Basic Economy) and $213 (Regular Economy). The $213 is the Regular Economy fare with advance seat assignment and normal size carry-on United also has a $123 fare but that is a Basic Economy fare. United Basic Economy fares do not allow for any advance seat assignments. Rather, your seat assignment will be randomly assigned during check-in. In addition, normal size carry-on that does not fit under the seat is charged a $35 fee **each way + applicable gate check fees** (but free if you have a United co-branded credit card or if you have United elite status). ** Sign up for ourReal Time Newsletter to receive economy class deals for your city about an hour _before_ they are even posted on our website and social media channels - all for about a nickel a day. ** ** Interested in Business Class, First Class or Premium Economy deals? Signup for ourPremium Newsletter for about a quarter a day. ** Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois – Photo: Dhilung Kirat via Flickr, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0) ## Sample Travel Date: * January 21st – 28th, 2026 * **This is just ONE SAMPLE travel date, for more availability, please follow the “Fare Availability” and “How to Search for Availability” instructions below** ## Fare Availability: * Valid for travel January 2026 – February 2026 for Tuesday and Wednesday departures and returns. Availability is limited. Must purchase at least 7 days in advance of departure and by **December 4th (TODAY)** * **Please note that while this fare is valid at time of posting, if this post is more than two days old, the fare is likely gone.** ## How to Search for Availability: * **This is just to search for availability. To buy your tickets, scroll down to “How to Buy” section of this post** * Use Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software and use the following search criteria: * **Origin:** SFO * **Origin Advanced Routing Code:** * **Routing Codes** : ua * **Extension Codes** : * **Destination:** ORD * This works both ways, so ORD can be the Origin and SFO can be the Destination * **Return Advanced Routing Code:** * **Textbox 1** : ua * **Textbox 2** : * (Click on Advanced Routing Codes link to enable advanced routing code input) * Select “See calendar of lowest fares” * Length of stay “3-10” (This is just a sample, you can use any 7 day date range like 3-10, 7-14 etc) * Beginner’s Guide on How to Use Matrix by ITA Software * How to Read Airfare Rules and Use It to Your Advantage * **The Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software search page should be like below when all values are inputted** * **You cannot buy tickets using Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. To buy, follow our instructions in the “How to Buy” section below.** ## Fare Class: * N (Basic Economy) * G (Regular Economy) ## Elite Qualifying Dollars: * $169.64 ## Routing: * SFO – ORD (Chicago) – SFO ## Mileage: * **Miles Flown:** 3,680 miles or 3.3 cents per mile (Basic Economy) / 5.8 cents per mile (Regular Economy)** ** * **Redeemable Miles:** 848 miles ## How to Buy: * Book on **United** with dates found on Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. ## Accommodations * TripAdvisor - One of the leading hotel meta-search engines. Find the lowest hotel prices from 200+ sites. ## Car Rentals * Rental Cars - One of the world’s leading car rental agencies. Includes all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise etc. ## Activities and Tours * Viator – The world's largest marketplace for destination activities and tours For more of the latest cheap Chicago Flight Deals: * Go to the The Chicago Flight Deals page For more of the latest cheap San Francisco / Bay Area Flight Deals: * Go to the The San Francisco / Bay Area Flight Deals page _* The Flight Deal will receive a commission if you use the accommodation, car rental, activities, or travel insurance affiliate links to make a booking or apply and is approved for a credit card using our link above. Thank you for your continuing support._ ===== To make sure you receive our latest deals, LIKE our The Flight Deal Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter @TheFlightDeal, Threads @TheFlightDeal or The Flight Deal WhatsApp channel or subscribe to The Flight Deal RSS Feed or Subscribe via Email (Once a Day) The Flight Deal does not sell travel products or services. We provide you with information about third-party travel suppliers’ offers, and link you to their sites. The information posted by The Flight Deal is valid at the time of publication. However, we have no control over the suppliers, and we therefore do not warrant or guarantee that their offers will not change or become unavailable. Nor are we responsible for their products, services or site content. Please see their sites for their most up-to-date offer information and all applicable terms and conditions. Share this... * Facebook * Twitter * Linkedin * Pinterest * Reddit * Tumblr * Whatsapp * Email Stay Informed on the Latest Deals Sign up to receive The Flight Deal Daily DealsLetter, to stay up to date with the latest and greatest flight deals available. Email

Share this... * Facebook * Twitter * Linkedin * Pinterest * Reddit * Tumblr * Whatsapp * Email A good sale for to/from Chicago Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software will price this at $213 (Regular Economy). Use those dates on **United** should reprice to $123 (Basic Economy) and $213 (Regular Economy). The $213 fare is a regular economy fare that allows for normal size carry-on and one personal item in addition to advance seat assignment. United also has a $123 fare but that is a Basic Economy fare. United Basic Economy fares do not allow for any advance seat assignments. Rather, your seat assignment will be randomly assigned during check-in. In addition, normal size carry-on that does not fit under the seat is charged a $35 fee **each way + applicable gate check fees** (but free if you have an United co-branded credit card or if you have United elite status). ** Sign up for ourReal Time Newsletter to receive economy class deals for your city about an hour _before_ they are even posted on our website and social media channels - all for about a nickel a day. ** ** Interested in Business Class, First Class or Premium Economy deals? Signup for ourPremium Newsletter for about a quarter a day. ** Millennium Park, Chicago, Illinois – Photo: Dhilung Kirat via Flickr, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0) ## Sample Travel Date: * January 21st – 28th, 2026 * **This is just ONE SAMPLE travel date, for more availability, please follow the “Fare Availability” and “How to Search for Availability” instructions below** ## Fare Availability: * Valid for travel from January 2026 – February 2026 for Tuesday and Wednesday departures and returns. Availability is limited. Must purchase at least 7 days in advance of departure and by **December 4th (TODAY)** * **Please note that while this fare is valid at time of posting, if this post is more than two days old, the fare is likely gone.** ## How to Search for Availability: * **This is just to search for availability. To buy your tickets, scroll down to “How to Buy” section of this post** * Use Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software and use the following search criteria: * **Origin:** PDX * **Origin Advanced Routing Code:** * **Routing Codes** : ua * **Extension Codes** : * **Destination:** ORD * This works both ways, so ORD can be the Origin and PDX can be the Destination * **Return Advanced Routing Code:** * **Routing Codes** : ua * **Extension Codes** : * (Click on Advanced Routing Codes link to enable advanced routing code input) * Select “See calendar of lowest fares” * Length of stay “3-10” (This is just a sample, you can use any 7 day date range like 3-10, 7-14 etc) * Beginner’s Guide on How to Use Matrix by ITA Software * How to Read Airfare Rules and Use It to Your Advantage * **The Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software search page should be like below when all values are inputted** * **You cannot buy tickets using Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. To buy, follow our instructions in the “How to Buy” section below.** ## Fare Class**:** * N (Basic Economy) * G (Regular Economy) ## **Elite Qualifying Dollars:** * $169.64 ## Routing: * PDX – ORD (Chicago) – PDX ## Mileage: * **Miles Flown:** 3,466 miles or 3.5 cents per mile (Basic Economy) / 6.1 cents per mile (Regular Economy) * **Redeemable Miles:** 848 miles ## How to Buy: * Book on **United** with dates found on Matrix Airfare Search by ITA Software. ## Accommodations * TripAdvisor - One of the leading hotel meta-search engines. Find the lowest hotel prices from 200+ sites. ## Car Rentals * Rental Cars - One of the world’s leading car rental agencies. Includes all the major brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise etc. ## Activities and Tours * Viator – The world's largest marketplace for destination activities and tours For more of the latest cheap Chicago Flight Deals: * Go to the The Chicago Flight Deals page For more of the latest cheap Portland Flight Deals: * Go to the The Portland Flight Deals page _* The Flight Deal will receive a commission if you use the accommodation, car rental, activities, or travel insurance affiliate links to make a booking or apply and is approved for a credit card using our link above. Thank you for your continuing support._ ===== To make sure you receive our latest deals, LIKE our The Flight Deal Facebook Page, follow us on Twitter @TheFlightDeal, Threads @TheFlightDeal or The Flight Deal WhatsApp channel or subscribe to The Flight Deal RSS Feed or Subscribe via Email (Once a Day) The Flight Deal does not sell travel products or services. We provide you with information about third-party travel suppliers’ offers, and link you to their sites. The information posted by The Flight Deal is valid at the time of publication. However, we have no control over the suppliers, and we therefore do not warrant or guarantee that their offers will not change or become unavailable. Nor are we responsible for their products, services or site content. Please see their sites for their most up-to-date offer information and all applicable terms and conditions. Share this... * Facebook * Twitter * Linkedin * Pinterest * Reddit * Tumblr * Whatsapp * Email Stay Informed on the Latest Deals Sign up to receive The Flight Deal Daily DealsLetter, to stay up to date with the latest and greatest flight deals available. Email

While balancing classes and childcare, a student at the University of Houston turns to the campus pantry to feed his family.

__This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with the Invisible Institute and co-published with the Chicago Sun-Times.__Sign up for Dispatches_ _to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.__ CHICAGO — One of Chicago’s newest police sergeants had been deemed “unfit to serve” after an investigation uncovered evidence that he created a fake Facebook account and spread a nude photo of a woman he was sexually involved with, then lied to investigators about it. Another new sergeant had been found to have engaged in conduct that “seriously undermines public faith, credibility, and trust in the Department” after he was accused of sexual assault and domestic violence. The conclusions were made by independent investigators from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. COPA recommended firing both. The first officer ultimately negotiated a one-year suspension and was assigned to supervise officers downtown and in the West Loop. The second officer’s case is still pending; he was assigned to supervise officers patrolling neighborhoods on the city’s South Side. The officers’ promotions this spring were not due to an oversight. Department officials knew about their disciplinary records, but those records could not be considered as the department evaluated their fitness for promotion. The main qualifying factor was their test scores from a two-part exam. That Chicago police officers can rise in the ranks in spite of significant problems in their records reflects a decadeslong failing that the Chicago Police Department has been repeatedly called on to fix, an investigation by the Invisible Institute and ProPublica found. Chicago’s system of promotions remains out of step with other big cities. Police departments in New York City and Los Angeles consider disciplinary records before promoting officers, seeing their past actions as a critical factor in determining if they’re fit to supervise others. A survey conducted for the CPD of more than a dozen major departments found that only one did not consider discipline in promotions. In New Orleans, the police department created a promotions policy that considers an officer’s disciplinary history after it fell under a federal consent decree stemming from decades of corruption and misconduct. The department took nearly four years to create and launch its new policy. Chicago is nearly seven years into a state consent decree that is intended in part to address issues with the department’s promotions system. Between November 2023 and this April, the city has paid a consulting firm at least $430,000 to study personnel policies, including making recommendations on how to incorporate disciplinary histories into the process. The problem, however, remains unaddressed by the department. That means officers like Sgt. Ernesto Guzman-Sanchez, accused of distributing a nude photo of a woman he knew, and Sgt. Christopher Lockhart, whom oversight investigators found responsible for acts of domestic violence and sexual assault, can continue to move up the ranks despite their disciplinary records. In 2020, COPA ruled that Guzman-Sanchez “went to great lengths to conceal” his actions regarding the photo. The officer challenged the proposed firing, and during a Chicago Police Board hearing, his brother claimed responsibility. Department officials said the evidence was inconclusive and negotiated a suspension. Guzman-Sanchez, who has denied the allegations, declined to comment. COPA recommended in January 2024 that Lockhart be fired following its investigation into allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault. Investigators found evidence of violent incidents, including one in which Lockhart allegedly grabbed his then-girlfriend by the neck and slammed her to the floor, COPA records show. Sgt. Christopher Lockhart was promoted this year despite the Civilian Office of Police Accountability’s findings last year that his conduct “seriously undermines public faith, credibility, and trust in the Department. Credit: Obtained by Invisible Institute. Highlighted by ProPublica. Redactions original. Lockhart denied the allegations and blamed one incident in which his accuser was bruised on rough consensual sex. The case is still ongoing. Lockhart did not respond to inquiries for this story. The Chicago Police Department declined to comment for this story. But during an August hearing, CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said discipline should be considered during the promotions process. In a statement, Mayor Brandon Johnson said he plans to work with Snelling and prioritize reforming policies. “We must take a close look at the current promotion policies and make the necessary reforms so that we are promoting the best of our officers to set a strong example,” the mayor said. Joe Ferguson, who was the city’s inspector general for 12 years, questioned whether there was the political will to enact reform. “To me, the question really is, why isn’t this elevated as a priority?” said Ferguson, who now heads the Civic Federation, a civic accountability and research organization. Ferguson, who described sergeants as crucial to modeling good behavior for younger officers, said the competing interests of the city and the Fraternal Order of Police, the union representing rank-and-file officers, may be partly to blame for a lack of progress. The union doesn’t want discipline to derail an officer’s career and for years has made that a central point in its labor negotiations with the city. The union did not respond to questions from the Invisible Institute and ProPublica. CPD has struggled to identify troubled officers. In May, the two news organizations identified 14 officers who faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations in the last decade. Elizabeth Payne, the legal director at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, said she would like to see the department adopt stricter criteria for promoting officers. Elevating officers like Guzman-Sanchez and Lockhart to supervisory roles, she said, sends the wrong message to the public and to other officers. “When you make a decision to promote somebody who has disciplinary history like this, you are consciously deciding to signal something about your priorities,” Payne said. “That’s really unfortunate.” Chicago police officers can receive promotions based on their test scores from a two-day exam even if they have problematic records. Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis for ProPublica ### Ignoring Promotion Reform Illinois Assistant Attorney General Abigail Durkin didn’t mince words during a hearing in August before U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer. Durkin’s office brought the lawsuit that prompted Chicago’s police consent decree, and she expressed concern that the department had again failed to make changes to its promotions process. “As I explained to this court almost exactly one year ago today, the vast majority of candidates promoted, CPD does not consider their prior discipline in deciding whether to promote them,” she told Pallmeyer. She added: “But now where are we? … We stressed that action needed to be taken and discipline must be considered prior to an individual’s promotion. This court agreed.” In 2019, the consent decree — prompted by the 2014 police killing of Laquan McDonald and its aftermath — required wide-ranging reforms that included new use-of-force policies, more robust police oversight and changes to training. The decree also required the department to develop a policy to review and consider an officer’s disciplinary history as part of promotions. About 70% of promotions are achieved from what is known as a rank-order system, where top candidates are chosen solely by how they score on an exam, according to a report by the consulting firm the city hired. The other way to get a promotion is merit-based, which relies on supervisor recommendations and a review by a Merit Board made up of top department officials. The system was created in the 1990s following two decades of litigation to force the department to increase representation of women and officers of color in management. Under merit-based promotions, candidates’ disciplinary histories can become a factor, but only complaints that are labeled “sustained” or lead to suspensions can be considered, according to a 2020 report from DCI Consulting Group. Over the years, officers with a range of disciplinary findings have been able to rise in the ranks. Among them was an officer whom internal investigators recommended be fired after a 2007 off-duty incident in which he was found to have driven his motorcycle while drunk and crashed into another vehicle, killing his passenger, according to media reports. The officer, according to Police Board data, was given a lengthy suspension but ultimately not fired. He was promoted to sergeant in 2017, according to Chicago police data. It’s unclear whether the promotion was rank-order or merit-based. In 2020, the city hired DCI, a Washington, D.C., firm that helps organizations with human resources and personnel matters, to examine the department’s promotion policies. In its first report that year, DCI said updating the promotions policy to consider discipline was a “high priority.” Three years later, DCI made the same recommendations and noted the lack of progress. “CPD’s non-consideration of discipline is not aligned with most other departments; only one other jurisdiction reported not considering discipline prior to promotions,” the 2023 DCI report said. Ongoing tension between the city and the police union over how to handle discipline is never far from the discussion about promotions — even though promotions are not part of the union contract and instead are governed by the department’s general orders, policies that everyone must follow. DCI said in one report that officers did not want discipline to be reviewed as part of promotions because of “issues with the discipline process.” Officers and the union have long argued that the disciplinary process is unfair and arbitrary. Snelling did not respond to requests for comment. But he acknowledged at the August hearing that reforming the promotion policy to include discipline has been slow and said the department needed time to ensure the changes stand up to legal scrutiny. “We want to make sure that if these things go to litigation, that we are airtight on what we’re doing to make sure that we have our policies in place,” Snelling said. Alexandra Block of the ACLU of Illinois, which is part of a coalition of 14 community and civil rights groups that forced the consent decree, said she would like to see changes in the promotions policies. But the coalition has been focused on issues “primarily concerned with how people are experiencing policing on the streets of Chicago,” she said. Block said reviewing an officer’s disciplinary record before promotion has lost priority to other pressing reforms and added that “there is not the political will to accomplish” it. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling, center, has acknowledged that the department has been slow to reform its promotion policy. Credit: Jamie Kelter Davis ### Flawed System, Flawed Results In the Spring of 2023, Sgt. Isagany Peralta was promoted to oversee officers in Chicago’s 3rd Police District, which covers large sections of the Woodlawn, South Shore and Greater Grand Crossing neighborhoods on the city’s South Side. Six and a half years earlier, internal investigators found that Peralta had sexually harassed a female colleague over six months. Shortly after they started working in the same tactical unit, Peralta told her he would “bend her over the desk” and sexually assault her, investigative reports show. Three officers told investigators they heard the explicit comment. Peralta also was accused of harassing the colleague over her sexual orientation. Investigators described his conduct as “the very definition of sexual harassment” and “unbecoming” of a police officer, according to investigative files obtained by the Invisible Institute and ProPublica. He was suspended for 20 days. Peralta challenged the suspension, but an independent arbitrator upheld it, stating that Peralta was “clearly guilty.” It is unclear whether Peralta was promoted through the rank-order or merit-based system in 2023. Either way, his punishment wouldn’t have been considered, according to the department’s policy. Under the merit-based process, discipline history matters only when an officer has three or more sustained suspensions in the last five years or was suspended more than seven days in the year prior to the promotion, according to DCI’s 2020 report. Peralta’s suspension for sexual harassment wouldn’t have been enough on its own to count against him. The female colleague also reported that their supervisor, Sgt. Robert Belczak, was made aware of Peralta’s troubling behavior but did not intervene, according to investigative files. Belczak told investigators he spoke with Peralta about his behavior. Still, investigators ruled that Belczak “failed to take supervisory action” to stop Peralta.Belczak received a 25-day suspension. He resigned in 2015 before completing the suspension. Peralta and Belczak did not respond to requests for comment. Records from the Chicago Police Department’s Bureau of Internal Affairs about a sexual harassment investigation lodged against Isagany Peralta. He received a 20-day suspension. Then in 2023, he was promoted to sergeant. Credit: Obtained by Invisible Institute. Highlights added by ProPublica. Additional redactions by ProPublica. Belczak is one of at least three CPD supervisors punished for failing to report sexual misconduct. Among them was an officer promoted to sergeant while under investigation for declining to cooperate with a Chicago Public Schools inquiry into a fellow officer who was arrested on charges of having a sexual relationship with a high school student. Both officers worked at the student’s school. At the end of the investigation, the sergeant was suspended for 10 days. These sorts of cases highlight the crucial role supervisors play in shaping department culture and maintaining discipline. “There’s probably nothing that impacts the handling of sexual misconduct complaints more than culture,” said Christy Lopez, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center who previously worked with the U.S. Department of Justice leading investigations into police departments, including Chicago beginning in 2015. Justin Frake, an assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business who has studied CPD misconduct, said young officers learn how to police from their supervisors. “I think we model our superiors,” Frake said. Even as the CPD continues to fall short of consent-decree expectations and reforming its promotions system to include discipline, Snelling has acknowledged the need for change — and the reason why it’s necessary. “I do believe that disciplinary history should be taken into consideration when we’re making promotions, because these are people who are going to be leading other people,” Snelling said at the August hearing over the consent decree. “And just scoring well on a test is — I don’t believe that it’s enough to just lead other officers.” _Andrew Fan and Maheen Khan of the Invisible Institute contributed reporting and data analysis. Mariam Elba of ProPublica contributed research._ * * * **Support Local News!** When you support Block Club, you’re helping us share the work of all of Chicago’s nonprofit newsrooms. **Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, **an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Already subscribe? **Support Block Club with atax-deductible donation.** **Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:** Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnGoogle PodcastsListen OnSpotify Financial Crimes Have Become ‘The New Wave’ In Chicago — What to Know Episode play icon Financial Crimes Have Become ‘The New Wave’ In Chicago — What to Know Episode play icon He Started His Own Postal Service Delivering And Reading Mail For Free Episode play icon The Ultimate Guide To Shopping Local In Chicago For The 2025 Holidays Episode play icon Hop On The Bears Bandwagon! 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