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Daniel C. Ruffin, a 41-year-old Peoria High School varsity boys basketball coach, faces new charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, indecent solicitation of a child, and grooming from a second student who reported misconduct starting when she was 17, now 18. This follows earlier February 2026 charges of indecent solicitation and grooming tied to inappropriate sexual text messages with a 16-year-old student, after which he was arrested, released on conditions, and placed on unpaid administrative leave with coaching duties removed. Many alleged acts with the second victim occurred in his school office, and the investigation by Peoria Police continues, with…

Dennis Williams, a 33- or 34-year-old Chicago man, was sentenced on February 4, 2026, to 28 years in federal prison after a jury convicted him in March 2025 on five counts of sex trafficking and two counts of kidnapping. He violently trafficked five young victims—including a 15-year-old girl—using threats, violence, drugs, and restraints out of his Chicago home and motels in south suburban Lansing in 2022 and 2023; he also kidnapped two victims, one by luring them into his truck and another by holding her overnight before she escaped. U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland imposed the sentence, highlighting efforts to…

CHICAGO — Iconic costumes from the “Wicked” movie and Broadway hits will soon wow visitors at a Chicago museum. The “Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell” exhibit opens January 19 at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Award-winning designer Paul Tazewell shares his magic. See Glinda’s pink bubble dress and Elphaba’s Emerald City gown from “Wicked.” Featured Costumes Videos, photos, sketches, and narration reveal design secrets. Included with general museum admission. Perfect for theater fans and fashion lovers.

CHICAGO — A 26-year-old man sits in critical condition after a shooting in Rogers Park early Sunday. Gunfire hit him in the throat around 5:50 a.m. on the 700 block of West Albion Avenue. Police say shots came from an unknown spot while he stood outside. Paramedics raced him to a hospital. Doctors list his injuries as life-threatening. Investigation Underway No suspects in custody yet. Area Three detectives chase leads on the shooter. The case links to a blood trail found nearby, pointing to a possible nearby fight. This early-morning attack shocks the quiet neighborhood. Police urge tips from witnesses.…

CHICAGO — A 34-year-old man suffered serious chest wounds in a stabbing on a CTA Red Line train early Sunday. The attack happened around 2:51 a.m. near the 69th Street stop. Police say the victim argued with another man. The suspect pulled a sharp object and stabbed him in the chest. The attacker fled the train right after. Incident Details Medics rushed the man to a nearby hospital. Doctors list him in serious condition. No arrest yet, and no suspect description released. Chicago police investigate the fight. Verbal arguments on trains sometimes turn violent fast. Riders should stay alert and…

Chicagoans cheer the Bears’ playoff win under clear skies. Sunday starts with light flurries and clouds early morning. Expect plenty of sunshine by afternoon. Temps hit seasonal norms in the low-to-mid 30s. Overnight lows stay mild in the mid-to-upper 20s. Extended Forecast Monday brings more sun and warmth, highs near 40s. Tuesday climbs to upper 40s or low 50s, but rain chances start. Wednesday sees mixed rain or snow, temps in low-to-mid 30s. Thursday dries out briefly. Friday-Saturday eyes light snow, 1-2 inches possible, with wintry highs in mid-to-upper 20s. Dress for variable cold—layers work best this week.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — A young driver lost his life in a dramatic early-morning crash. His car went airborne, smashed through a sound barrier, and landed on Interstate 55. Police identified him as 20-year-old Johnathan Wenzel. The wreck happened around 4:30 a.m. on Route 126 near mile marker 260. Wenzel sped in a red Ford Fusion on a frontage road. He hit a curve, flew through the air, and broke the wall. Firefighters cut him from the wreckage, but he died at the scene. Records show he lived just a quarter-mile away. Chain Reaction Crash A black Ford SUV then slammed…

ROBBINS, Ill. — A 63-year-old man died after a vehicle struck him in a crosswalk Friday afternoon. He used a mobility scooter at the time. The crash happened around 12:31 p.m. at 139th Street and Kedzie Avenue. Cook County Sheriff’s detectives say a northbound car hit Sammy Simmons of Robbins. He crossed legally in the marked area. Crash Details The scooter rider suffered fatal injuries. Medics pronounced him dead after arrival. No word on the driver’s condition or if charges filed. Sheriff’s office leads the probe with Robbins police help. Investigation Continues No vehicle description released yet. Detectives reconstruct the…

PLAINFIELD, Ill. — A driver lost his life in a south suburb car wreck Friday morning. Fire crews rushed to the scene near County Line Road and Route 126 just before 7:45 a.m. The vehicle veered off the road and crashed into woods. It suffered major damage. The lone driver inside died at the spot. No name released yet. Crash Response Plainfield Fire Protection District handled the call. They confirmed heavy wreck damage. Illinois State Police now probe what caused the crash. Roads closed briefly for cleanup. Investigation Ahead Cops check speed, weather, or road issues. No other cars involved.…

TINLEY PARK, Ill. — An 18-year-old college student faces serious charges for an alleged sexual assault at a south suburb concert venue last summer. Roman Basso, from Frankfort, was arrested Tuesday after a months-long probe.​ The attack happened July 22 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre during a Wiz Khalifa and Sean Paul show. Ohio hospital staff tipped off Tinley Park police on July 24. Detectives gathered video from Live Nation, witness accounts, and a forensic victim interview.​ Investigation and Arrest Ohio’s Indian Hill Police aided with evidence collection. Cops learned Basso attended Arizona State University. ASU police helped track him…