Chip Mitchell
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
WBEZ Chicago reporter on public safety and health.
https://www.wbez.org/author/chip-mitchell
Mobile/Signal: 312-286-9986.
https://www.wbez.org/author/chip-mitchell
Mobile/Signal: 312-286-9986.
#Chicago had its fewest June-August murders since 1965. Overall violent crime is lower than any year in more than four decades. But candidates trying to replace @ChicagosMayor keep stoking public anxiety about a public safety "crisis." @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Mayoral candidates decry Chicago violence ‘crisis,’ even as summer murders hit 61-year low
Chicago had 122 murders in June, July and August, the lowest summer total since 1965, according to city and police data. But in their mayoral quests, candidates keep stoking public anxiety about viole...
www.wbez.org
September 2, 2026 at 2:13 PM
#Chicago had its fewest June-August murders since 1965. Overall violent crime is lower than any year in more than four decades. But candidates trying to replace @ChicagosMayor keep stoking public anxiety about a public safety "crisis." @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
This @bethreinhard.bsky.social report on the #Michigan GOP nominee for U.S. Senate is interesting but the headline, deck and captions avoid naming Rogers an election denier. He is merely “skeptical” of election results and wants “scrutiny” of “irregularities.” www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/u...
Michigan Senate Candidate, a Former Trump Critic, Shifts Toward Election Skepticism
Mike Rogers, the Republican nominee, has suggested that further scrutiny of the 2020 election was warranted and that voting irregularities sank his first Senate bid two years ago.
www.nytimes.com
August 10, 2026 at 2:14 PM
This @bethreinhard.bsky.social report on the #Michigan GOP nominee for U.S. Senate is interesting but the headline, deck and captions avoid naming Rogers an election denier. He is merely “skeptical” of election results and wants “scrutiny” of “irregularities.” www.nytimes.com/2026/08/09/u...
FEWEST JULY MURDERS SINCE 1963
#Chicago tallied 37 #murders in July. A @wbez.org analysis of police data finds there has been no July with fewer murders since 1963. Looking at all of 2026, murders are up 2% from 2025, a year that ended with the lowest Chicago murder count in six decades.
#Chicago tallied 37 #murders in July. A @wbez.org analysis of police data finds there has been no July with fewer murders since 1963. Looking at all of 2026, murders are up 2% from 2025, a year that ended with the lowest Chicago murder count in six decades.
August 3, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Over the last three years there have been more than 70 fires at an Illinois prison, including 12 cases of self-immolation. One man needed a skin graft. Another lost a leg.
Two have died. A new investigation below.
www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
Two have died. A new investigation below.
www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
A Prison on Fire
Designed to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.
www.themarshallproject.org
July 24, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Over the last three years there have been more than 70 fires at an Illinois prison, including 12 cases of self-immolation. One man needed a skin graft. Another lost a leg.
Two have died. A new investigation below.
www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
Two have died. A new investigation below.
www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
“I was confused the whole time because I’m not dangerous if I plead guilty, but I’m dangerous because I maintain my innocence.”
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free, or keep fighting to clear his name.
I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free or keep fighting to clear his name
A deal offered by prosecutors would have required Kelly to admit guilt following a murder trial tainted by a corrupt detective and ineffective counsel. Our reporter met Kelly inside the Cook County Ja...
www.wbez.org
July 31, 2026 at 2:50 PM
“I was confused the whole time because I’m not dangerous if I plead guilty, but I’m dangerous because I maintain my innocence.”
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free, or keep fighting to clear his name.
I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free or keep fighting to clear his name
A deal offered by prosecutors would have required Kelly to admit guilt following a murder trial tainted by a corrupt detective and ineffective counsel. Our reporter met Kelly inside the Cook County Ja...
www.wbez.org
July 31, 2026 at 2:29 PM
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free, or keep fighting to clear his name.
I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Wherefore we, of all who walk the earth?
July 17, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Wherefore we, of all who walk the earth?
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
I’m quoted in this article on an important bill to improve Illinois’s system for compensating the wrongfully convicted.
A bill awaiting @govpritzker.illinois.gov's signature could boost #Illinois payments to wrongfully incarcerated people and, for the first time, make children eligible for the compensation, @wbez.org reports. #twill
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Bill on Pritzker’s desk would boost state payments to the wrongfully convicted
The legislation would hike the maximum payout to $50,000 for each year spent behind bars and $25,000 per year on probation or parole, or under an order to register as a sex offender. “This will make a...
www.wbez.org
June 30, 2026 at 2:00 PM
I’m quoted in this article on an important bill to improve Illinois’s system for compensating the wrongfully convicted.
A bill awaiting @govpritzker.illinois.gov's signature could boost #Illinois payments to wrongfully incarcerated people and, for the first time, make children eligible for the compensation, @wbez.org reports. #twill
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Bill on Pritzker’s desk would boost state payments to the wrongfully convicted
The legislation would hike the maximum payout to $50,000 for each year spent behind bars and $25,000 per year on probation or parole, or under an order to register as a sex offender. “This will make a...
www.wbez.org
June 30, 2026 at 1:20 PM
A bill awaiting @govpritzker.illinois.gov's signature could boost #Illinois payments to wrongfully incarcerated people and, for the first time, make children eligible for the compensation, @wbez.org reports. #twill
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
#CPD data show #Chicago in May had 36 #murders, @wbez.org reports. If the figure holds, it’ll be two fewer than May 2025 (38) and the lowest May total since 2007 (34). Year to date, murders are up slightly (5.7%) from 2025. That year ended with the city’s lowest murder count in six decades.
June 1, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Brown University’s Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve argues that false confessions stem from something more pernicious than shoddy law enforcement.
New book finds entrenched Chicago police racism behind Cook County’s wrongful convictions
www.wbez.org
May 12, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Brown University’s Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve argues that false confessions stem from something more pernicious than shoddy law enforcement.
In a new book about Cook County (America's wrongful-conviction capital), Brown University’s @nvancleve argues that false confessions stem from something more pernicious than shoddy law enforcement. #Chicago #CPD
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
May 12, 2026 at 3:58 PM
In a new book about Cook County (America's wrongful-conviction capital), Brown University’s @nvancleve argues that false confessions stem from something more pernicious than shoddy law enforcement. #Chicago #CPD
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
A man who says #Chicago #police beat him into confessing to the 1992 murder of a 7-year-old boy is a step closer to learning whether he’ll get a new trial. His fate hinges on the lead detective’s alleged ties to #torture at the U.S. detention camp in #Cuba.
@wbez.org
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
@wbez.org
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Man’s bid for a retrial in boy’s murder hinges on ex-Chicago cop’s alleged ties to Gitmo torture
A Cook County judge heard closing arguments Monday over a petition from Anthony Garrett, convicted of fatally shooting 7-year-old Dantrell Davis in 1992. Garrett's attorneys said former Detective Rich...
www.wbez.org
May 12, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Chip Mitchell
Make sure to click listen to hear this moving storytelling from @wbez.org’s @chipmitchell1.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
When immigration agents arrested a Chicago mother, a stranger stepped in to care for her 3 kids
The three siblings had fended for themselves for nearly four weeks on the Southwest Side. Isabel Conde, 27, couldn’t find adults in their lives to take them in. So she did it herself.
chicago.suntimes.com
May 3, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Make sure to click listen to hear this moving storytelling from @wbez.org’s @chipmitchell1.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
Read or tap the red "Listen" button on top to hear the story in the format (audio) for which it was conceived.
Thanks @pksmid.bsky.social!
Thanks @pksmid.bsky.social!
Please take the time to read this from @chipmitchell1.bsky.social -- a powerful tale and incredible storytelling.
May 1, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Read or tap the red "Listen" button on top to hear the story in the format (audio) for which it was conceived.
Thanks @pksmid.bsky.social!
Thanks @pksmid.bsky.social!
As #Trump threatens strikes on civilian targets in #Iran, the November video from Democratic veterans urging military members to disobey illegal orders becomes newly relevant. www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/l...
Live updates: Trump warns Iran that Hormuz deadline is final
Follow live coverage of the Iran war, the global energy crisis, Trump's threats and ceasefire talks.
www.nbcnews.com
April 6, 2026 at 5:26 PM
As #Trump threatens strikes on civilian targets in #Iran, the November video from Democratic veterans urging military members to disobey illegal orders becomes newly relevant. www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/l...
A reporter who exposed inner workings of rightist #Catholic cult #OpusDei lauds #PopeLeo for inviting him to meet: “The #Vatican helped create this monster, not least Pope John Paul II, [who] saw them almost like his personal green berets.” @garethgore.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
He spent years investigating Opus Dei, a Catholic group accused of a vast conspiracy of abuse. Then Pope Leo asked to meet
Gareth Gore’s 2024 book Opus alleges decades of manipulation, which the group has denied. He believes the pope wanted to send a clear message
www.theguardian.com
April 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
A reporter who exposed inner workings of rightist #Catholic cult #OpusDei lauds #PopeLeo for inviting him to meet: “The #Vatican helped create this monster, not least Pope John Paul II, [who] saw them almost like his personal green berets.” @garethgore.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
It takes integrity, grit and stamina to report stories like this. #Chicago is lucky to have @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
Longtime CHA board member Debra Parker drops lawsuit days after @wbez.org and @chicago.suntimes.com obtained internal report detailing accusations vs Parker chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
CHA Commissioner Debra Parker drops lawsuit against the housing authority, ending fight to keep voucher
Parker said she is “moving out” of the South Side unit she rents with the housing voucher so the CHA could provide that benefit to “somebody else who may need it more than me.” She has been accused of...
chicago.suntimes.com
March 31, 2026 at 3:50 PM
It takes integrity, grit and stamina to report stories like this. #Chicago is lucky to have @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
ICYMI, #Northwestern study claims to support #trans youth but, two years in, the researchers have yet to recruit many parents who support their child’s identity. The lead researcher has touted theory that trans women are feminine gay men & sex fetishists. @vimiller.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
A Northwestern study claims to support trans youths' well-being, but some disagree
The study, led by psychology professor J. Michael Bailey, could fuel more legislation to push trans people to the margins, trans advocates say.
chicago.suntimes.com
March 31, 2026 at 2:42 PM
ICYMI, #Northwestern study claims to support #trans youth but, two years in, the researchers have yet to recruit many parents who support their child’s identity. The lead researcher has touted theory that trans women are feminine gay men & sex fetishists. @vimiller.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
Since our story Friday, shady "super PACs" have reported spending millions more in four Chicago-area Democratic primaries for U.S. House. Topped by pro-Israel, crypto and AI interests, the spending now exceeds $33.9 million.
@wbez.org @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/government-p...
@wbez.org @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/government-p...
Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area and, according to one government watchdog, distorting democracy.
www.wbez.org
March 16, 2026 at 1:38 PM
Since our story Friday, shady "super PACs" have reported spending millions more in four Chicago-area Democratic primaries for U.S. House. Topped by pro-Israel, crypto and AI interests, the spending now exceeds $33.9 million.
@wbez.org @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/government-p...
@wbez.org @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/government-p...
1/4
A few notes about our finding that “super PACs” — topped by pro-Israel, cryptocurrency and artificial-intelligence interests — have spent more than $31.4 million to influence voters ahead of primaries Tuesday in four Chicago-area U.S. House races.
www.wbez.org/government-p...
A few notes about our finding that “super PACs” — topped by pro-Israel, cryptocurrency and artificial-intelligence interests — have spent more than $31.4 million to influence voters ahead of primaries Tuesday in four Chicago-area U.S. House races.
www.wbez.org/government-p...
Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area and, according to one government watchdog, distorting democracy.
www.wbez.org
March 13, 2026 at 6:43 PM
1/4
A few notes about our finding that “super PACs” — topped by pro-Israel, cryptocurrency and artificial-intelligence interests — have spent more than $31.4 million to influence voters ahead of primaries Tuesday in four Chicago-area U.S. House races.
www.wbez.org/government-p...
A few notes about our finding that “super PACs” — topped by pro-Israel, cryptocurrency and artificial-intelligence interests — have spent more than $31.4 million to influence voters ahead of primaries Tuesday in four Chicago-area U.S. House races.
www.wbez.org/government-p...
Topped by pro-#Israel, #crypto and #AI interests, national groups spend >$31.4 million to sway #Chicago-area voters ahead of #Democratic primaries Tuesday in four U.S. House races.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @mawaiq98.bsky.social @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social #twill
www.wbez.org/government-p...
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @mawaiq98.bsky.social @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social #twill
www.wbez.org/government-p...
Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area and, according to one government watchdog, distorting democracy.
www.wbez.org
March 13, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Topped by pro-#Israel, #crypto and #AI interests, national groups spend >$31.4 million to sway #Chicago-area voters ahead of #Democratic primaries Tuesday in four U.S. House races.
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @mawaiq98.bsky.social @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social #twill
www.wbez.org/government-p...
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @mawaiq98.bsky.social @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social #twill
www.wbez.org/government-p...
You may have heard about #AIPAC trying to influence four #Chicago-area congressional races. But you need to see the scale and effects. This @wbez.org / @chicago.suntimes.com investigation is revealing.
#Israel #Gaza @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
#Israel #Gaza @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Pro-Israel group’s donors and affiliates pour $13.7 million into Chicago-area primaries
A WBEZ survey of the 46 Democratic congressional candidates in four key races shows the few hopefuls getting AIPAC-linked support would not answer yes or no on putting strict conditions on U.S. milita...
www.wbez.org
February 27, 2026 at 4:25 PM
You may have heard about #AIPAC trying to influence four #Chicago-area congressional races. But you need to see the scale and effects. This @wbez.org / @chicago.suntimes.com investigation is revealing.
#Israel #Gaza @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
#Israel #Gaza @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
A retired #CPD detective accused of leading #torture at #Gitmo insists he used no coercion to get a man’s confession to a 7-year-old’s murder. He’s testifying for State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office, which is fighting the man’s bid for a retrial. @wbez.org.
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Ex-Chicago Det. Richard Zuley denies torturing out confession to 7-year-old Dantrell Davis’s murder
Zuley has ties to alleged coercion of suspects in Chicago and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He testified as part of State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s effort to block Anthony Garrett’s bid for a retrial....
www.wbez.org
February 19, 2026 at 3:50 PM
A retired #CPD detective accused of leading #torture at #Gitmo insists he used no coercion to get a man’s confession to a 7-year-old’s murder. He’s testifying for State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office, which is fighting the man’s bid for a retrial. @wbez.org.
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
A River North developer has leapt far ahead in fundraising to take over U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’s seat in Congress. Jason Friedman, one of 13 candidates in the Democratic primary, would be the district’s first white rep in 53 years.
@wbez.org @mitchtrout.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
@wbez.org @mitchtrout.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
River North developer holds big fundraising lead in Democratic fight to replace U.S. Rep. Danny Davis
Jason Friedman's cash advantage stands out in 13-way congressional primary as one top rival condemns him for having "never been a partner in this fight" to lift up the West Side.
www.wbez.org
February 12, 2026 at 3:55 PM
A River North developer has leapt far ahead in fundraising to take over U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’s seat in Congress. Jason Friedman, one of 13 candidates in the Democratic primary, would be the district’s first white rep in 53 years.
@wbez.org @mitchtrout.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...
@wbez.org @mitchtrout.bsky.social
www.wbez.org/politics/202...