The Latest Breaking News from Cook County

African Americans are the only racial or ethnic group in Cook County whose suicide rates are now higher than they were at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Francisco Benitez, 53, was 18 years old when he was arrested and later convicted in the 1989 fatal shootings of two teens. He has long maintained his innocence.

Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee plan to blame violent crime in Chicago on Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx at a Tuesday forum at the city’s Fraternal Order of Police office.

Despite glitches in other courthouses, the first week of bail reform in Cook County went relatively smoothly. But hearings were slower than usual, marked by extensive arguments from prosecutors and defense attorneys as they tested guidelines under the Pretrial Fairness Act.

“I’ve been in this job for 13 years, and this is the first time that I’ve had someone who’s been willing to work with me” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, referring to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

LaVelle Harper, 21, was shot about 3:15 p.m. Thursday in the 7800 block of South South Shore Drive, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

The county was already helping rent the former hotels in Evanston and Oak Park. The plan won approval from the full board, though some commissioners wanted low-income south suburbs prioritized.

Cook County Judge William Gamboney handed down the sentence Thursday against Lionel Parks.