Good afternoon, Chicago.
As the head of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, Andrea Kersten often faced harsh criticism in the wake of high-profile police shootings and other misconduct allegations. Now, as she steps away from her role as leader of the agency, she says COPA is primed to effectively continue its oversight and investigatory work.
She said that leaving COPA was “on (her) mind and heart for quite some time,” and she knew 2025 would be her last year with the agency.
“The politics and the noise around my work in particular certainly set in motion a timeline by which I needed to make a decision,” she said.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Robert Crimo III pleads guilty to Highland Park parade shooting just before trial starts
Robert Crimo III unexpectedly pleaded guilty Monday to all charges in the July 4, 2022, Highland Park parade shooting that killed seven people. Crimo’s trial was set to begin Monday in Lake County Court. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Judge grants retrial on bribery counts in ‘ComEd Four’ case involving Madigan
- ‘Fox & Friends’ co-host sworn in as auxiliary Merrillville police officer
Activist investor gets tough on Portillo’s
Chicago’s hometown hot dog giant Portillo’s is in the midst of an ambitious national expansion, and now a proxy fight may be brewing in its boardroom. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- CTA plans to run buses every 10 minutes on key routes under new plan
- Gated house on Lake Michigan in Winnetka on the market for $10.3M
Cactus League report: Chicago Cubs opening day roster deadline nears, and the White Sox got an offensive boost
The Cubs and Sox meet for the second time this spring on Friday, this time at Camelback Ranch. The Cubs won the first meeting 7-3 on Feb. 22 at Sloan Park. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- Column: President Donald Trump inserts himself into the Pete Rose saga — ripping baseball as ‘dying’
- Notre Dame ended the regular season with a meltdown. Are they still March Madness favorites?
Column: 7 thoughts on the Oscars, including the how and why of ‘Anora’
Expectations have been officially inflated regarding the film “Anora” that won for best picture, best director, best actress (Mikey Madison), best original screenplay and best editing. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Alvin Ailey returns to the Auditorium as the company enters a new era and a dancer says farewell
- Photos: 2025 Polar Plunge Chicago
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says end of war with Russia is ‘very, very far away’
A deal to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “is still very, very far away,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, adding that he expects to keep receiving American support despite his recent fraught relations with President Donald Trump. Read more here.
More top stories from around the world:
