Acting DCFS Chief On A.J.'s Death: 'Your Sense Of Outrage I Share 100%'
DCFS has placed A.J.'s case worker and supervisor on administrative duties, removed from child care decisions, while an investigation continues.
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DCFS has placed A.J.'s case worker and supervisor on administrative duties, removed from child care decisions, while an investigation continues.
Four months before 5-year-old A.J. Freund was killed, he told a doctor "maybe someone hit me with a belt. Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me" after police found a mysterious bruise on his hip, according to a timeline released by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
One month after an appeals court ordered a new trial for 53-year-old James Gibson in the 1989 murders of two men, based on evidence he was tortured into confessing, prosecutors have dropped charges, but insist he was not wrongfully convicted.
Four months before 5-year-old A.J. Freund's parents allegedly beat him to death, there appear to be significant discrepancies between a police report noting deplorable conditions inside the family's house, and a home visit by a DCFS investigator the next day, which ultimately deemed an allegation of neglect to be unfounded.
A.J. Freund's parents forced the 5-year-old into a cold shower for an extended period of time, and the 5-year-old was repeatedly struck all over his body, leading to his death, McHenry County prosecutors alleged in court Thursday morning.
A 33-year-old reputed gang member has been convicted of murder in the 2012 shooting death of 7-year-old Heaven Sutton, who was killed by a stray bullet while selling snow cones and candy in the North Austin neighborhood.
Detectives in northwest Indiana have released surveillance images of two people wanted in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old man in Gary.
A 7-year-old girl who was gunned down while selling snow cones in Chicago 2012 would have been 14-years-old this year.
Kevin Clewer's family handed out flyers Saturday and encouraged anyone with information to come forward and help solve the crime.
An Indianapolis man has been charged with killing a 35-year-old woman and her 13-year-old son last month in Gary, Indiana.
The bond for a Wheaton man accused of murdering his brother-in-law was set at $3 million Monday, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
A man convicted in the September 2013 murder of a Wheaton woman has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The mayor of Aurora said he was blindsided that Thomas Kokoraleis, a convicted murderer and sex offender, is Aurora's newest resident. He lives at Wayside Cross Ministries, and the mayor is calling it a risk the city shouldn't have to take.
Thomas Kokoraleis went to prison for the 1982 murder of a woman who lived in Elmhurst. Now he's a free man, despite efforts to keep him locked up.
Kokoraleis served more than 36 years behind bars for the murder of Lorry Ann Borowski before he was released from the Illinois River Correctional Center on Friday morning.
Here are five fast facts about Thomas Kokoraleis, who was released from prison Friday after serving more than 36 years in prison for the grisly 1982 murder of Lorraine "Lorry" Ann Borowski.
Hundreds of family, friends, and fellow officers turned out Friday morning for the funeral for slain Officer John Rivera, killed while off-duty last weekend in the River North neighborhood.
The man accused of kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs is expected to plead guilty in Wisconsin Wednesday.
The two men charged with the murder of officer John Rivera both have past criminal records, according to Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson.
Menelik Jackson 24, and Jovan Battle 32, both were charged with one count of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. Jackson also was charged with one count of resisting/obstructing a police officer.
A Villa Park man has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a security guard at River North nightclub Sound Bar on March 8.
Authorities in Wisconsin continue to search for a missing 2-year-old girl from Milwaukee, who might have been kidnapped her father, who also is suspected of killing her mother.
A man charged in the disappearance of a South Chicago Heights mother of six is due in court today. Family reported Jessica Flores missing last month.
The man charged with killing a McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy at a Rockford hotel was scheduled to make his first court appearance Monday.
The man who shot and killed a McHenry County deputy is still in the hospital but is expected in court next week, police say.
The Flames spent the day with a handful of second through eighth-graders from Glenwood Academy and really got into the holiday spirit with a fun shopping spree.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
The firefighter was taken to Stroger Hospital in unknown condition, officials said.
According to police, the 62-year-old victim was beaten and severely injured, resulting in extensive and ongoing hospitalization.
Chi Gives Back held a pop-up at Ledo High School on Sunday for its annual toy drive.
A government shutdown is still possible if Mayor Brandon Johnson decides to veto the spending plan.
The Justice Department released thousands of new photos and records on Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, but at least 550 pages in the documents were fully redacted.
The alternative budget proposal championed by a group of Chicago aldermen won a crucial first full City Council vote on Friday, setting up a final vote on Saturday
A Bulgarian citizen, whom federal officials say was in the U.S. illegally, was found unresponsive in his cell at a Michigan facility.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
A new report shines a light on electricity shortages that Illinois could face in less than 10 years.
With less than two weeks until Christmas, if you're sending gifts to people far from home, the deadlines to get them there on time are fast approaching.
A condo owner in Country Club Hills says he's forced to sell his home after his condo association failed to reimburse him for repairs to his leaking roof. Edward Hadnott's condo has sat empty since a major roof leak in 2022.
The U.S. stopped minting pennies this week, and some groups have issued a warning about the headaches that can create for some businesses and consumers.
Why is one school in the west Chicago suburb of Lisle paying a water bill three times higher than another? The answer has to do with a private utility company.
Millions of people with an Affordable Care Act health plan face a massive jump in premiums next year — this chart shows just how much.
It's the holiday season, which means it's the most common time of year for norovirus to spread. Here's what you need to know about this winter stomach bug.
A study conducted in part by Chicago's Northwestern Medicine found that tanning beds not only triple the risk of melanoma, but can also damage DNA across nearly the whole skin surface.
An investigation into the case of a Michigan man who contracted rabies after an organ transplant provided more details on the infection's origin.
The newest measles vaccination numbers released by Chicago Public Schools shows immunizations are finally moving in the right direction.
The Chicago Bears are expanding their search for a new stadium to Northwest Indiana, even though they already own land in Arlington Heights and have also proposed a new lakefront stadium in Chicago.
A Culver's is coming to Chicago's South Loop, a real estate broker has confirmed.
A new vision for passenger rail is on track in southeastern Wisconsin. The MARK Passenger Rail Commission held its inaugural meeting on December 5, 2025, at Racine City Hall.
U.S. Steel says it'll resume making steel slabs at its Granite City Works plant in Illinois amid strengthening demand.
Traffic at O'Hare International Airport is growing faster than expected, and this has Chicago city leaders wanting to make big changes to future construction plans at the airport.
Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre is hosting "The Phantom of the Opera," and staff offered a firsthand look at the iconic chandelier inside the theater this week.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
The nearly 100-year-old cinema will close briefly after New Year's Day and reopen on Jan. 9 with a showing of Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother."
Known as a popular Hollywood director, Rob Reiner also had a lengthy record of political and civic activism, especially in California.
Players teamed up with 23 kids from Glenwood Academy, who were each given $100 to spend at a local Target.
The attack happened around 5:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16, on the northbound bus in the 700 block of South Cicero Avenue.
Tanja Safforld cut across a gas station lot, taking a shortcut to the store. She never made it across the busy South Side street.
CPD officers around 6 a.m. responded to a residence in the 4000 block of West Addison Street in Irving Park for an armed man who barricaded himself inside a residence.
The Lions' loss to the Steelers on Sunday secured the Bears' playoff spot.
The Bears' next game will be against the 49ers on Dec. 28.
The victory pushes the Bears one step closer to their first postseason appearance since 2020.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
The firefighter was taken to Stroger Hospital in unknown condition, officials said.
According to police, the 62-year-old victim was beaten and severely injured, resulting in extensive and ongoing hospitalization.
Cameras not working, video evidence missed by police and a psychic that leads a hit and run victim's son to a clue that changes the case
Some Chicago area hospitals are at risk of significant flooding both in and around the buildings, according to new KFF Health News/Fathom models.
Lawmakers in Springfield are looking to address the high water bills being reported in some suburbs from customers of Illinois American Water.
Electric bills in the Chicago area could go up as much as $70 in the next three years because of data centers, according to the Citizens Utility Board.
Advocates and legislators are seeking solutions and and accountability for a pattern of Chicago police arresting Black gun owners on firearms charges despite valid FOID and CCL licenses.
The Flames spent the day with a handful of second through eighth-graders from Glenwood Academy and really got into the holiday spirit with a fun shopping spree.
The Bulls had nine scorers in double figures, led by Matas Buzelis with 28 points.
The Bears' next game will be against the 49ers on Dec. 28.
Japanese third baseman Munetaka Murakami is joining the White Sox on a two-year contract worth $34 million, CBS Sports has confirmed.
DJ Moore scored the game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass from QB Caleb Williams.
A man was set to go before a judge on Sunday after he was charged in a deadly shooting in a hotel parking lot on Chicago's Southwest Side several months ago.
A Bulgarian citizen, whom federal officials say was in the U.S. illegally, was found unresponsive in his cell at a Michigan facility.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
Village leaders in Broadview, Illinois, voted down a proposal that would limit the setting up of additional detention centers in the area.
A grand jury this week indicted a man on charges of setting a young woman on fire on a Chicago Transit Authority train last month, and also setting a fire outside City Hall.
