Man who spent 33 years in prison for murder he didn't commit sues CPD, prosecutors
Lee Harris said he lost 33 years he can't get back, but through his lawsuit he can make sure someone else doesn't lose that kind of time.
Watch CBS News
Lee Harris said he lost 33 years he can't get back, but through his lawsuit he can make sure someone else doesn't lose that kind of time.
Cook County prosecutors on Tuesday dropped murder charges against Francisco Benitez, who spent 34 years behind bars before a judge exonerated him last month. Benitez, 52, was released from Cook County Jail last month, after a judge tossed his murder conviction.
Cook County prosecutors on Tuesday dropped murder charges against Francisco Benitez, who spent 34 years behind bars before a judge exonerated him last month. Benitez, 52, was released from Cook County Jail last month, after a judge tossed his murder conviction.
Francisco Benitez, 52, claimed Chicago police framed him. In August, his murder conviction was tossed out by a judge.
FEMA said so far, it has given out more than $150 million in assistance to 42,000 households and more than $32 million in small business disaster loans.
The spike is just one of the reasons the feds are now making free COVID tests available again.
Dr. Michael Hoffman is the Lead Physician with Cook County Health COVID-19 Units. He discusses the COVID cases on the rise in the Chicago area.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is reminding Cook County residents affected by summer storms that a deadline to get help is fast approaching.
The chefs had one hour to create their entrée and cooked it outside near the jail.
The four-year-old was shot getting his hair braided inside a Woodlawn home in September of 2021.
Monarch numbers have been declining for decades and could end up on the endangered species list, which caught the eye of the county sheriff.
"I always knew he was innocent. I just never believed it would take this long."
Dozens of neighbors are out thousands after 9 inches of torrential rain poured down this summer.
Nearly two months after torrential rain tore through Cook County, damaging several homes, disaster relief centers have opened to help flood victims. FEMA is staffing four of them around the county. CBS 2's Marissa Perlman spoke to families still picking up the pieces.
"There's been times that it's been real close. One of which, I think you're all aware of, was covered by CBS 2 News."
CBS 2's Sabrina Franza reports families of the CPD officer and the person charged with his murder were both in the courtroom.
In a matter of a seconds, the subject of our story dropped everything, grabbed some Narcan he had in his trunk - and began to save a life. An out-of-state pharmaceutical company saw the story. CBS 2's Chris Tye reports.
Two thousand doses of a treatment that can revive people overdosing on opioids, are being donated to people who need it most. CBS 2's Asal Rezaei has more on what inspired this gift.
You could get up to 26 weeks of benefits if you're eligible.
Last week, President Biden declared the flooding a disaster, so federal money is now available.
The funds are available to dry cleaners, auto body shops, metal finishers, and food and beverage manufacturers.
It's part of the BRITE program - which stands for Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday announced the funding for the Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment, or BRITE, program.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Thursday announced the funding for the Businesses Reducing Impact on the Environment, or BRITE, program.
President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration in Cook County in the wake of historic storms that caused significant flooding in late June and early July. The move allows for federal funding to help with storm recovery efforts, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help homeowners and businesses recover from the flooding.
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramps up immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has said National Guard troops could also be coming soon.
The Bookmark Project donates books to hospitals, therapy centers, and other settings where young people might benefit from such an uplift.
A Wisconsin legislator has left the state Assembly's Democratic caucus after being accused by fellow party members of threatening to kill three lawmakers.
Police said the 73-year-old woman was found unresponsive at the scene of the fire in the 11000 block of South Avenue N.
A Michigan judge has dismissed the criminal cases against 15 people accused of acting falsely as electors for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramps up immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has said National Guard troops could also be coming soon.
A Wisconsin legislator has left the state Assembly's Democratic caucus after being accused by fellow party members of threatening to kill three lawmakers.
A Michigan judge has dismissed the criminal cases against 15 people accused of acting falsely as electors for President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
The governor's meeting comes as federal officials announce that "Operation Midway Blitz" is in full effect.
The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced plans for ramped-up immigration enforcement in Chicago this week, in an effort dubbed Operation Midway Blitz.
Some municipalities have decided to keep the tax in place at the municipal level, on the grounds that they need the revenue.
Some local gas stations as of Tuesday afternoon were posting prices of $4 per gallon for regular unleaded, and more than $5 for premium.
Many drivers are as frustrated with the unexplained spike in their auto insurance as they are with congestion on the roads.
The Arlington Heights Village Board on Monday night approved a new 5% streaming tax.
Morton Grove slapped the seller with code violations after the sale to the Hovey family was completed, which prevented them from getting a deed.
Four physicians, who recently resigned from the CDC in protest, tell "Sunday Morning" they believe HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is jeopardizing the nation's public health.
The Chicago Breast Cancer Research Consortium is a first-of-its-kind collaboration, uniting all three nationally recognized hospitals to work on research together.
Health experts said they are concerned that the new guidelines set this week by the FDA will create extra steps and potential obstacles to get the shot.
Illinois is one of 20 states now suing the Trump administration for withholding grant money for crime victims. In Illinois, $54 million goes to provide services for crime victims. Workers warn many will now be left behind.
A Chicago rock climber was grounded by a scary medical issue — a cyst in her brain. But a friendly face in the operating room helped Sophie Lin get to the gym again.
The other two American Science & Surplus stores, in the west Chicago suburb of Geneva and in Milwaukee, may stay open as employee-owned and operated businesses.
The private equity firm Sycamore Partners has completed its acquisition of Walgreens, ending the drugstore chain's run as a publicly traded company.
Accessories retailer Claire's just revealed a list of hundreds of stores it will close as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
A company that installs license plate-detecting cameras to aid law enforcement has halted operations with federal agencies because of ongoing concerns among officials in Illinois and elsewhere.
A Wisconsin man has pleaded guilty to smuggling lab equipment to Russian companies in violation of U.S. sanctions.
At the first showing of "Ashland Avenue," every audience member got a commemorative gift — and one person got a "Golden Ticket," or two free season passes.
Rick Davies, lead singer and co-founder of Supertramp, has died of cancer at 81. The British band says he left "an indelible mark on rock music history."
Want to watch the 2025 VMAs live tonight? Here's how to catch the red carpet interviews and star-studded performances.
The choir has been making Chicago proud with their run on "America's Got Talent," and this week, voters advanced them to the semifinals.
The sold-out show kicked off at 7:30 p.m. Chicago is one of only three U.S. cities on the band's world tour.
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramps up immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has said National Guard troops could also be coming soon.
The newly opened Matilda and Clandestino in River North is giving a tour in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The House Oversight Committee released thousands of pages from the Epstein Files, including Jeffrey Epstein's "Birthday Book" which includes a letter that appears to be signed by Pres. Donald Trump, which he has called "a fake thing."
Relations between South Korea and the United States are on thin ice after more than 300 South Korean workers were detained in a a massive immigration raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant, touted as the state's largest economic development project. Lee said the rights of South Korean nationals and economic activities of South Korean companies must not be unfairly infringed upon during U.S. law enforcement procedures.
The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for federal agents to conduct sweeping immigration operations for now in Los Angeles.
The governor's meeting comes as federal officials announce that "Operation Midway Blitz" is in full effect.
At least five drivers reported flat fires on the Edens Expressway on Tuesday morning.
As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramps up immigration enforcement, the Trump administration has said National Guard troops could also be coming soon.
The Bookmark Project donates books to hospitals, therapy centers, and other settings where young people might benefit from such an uplift.
Chicago police said one woman was taken to St. Bernard Hospital for smoke inhalation.
The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced plans for ramped-up immigration enforcement in Chicago this week, in an effort dubbed Operation Midway Blitz.
To combat crime in the South Loop, the Cook County Sheriff's Office opened up a substation at Roosevelt and State. However, many were unsure if it had actually opened.
The man accused in the attacks has a long record of being arrested, prosecuted, and then quickly being set free to attack again.
With an enforcement blitz by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement anticipated in the coming days, more people could be in immigration custody are in need of legal help.
This Labor Day weekend was much more violent than those of recent years — driven in part by mass shootings.
The Cubs, who lead the NL wild-card race, lost for the fourth time in five games.
In their clearest signal yet that they plan to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, the Bears sent season ticket holders a letter saying they hope to break ground soon so they can bid to host a Super Bowl as early as 2031.
J.J. McCarthy threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and ran for another in his long-awaited NFL debut, and the Minnesota Vikings rallied for a season-opening 27-24 win over the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
The team announced Friday that Angel Reese was suspended for the first half of Sunday's game for making comments "detrimental to the team." It was announced at halftime that she would not play in the second half due to a back injury.
Lenyn Sosa homered and drove in three runs as the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Sunday afternoon.
The attack happened at 9:15 p.m. in the 9500 block of South Halsted Street.
The governor's meeting comes as federal officials announce that "Operation Midway Blitz" is in full effect.
The Department of Homeland Security on Monday announced plans for ramped-up immigration enforcement in Chicago this week, in an effort dubbed Operation Midway Blitz.
The woman accused of firing the gun was taken into custody, police said.
The SWAT team was able to locate the man and arrest him without incident, police said.
