CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— A judge has ordered Davaris Washington held without release in the shooting that left a 1-year-old girl fighting for her life in a Chicago Lawn apartment over the weekend.
Prosecutors laid out a stunning account at Monday’s detention hearing. Just after midnight Saturday, Washington — who was dating the child’s mother — picked up a firearm in one hand and a cordless drill in the other inside the 6400 block of South Mozart Street, prosecutors said. He claimed he only meant to pull the drill’s trigger to see if it was too loud to use while the little girl slept.
Instead, he pulled the trigger on the gun.
The firearm was fitted with an auto-fire “switch,” turning it into a machine gun. One trigger pull unleashed three rounds, and one bullet struck the child in the back of the head as she slept in her car seat. She remains intubated and in critical condition at Comer Children’s Hospital. Doctors could not find a projectile; prosecutors believe the bullet exited near her ear.
Prosecutors told the court Washington handed the gun to a neighbor and first claimed the shot came from outside the apartment. Officers found no window damage — and recovered the weapon and magazines in an upstairs unit.
Washington, 38, is charged with reckless discharge of a firearm, unlawful use of an automatic weapon, reckless conduct causing great bodily harm, and possession of a firearm as a repeat felony offender.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for updates on this case. Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)—The city woke up buzzing Tuesday morning, and it wasn’t coffee — it was Case Keenum.
The 38-year-old backup quarterback rolled back the years Monday night at Soldier Field, leading the Chicago Bears to a 27-7 statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles in a Monday Night Football showdown nobody saw coming.
Keenum, making his first start in nearly three years, was 24 for 34 for 247 yards with two touchdown passes. He capped the night with his first rushing touchdown since 2019, a one-yard plunge with 7:19 left that ended a 13-play, eight-minute drive and sealed the beatdown.
He stepped in for an injured Caleb Williams, beating out Tyson Bagent for the nod — and made every bit of the opportunity count. Chicago’s defense did the rest, shutting down Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense all night. Hurts left the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
A Win the City Needed
In a town where football is religion, last night was revival. The Bears didn’t just win — they dominated a contender, on national television, with a backup most people had written off years ago.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for post-game reaction, injury updates on Caleb Williams, and what this means for the Bears’ season.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
Bears Host Eagles Under Monday Night Lights — With a Quarterback Question Mark
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— The lights are bright at Soldier Field tonight. The Chicago Bears (1-1) host the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (2-0) on Monday Night Football, and the biggest storyline isn’t the opponent — it’s who takes the snaps for Chicago.
Kickoff is set for 7:15 p.m. CT on ESPN and ABC, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call. The Bears opened the season with a 59-37 statement win at Carolina, then fell 9-3 at home to Minnesota in wind and rain. Last Sunday, quarterback Caleb Williams exited late in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury. Backup Tyson Bagent was cleared from concussion protocol Saturday and is available, but there are conflicting reports on whether head coach Ben Johnson will start Bagent or veteran Case Keenum.
The challenge is real: the Eagles arrive 2-0 behind Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. But Chicago cracked the code against Philadelphia last season, winning 24-15 at the Eagles’ place on Black Friday behind a bruising ground game — 286 rushing yards. The oddsmakers favor the visitors: Eagles by 4, over/under 41.5.
Whether it’s Bagent, Keenum, or a surprise, the Bears need that same punishing run game to pull off another Monday night stunner.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for postgame coverage and updates.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— A 37-year-old woman is fighting for her life after a drive-by shooting wounded her and two teenagers Saturday evening on Chicago’s Southwest Side.
The three were standing outside in the 7100 block of South Campbell Avenue in Chicago Lawn about 7 p.m. when two men in a light-colored sedan drove up and opened fire, according to Chicago police.
The woman was shot in the head, hand and wrist and was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in critical condition. A 15-year-old boy was shot in the neck and grazed in the chest; a 17-year-old girl was shot in the knee. Both teens are in good condition at area hospitals.
Police say the shooters fled the scene. No arrests have been made, and Area detectives are investigating.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for updates on this developing story.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)— Chicago just flipped the switch on a new 911 dispatch system, and City Hall is all-in — even though aldermen and the dispatchers answering the calls say the thing isn’t ready.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications began a phased rollout Tuesday of its new computer-aided dispatch system from CentralSquare Technologies, the city’s first major dispatch upgrade in more than 30 years. For now the old system stays live as a backup while officials “ensure Chicago’s public safety infrastructure” during the transition…
Not everyone is comfortable. Fourteen aldermen wrote to Mayor Brandon Johnson last week demanding answers before the system goes live for real. “We support modernization, but it cannot come at the expense of the safety of Chicago residents,” the letter said, citing reports of dropped calls, delayed information, missed callbacks and calls routed to the wrong department.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro, who chairs the Police and Fire Committee, said dispatchers themselves raised the red flags. The mayor’s office fired back that the system passed stress tests — including 3,800 calls in a single hour, 150% of the city’s busiest stretch — and has met its contract response-time requirements.
The price tag: a nearly $75 million deal signed back in 2019. The payoff, officials say, could be response times cut by up to 33 seconds. Dispatchers, who have logged more than 4,600 hours of classroom training, aren’t sold that seconds are worth the risk.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily for updates on this developing story.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)—Chicago’s police accountability system isn’t just slow. According to the city’s own watchdog, it buried the truth.
A July report from the Chicago Office of Inspector General found that the Civilian Office of Police Accountability — the agency charged with investigating police misconduct — closed 654 complaints naming 1,041 officers without following proper investigative rules. The reason was a so-called “Timeliness Initiative” meant to clear a years-long backlog. The OIG’s verdict: COPA created a “vacuum of accountability.” Nearly 90 percent of those buried complaints alleged civil rights violations or excessive force. The average case had already sat for nearly three years.
Inside the department, it is no better. The Bureau of Internal Affairs took in more than 5,300 complaints last year — a record — while nearly a quarter of its positions sat empty. An audit found that of 834 disciplinary cases closed in 2024, fewer than half were finished within the required six months. As an assistant Illinois attorney general told a federal judge: delays mean officers face no consequences at all. Meanwhile the “accountability sergeants” the consent decree requires in every district keep getting pulled back to street duty.
And now the fight has moved to the Illinois Supreme Court, which heard arguments Thursday on whether officers facing serious discipline — including seven accused of using deadly force — can take their cases to private arbitration instead of public hearings. Attorney General Kwame Raoul is urging the court to keep the doors open, warning that secrecy would gut the consent decree. He is right.
Chicago doesn’t have an accountability system. It has a filing system. And every closed door makes it worse.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily as this story develops.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
CHICAGO (CHICAGO URBAN DAILY)—A second suspect has been arrested and charged in the killing of 29-year-old Kyle Bickham, who was pushed from a moving CTA Red Line train earlier this month. Katlar Parchman, 19, was taken into custody this week and charged with first-degree murder and related felonies, NBC Chicago reported, becoming the second person charged after a 15-year-old girl was arrested September 11.
Bickham died September 7 near the 69th Street station after an altercation aboard the train. Police say he was forced off the moving train, fell onto the electrified third rail, and was then struck by another train. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death a homicide.
The Bickham family has no connection to the people accused, and they are now calling for stronger security upgrades across the CTA. “They took greatness, they took happiness from me,” Bickham’s father told the Chicago Sun-Times of his son, who had just secured a new apartment and was heading home from a warehouse job.
CTA crime is down 30 percent in the first half of 2026, but 2025 saw a record 469 violent attacks on the system — the most in more than 25 years. Police have not released a motive, and no third arrest has been announced.
Stay tuned to Chicago Urban Daily as this story develops.
Reported by Chicago Urban Daily News. Visit chicagourbandailynews.com for updates.
Chicago, IL ― (CUDN) Registered voters can cast a ballot before General Election Day which is April 1, 2025. They do not need to give a reason for wanting to vote early. With the help of The Cook County voters guide we will share this hopeful information that voters can share.
Mail Ballot applications for the February 25, 2025 Consolidated Primary Election had been accepted.
Mail Ballot applications for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election had been accepted as of January 1, 2025.
Any registered suburban Cook County voter with a driver’s license, state ID, or social security number on file may request a mail ballot. They can use an online or paper application.
Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day so they can be counted.
Registered suburban Cook County voters can vote in their home precinct on Election Day. To find your Election Day precinct, use your Your Voter Information Tool.
Visually Impaired and Print Disabled Voters
Visually impaired or print disabled voters may request an accessible mail ballot by calling 312.603.0976 or by emailing christine.tucker@cookcountyil.gov.
Encourage engagement: We Invite readers to share their thoughts or experiences in the comments to foster community conversation.
The Chicago Urban Daily News and it’s Editor Amir A.H. Shakur Endorses CleanHouse 2025: As The Start of New Era for Dolton, IL, Mayor Tiffany Heynard faces backlash and calls for her removal due to allegations of political retaliation, misuse of funds, and more. The Clean House Team, led by Jason House, seeks to bring transparency and accountability to the community in the upcoming election-They are The Future of Dolton.
CUDN By Amir AH Shakur(Facebook) –Feb 23, 2025, 9:30 AM CST |Updated 1 hour ago
DOLTON,IL ― (CUDN) Current Dolton, IL Mayor Tiffany Heynard is dubbed as America’s ‘worst mayor’. She has been involved in a tumultuous longterm relationship with the Dolton Community. This run has led many concerned citizens and activists to demand her dismissal. For the record -Henyard holds dual positions of focus in Dolton, IL and as The supervisor of Thornton Township. -The Mayor’s Office seat is up for election finals in two days.
Various Dolton residents, employees, and business owners have alleged that Henyard used her position for “political” retaliation. For those who are unaware, she “allegedly” intimidates perceived political opposition. She also allegedly has used the village police force to harass businesses. To make matters worst -according to witnesses-local homeowner (residents) who had not supported Henyard also faced harassment. Furthermore, Henyard also has earlier allegations of trying to extort campaign contributions from business owners.
She (Henyard) has also been accused of firing multiple village employees for political reasons. Besides mismanagement, there are large levels of public funds which have gone missing or unaccounted for?-Other issues include extravagant trips to Las Vegas and New York City-there are other places too. Some people in the Dolton local community circles consider these trips unreasonable and unnecessary. Henyard faces allegations of cronyism-She reportedly hired boyfriends, relatives, family friends, and loyalists. Most of these individuals were unqualified. Some of the hires should not have been appointed due to background issues, criminal and otherwise.
Many locals in the community believe it’s time for Henyard to “Go.” They think this small village needs a change. This change is necessary for it to have an opportunity to recover.
Why do we want TO Choose Jason House and Clean House 2025?
We are The Chicago Urban Daily News. As a team, we believe that The Clean House 2025 Team is not just another group of desirables. For the record-They do not strive for an office that they can’t manage. They are not striving for an office without community service experience either. For the record- They (The CleanHouse 2025 Team) are driven by long term principles, commitment and deep public service. They are supported by community members and business owners who firmly believe in them. They are guided by conflict resolution and sincerity. The Clean House Team 2025-has shown and proved their commitment to “GET IT RIGHT,” for the people.
They (Team Clean House 2025) have made multiple pleas and requests to call for the current Mayor’s removal. Several court filings on record highlight misgivings at the Township level. They also even highlighted misgivings at the Village of Dolton level. The Clean House Team sounded the alarm long before it was popular to dispute Tiffany Henyard on Social Media Platforms.
Choose Jason House and Clean House 2025 -if you want to start healing and Change in Dolton!
In Our Opinion (Chicago Urban Daily) Historically, this mayor has not brought any resolution during her term in office. She has not provided atonement for “Bad Behavior,” and long-term corruption. Her efforts are limited to making “offtone” Short videos. These videos clearly show bias in favor toward her own (Henyards) point of view. She acts as if the community would be fooled by the super “clumsy” presentations. It seems she believes they will take those “low level” productions as “Gospel” truth and side with her. For us, whether she tries to “Rap” about it or dance over it, Henyard has had enough chances. Even if she sings off key, Henyard has had enough chances.
Photo: Tiffany Henyard for Dolton
She (Henyard,pictures left) could have influenced positive change in Dolton-a long time ago. She has had many opportunities to address the community issues-some she inherited but most she influenced. These problems include police misconduct, police brutality, allegations of business and financial fraud ect. Most believe She (Henyard) should have resolved the core issues-long before now. In anycase, -The community strives for leadership that she (Henyard) clearly is incapable of giving.
financial transparency and Fiscal accountability is IMPORTANT for The CleanHouse 2025 Team
I (Amir A.H. Sahkur) am the Editor at large for Chicago Urban Daily News. For the record- I have asked one specific question in conversations with Future Trustee Edward Steave. I have also asked this same question on a separate occasion with Trustee Brittany Norwood. Both advised me with the same conclusion. That a chief “CeanHouse2025” goal is financial transparency and fiscal accountability. This goal is a priority for the Clean House 2025 team. Again-It is first among the duties exhibited by this team overall.
Photo: Facebook page: CleanHouse2025
As far as Trustee Kiana Belcher- (pictured right-“sliver”, dress) who has a passion for the residents of the Dolton community. As a resident of 20 years, she (Belcher) has grown to love and adore her village. I (Amir A.H. Shakur have personally observed in countless videos for at least a year. That Trustee Belcher showed a “relentless” demand for information. She aimed to tackle financial mishandling by Mayor Henyard in every way. Belchers effort on many occasions had led to ‘fervent verbal’ altercations with Henyard and her loyalist. Belcher’s behavior shows that The Clean House is the “people’s choice”. The team includes Trustee Tammy Brown-it also includes Clerk Alison Keys and obviously Jason House for Mayor. (These members were not mentioned earlier.)
They (Team House 2025) are the “much needed” team in Dolton. The people must understand move fast and act suitably -We hope they do!
OfficiAl Statement From Chicago Urban Daily News and OUR Editor
The Chicago Urban Daily News, and it’s Editor Amir A.H. Shakur as well as our partner civic groups believe that with “Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.” Our Outlet is growing but in any case-We have folks who demand change. They demand not to accept anything less than the our best as a community. Our growing list of partner organizations includes the Newly Formed Thornton Township Citizens Action Committee. It also includes The Save Chicago Alliance.
It would be irresponsible for my team and me (Amir A.H. Shakur) not to use our growing platform-As we definitely aim to influence change in The Dolton Election in a positive direction. I am a former political strategist for the Democratic Party (Hillary Clinton). I am also a social justice activist, entrepreneur, and Former Journalist for Huffington Post. I am invested in the Thornton TownShip community. I attended South Suburban College in South Holland, IL. It was the standout community college when Supervisor Frank Zucurrelli was the Chair. My roots are in Thornton township and surrounding communities, including Dolton, going back over 25 years. I also have family in Civic Office in Thornton Township. I care about its future.
Amir A.H. Shakur Editor for CUDN
-The residents of Dolton and Thornton Township must -Be the “Change” that they want to See! The residents have two days to go to the polls. They can make a difference with the election 2025. -We at The Chicago Urban Daily News-would hope it would be to choose Clean House 2025 on February 25, 2025. (aahs).
Jerry Butler Jr. was a renowned American soul singer-songwriter-is He was the original lead of the Impressions. He was celebrated for hits like “He Will Break Your Heart.” He later served as a Cook County Commissioner. Butler, who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement’s soundtrack, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of music and family.
CUDN By Amir AH Shakur(Facebook) –Feb 20, 2025, 9:00 PM CST |Updated 1 hour ago
Today Legendary Chicago Soulman Jerry “Iceman” Butler has passed away-leaving behind a outstanding
Chicago, IL(CUDN) Butler Jr. was an “Legendary” American soul singer-songwriter, producer, musician and politician from Chicago. He was the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group the Impressions. This group included The Legendary Curtis Mayfield. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
According to biographical materials, he learned how to write songs by reading Hit Parade magazine. It “printed out the sheet music of the hits performed on the show,” he wrote. “It helped us learn how not only to sight read but how to structure songs.”
Butler’s solo career had a string of hits, including the Top 10 successes “He Will Break Your Heart”, “Find Another Girl”, “I’m A-Telling You” (all written by fellow Impression Curtis Mayfield and featuring Mayfield as harmony vocal), the million selling “Only the Strong Survive”, “Moon River”, “Need To Belong” ( …
The Impressions explored the sounds of the Fifties and Sixties. They addressed both old and new social attitudes,” according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. “Their music was the sound of the Civil Rights Movement.”
After “For Your Precious Love,” Mr. Butler decided to go solo. But soon he found “My career wasn’t going anywhere,” he said in his book. He and Mayfield reunited to craft Mr. Butler’s 1960 Vee-Jay hit, “He Will Break Your Heart.”
After supporting Harold Washington’s mayoral campaign, Butler won the election for Cook County Commissioner in 1985. He held this position for multiple years.
I personally met Mr. Butler. As an independent Chicago Producer, I recorded a cover of “For your Precious Love.” He was a gracious and thoughtful man! I was so amazed by his humbleness. -Amir AH Shakur, Editor Chicago Urban Daily.
ResT IN PEACE Jerry BUtler 1939-2025
Mr. Butler’s wife Annette Butler, who also was a singer, died in 2019. Survivors include their sons Anthony and Randy, four grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Funeral arrangements are pending. (aahs)
