Sam Charles
@samjcharles.bsky.social
Chicago Tribune reporter covering the Chicago Police Department / criminal justice
scharles@chicagotribune.com
Signal: scharles.77
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sam-charles-staff.html
scharles@chicagotribune.com
Signal: scharles.77
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sam-charles-staff.html
Reposted by Sam Charles
Two Chicago police officers who started a drunken daytime brawl at a Wrigleyville pizza restaurant in 2019 reached settlement agreements with the city that allowed them to keep their jobs after each served a one-year suspension. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/2...
2 Chicago cops who started drunken Wrigleyville brawl kept jobs after one-year suspensions
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability disclosed both officers were recommended to be separated from CPD the city later agreed to let the men each serve a one-year suspension.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Two Chicago police officers who started a drunken daytime brawl at a Wrigleyville pizza restaurant in 2019 reached settlement agreements with the city that allowed them to keep their jobs after each served a one-year suspension. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/2...
Two Chicago police officers who started a drunken daytime brawl at a Wrigleyville pizza restaurant in 2019 reached settlement agreements with the city that allowed them to keep their jobs after each served a one-year suspension. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/2...
2 Chicago cops who started drunken Wrigleyville brawl kept jobs after one-year suspensions
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability disclosed both officers were recommended to be separated from CPD the city later agreed to let the men each serve a one-year suspension.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Two Chicago police officers who started a drunken daytime brawl at a Wrigleyville pizza restaurant in 2019 reached settlement agreements with the city that allowed them to keep their jobs after each served a one-year suspension. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/12/2...
A CPD sergeant has filed a federal lawsuit against the city — seeking class status to represent scores of CPD officers — alleging CPD’s internal affairs improperly pauses investigations when the same allegations are raised in litigation www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/07/c...
CPD sergeant sues city over discipline delays in internal affairs cases
A Chicago Police sergeant who was sexually harassed by her former supervisor has filed a federal lawsuit against the city — seeking class status to represent scores of CPD officers — alleging CPD’s…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM
A CPD sergeant has filed a federal lawsuit against the city — seeking class status to represent scores of CPD officers — alleging CPD’s internal affairs improperly pauses investigations when the same allegations are raised in litigation www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/07/c...
‘The use of force shocks the conscience’: Judge issues sweeping injunction on Chicago tactics of immigration agents www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/06/o...
‘The use of force shocks the conscience’: Judge issues sweeping injunction on Chicago tactics of immigration agents
The incoming preliminary injunction replaces a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis in early October that was set to expire at 11:30 a.m.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
‘The use of force shocks the conscience’: Judge issues sweeping injunction on Chicago tactics of immigration agents www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/06/o...
Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Wednesday said the use of tear gas by federal immigration agents has lessened after he spoke with leaders from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/t...
Border Patrol tear gas use involving cops down after talking with CPD, Snelling says
Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Wednesday said the use of tear gas by federal immigration agents has lessened after he spoke with leaders from Customs and Border Protection.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Wednesday said the use of tear gas by federal immigration agents has lessened after he spoke with leaders from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/05/t...
911 calls in Chicago are down sharply over the last two months since the start of "Operation Midway Blitz"
The decline is largest in Little Village www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/9...
The decline is largest in Little Village www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/9...
Operation Midway Blitz linked to dip in 911 calls, especially in Little Village
The rate of 911 calls made in Chicago has dropped precipitously in the two months since the start of Operation Midway Blitz, a Tribune review of city data found, and nowhere is the decrease more pr…
www.chicagotribune.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
911 calls in Chicago are down sharply over the last two months since the start of "Operation Midway Blitz"
The decline is largest in Little Village www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/9...
The decline is largest in Little Village www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/9...
Nanci Koschman, long-grieving mother, dies 21 years after her son was killed by Mayor Daley's nephew chicago.suntimes.com/koschman/202...
Nanci Koschman, long-grieving mother, dies 21 years after her son was killed by Mayor Daley's nephew
In the face of a Chicago police cover-up, she couldn't get answers until a Sun-Times investigation prompted the appointment of a special prosecutor and Richard J. "R.J." Vanecko's conviction.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Nanci Koschman, long-grieving mother, dies 21 years after her son was killed by Mayor Daley's nephew chicago.suntimes.com/koschman/202...
‘Not how any of us want to live’: Judge orders Border Control Cmdr. Gregory Bovino to appear in court every day to report any immigration enforcement incidents www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/28/j...
‘Not how any of us want to live’: Judge orders Border Control Cmdr. Gregory Bovino to appear in court every day to report any immigration enforcement incidents
A federal judge was taking Border Control Cmdr. Gregory Bovino point by point through her temporary restraining order restricting the use of tear gas and other controversial tactics used by his age…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:11 PM
‘Not how any of us want to live’: Judge orders Border Control Cmdr. Gregory Bovino to appear in court every day to report any immigration enforcement incidents www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/28/j...
Eight years after he was acquitted of a murder charge, a South Side drill rapper with close ties to Chicago musician Lil Durk was shot to death in Little Village over the weekend.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/t...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/t...
THF Bayzoo, associate of Lil Durk, killed in Little Village shooting
Eight years after he was acquitted of a murder charge, South Side drill rapper “THF Bayzoo,” who had close ties to Chicago musician Lil Durk, was shot to death in Little Village over the weekend.…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Eight years after he was acquitted of a murder charge, a South Side drill rapper with close ties to Chicago musician Lil Durk was shot to death in Little Village over the weekend.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/t...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/t...
Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino accused of violating judge’s order by throwing tear gas at crowd in Little Village Thursday www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/23/f...
Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino accused of violating judge’s order by throwing tear gas at crowd in Little Village Thursday
Federal immigration officials were in Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side Thursday for the second time in two days.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino accused of violating judge’s order by throwing tear gas at crowd in Little Village Thursday www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/23/f...
NEW: Chicago police release redacted video of peripheral role in controversial South Shore immigration raid www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/s...
Chicago police release redacted video of peripheral role in controversial South Shore immigration raid
Newly released — though heavily redacted — video footage released by Chicago police sheds new light on the arrest of a U.S. citizen the night that federal immigration agents stormed a troubled Sout…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 17, 2025 at 8:48 PM
NEW: Chicago police release redacted video of peripheral role in controversial South Shore immigration raid www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/17/s...
Community leaders from the city’s East Side neighborhood gathered Wednesday morning to denounce the actions of federal agents who deployed tear gas canisters on a residential street after a pursuit and vehicle crash. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/l...
Local leaders call press conference to decry East Side tear gas response by immigration agents
Community leaders from the city’s East Side neighborhood gathered Wednesday morning to denounce the actions of federal agents who deployed tear gas canisters on a residential street after a pursuit…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 15, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Community leaders from the city’s East Side neighborhood gathered Wednesday morning to denounce the actions of federal agents who deployed tear gas canisters on a residential street after a pursuit and vehicle crash. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/l...
Federal agents deploy tear gas following East Side traffic crash www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/14/i...
Federal agents deploy tear gas following East Side traffic crash
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers deployed tear gas on the Far South Side Tuesday to quell a clash with residents who demanded the enforcement officers leave the neighborhood, witnesses …
www.chicagotribune.com
October 14, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Federal agents deploy tear gas following East Side traffic crash www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/14/i...
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s deposition in Burge case stays under wraps www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/08/d...
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s deposition in Burge case stays under wraps
Sworn testimony from former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley regarding torture tactics used by detectives working for disgraced Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge will remain out of the public view, at l…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s deposition in Burge case stays under wraps www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/08/d...
"The resignations, which they said would take effect on Oct. 13, were accepted immediately and left two of the newspapers with one reporter each, and a third without any journalists on staff"
Journalists at 3 Newspapers Quit Over Edits to a Charlie Kirk Story www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
Journalists at 3 Newspapers Quit Over Edits to a Charlie Kirk Story www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
Journalists at 3 Newspapers Quit Over Edits to a Charlie Kirk Story
www.nytimes.com
October 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
"The resignations, which they said would take effect on Oct. 13, were accepted immediately and left two of the newspapers with one reporter each, and a third without any journalists on staff"
Journalists at 3 Newspapers Quit Over Edits to a Charlie Kirk Story www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
Journalists at 3 Newspapers Quit Over Edits to a Charlie Kirk Story www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
With national eye on Chicago violence, mayor’s neighborhood among those still waiting for progress
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/26/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/26/c...
With national eye on Chicago violence, mayor’s neighborhood among those still waiting for progress
Trump’s hyperbole on violent crime in Chicago has come during a steep decrease in homicides, but not in the Austin neighborhood of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:22 PM
With national eye on Chicago violence, mayor’s neighborhood among those still waiting for progress
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/26/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/26/c...
Chicago defends slow pace of notification letters for toxic lead water pipes www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/22/c...
Chicago defends slow pace of notification letters for toxic lead water pipes
Chicago’s top water officials defended Monday their decision to skirt a law requiring the city to warn nearly a million Chicagoans that their water comes from toxic lead service pipes.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Chicago defends slow pace of notification letters for toxic lead water pipes www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/22/c...
County judge rules city’s lawsuit against Glock can proceed www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/18/c...
County judge rules city’s lawsuit against Glock can proceed
A Cook County judge on Thursday denied motions to dismiss a lawsuit brought last year by the city against gun manufacturer Glock and a pair of suburban gun stores. In a 17-page order, Judge Allen P…
www.chicagotribune.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:49 AM
County judge rules city’s lawsuit against Glock can proceed www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/18/c...
President Donald Trump reiterates vow that ‘we’re going in’ to Chicago but won’t say when www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/02/p...
President Donald Trump reiterates vow that ‘we’re going in’ to Chicago but won’t say when
While saying he still intended to send the National Guard to Chicago over crime, he did not specify a date, as immigration enforcement operations are expected to be ramped up in next few days.
www.chicagotribune.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:18 PM
President Donald Trump reiterates vow that ‘we’re going in’ to Chicago but won’t say when www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/02/p...
CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling rebuked a Northwest Side alderman who expressed skepticism about the city's year-over-year declines in crime and violence.
"The most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" and "a slap in the face," Snelling told the Tribune.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/29/r...
"The most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" and "a slap in the face," Snelling told the Tribune.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/29/r...
‘Ridiculous’: Top cop pushes back against alderman who suggests city crime stats could be altered
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling this week rebuked a Northwest Side alderman who expressed skepticism about Chicago’s year-over-year crime declines as the city girds itself ahead of a p…
www.chicagotribune.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:51 PM
CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling rebuked a Northwest Side alderman who expressed skepticism about the city's year-over-year declines in crime and violence.
"The most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" and "a slap in the face," Snelling told the Tribune.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/29/r...
"The most ridiculous thing I've ever heard" and "a slap in the face," Snelling told the Tribune.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/29/r...
The bullet that took the life of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera struck her from behind through an opening in her bulletproof vest, newly released autopsy records confirm. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/20/b...
Bullet that killed Officer Krystal Rivera struck her from behind in vest opening: autopsy
More than two months after her death, slain CPD Officer Krystal Rivera’s autopsy was finalized by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
www.chicagotribune.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The bullet that took the life of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera struck her from behind through an opening in her bulletproof vest, newly released autopsy records confirm. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/20/b...
Reposted by Sam Charles
A high-ranking Chicago police supervisor faced withering public criticism last week for his involvement in a wrongful 2001 murder conviction that was reversed last year by the Illinois Appellate Court. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/03/n...
Growing calls of ‘no confidence’ in CPD commander tied to wrongful murder conviction
At least two CPD district councils plan to hold symbolic no-confidence votes in John Foster, the commander of Area 5 Detectives, who oversees the investigations into the most serious crimes across …
www.chicagotribune.com
August 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A high-ranking Chicago police supervisor faced withering public criticism last week for his involvement in a wrongful 2001 murder conviction that was reversed last year by the Illinois Appellate Court. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/03/n...
A high-ranking Chicago police supervisor faced withering public criticism last week for his involvement in a wrongful 2001 murder conviction that was reversed last year by the Illinois Appellate Court. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/03/n...
Growing calls of ‘no confidence’ in CPD commander tied to wrongful murder conviction
At least two CPD district councils plan to hold symbolic no-confidence votes in John Foster, the commander of Area 5 Detectives, who oversees the investigations into the most serious crimes across …
www.chicagotribune.com
August 3, 2025 at 2:09 PM
A high-ranking Chicago police supervisor faced withering public criticism last week for his involvement in a wrongful 2001 murder conviction that was reversed last year by the Illinois Appellate Court. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/03/n...
Lawyers for Chicago Housing Authority used ChatGPT to cite nonexistent court case www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/17/c...
Lawyers for Chicago Housing Authority used ChatGPT to cite nonexistent court case
In the latest headache for CHA, law firm Goldberg Segalla used artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, in a post-trial motion and neglected to check their work, court records show.
www.chicagotribune.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Lawyers for Chicago Housing Authority used ChatGPT to cite nonexistent court case www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/17/c...
CPD officers reporting use of force more often, as video becomes important training tool www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/15/c...
CPD officers reporting use of force more often, as video becomes important training tool
Body-worn camera footage serves as valuable training material for the city’s Police Department in its post-Laquan McDonald era of reform.
www.chicagotribune.com
July 15, 2025 at 3:10 PM
CPD officers reporting use of force more often, as video becomes important training tool www.chicagotribune.com/2025/07/15/c...