cook county

NYC joins a growing wave of local governments erasing residents' medical debt

5:04am January 23, 2024

by Yuki Noguchi

The city is partnering with the nonprofit RIP Medical Debt to buy up and forgive unpaid medical bills. The trend started in Cook County, Ill., and is spreading to cities across the country.

R. Kelly appearing in court in Chicago in Sept. 2019, alongside his attorney Steven Greenberg (L).

R. Kelly sentenced to one more year in prison for child pornography

1:01pm February 23, 2023

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The disgraced former R&B star is already serving 30 years for sex trafficking and racketeering. On Thursday, he was given one more year in prison for having made pornography with three children.

Nurses and community faith leaders participate in a protest outside the Cook County Jail in Chicago, on April 10, 2020, calling for the release of prisoners from the jail. A federal judge ordered Cook County Jail to take prompt action to stop the spread o

National

The COVID-19 Struggle In Chicago's Cook County Jail

6:09pm April 13, 2020

by Cheryl Corley

Cook County Jail's coronavirus outbreak has prompted policy changes and a federal lawsuit. More than 500 staff and detainees infected.

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A judge has ordered a special prosecutor to look into how the case against actor Jussie Smollett was handled. Smollett is seen here in March, leaving a courthouse in Chicago after all charges against him were dropped.

National

Judge Orders Special Prosecutor To Review Handling Of Jussie Smollett Case

3:06pm June 21, 2019

by Bill Chappell

A judge in Illinois' Cook County says a special prosecutor should review the case "to restore the public's confidence in the integrity of our criminal justice system."

People walk past the Cook County Criminal Courts Building in April 2012. Public Defender Amy Campanelli wants sheriff's deputies to monitor the lockup areas to prevent men in custody from exposing themselves to female attorneys.

National

In Chicago, Female Public Defenders Want Men In Lockup To Keep It In Their Pants

1:21pm November 06, 2017

by Cheryl Corley

The Cook County public defender wants authorities to find a way to stop men in custody from exposing themselves to female attorneys. "It's disgusting, it's awful and my lawyers are being assaulted."

Former President Barack Obama will report for jury duty in Cook County, Ill., in November.

Former Presidents: They're Just Like Us! Obama Summoned For Jury Duty

2:19pm October 28, 2017

by Maggie Penman

Barack Obama is to report next month in Cook County, Ill. If selected, he wouldn't be the first high-profile juror — Oprah Winfrey served in a murder trial in 2004.

Laquan McDonald (right) walks down the street moments before being shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke in Chicago in October 2014, in a still shot from a police dashcam video.

National

3 Chicago Police Officers Accused Of Cover-Up In Killing Of Laquan McDonald

6:24pm June 27, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

The Cook County grand jury indictment alleges that the three police officers were at the scene of the killing and worked together to conceal crucial facts in order to protect a fellow officer.

There was a huge jump last year in the number of murders in Chicago. As young people are affected by the gun violence, community leaders look for answers.

National

In Bid To Curb Violence, Chicago Gets Some Ideas From Teens Behind Bars

4:40pm January 31, 2017

by Cheryl Corley

As law enforcement tries to combat the startling number of murders in the city, two young people share what they've learned in a detention center.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez was defeated by Kim Foxx in the Democratic primary on Tuesday. Alvarez had been criticized for the investigation into the shooting of Laquan McDonald by a police officer.

Voters Unseat Prosecutors Criticized For Laquan McDonald And Tamir Rice Probes

7:25pm March 16, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The top prosecutors in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and Cook County, Ill., were voted out in primaries Tuesday. Both have been under fire for their handling of fatal shootings by police.