Commentary Archives

One public official shines the spotlight; another seeks to keep public in dark

We are struck by the contrast between the release of video by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office of abuse of prisoners — without prodding — and the decision by Chicago officials to withhold a video requested by WMAQ of a 2014 police shooting.

by Rick Tulsky April 15, 2016December 5, 2023

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Chicago’s new police superintendent: Due diligence be damned

by Rob Warden April 13, 2016December 5, 2023

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History repeats: Cops resume spying on critics

News of Chicago cops’ surveillance on political groups is nothing new. Back when Richard J. Daley was mayor, the Red Squad got diverted from suspected subversives to political opponents.

by Larry Green April 11, 2016December 5, 2023

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Speaking of malicious prosecutions…

Despite what you may have heard, the past statements of Alstory Simon make it clear that he committed a double murder. So how could he claim he was a victim of malicious prosecution?

by Rob Warden April 6, 2016December 5, 2023

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Foxx mandate also a mandate for Anita to resign now

An incumbent Cook County State’s Attorney has not been defeated in a primary since at least 1896. There is a message there: Anita Alvarez should resign now.

by Rob Warden March 24, 2016December 5, 2023

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How Chris Pfannkuche can best help Cook County

The Republican nominee to replace Anita Alvarez, Chris Pfannkuche, has a rare opportunity to restore the confidence of Cook County residents given good reason not to trust their criminal justice system.

by Rob Warden March 21, 2016December 5, 2023

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Anatomy of an audacious Alvarez lie

I’m not sure which offends me more — a naked falsehood that Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez propounded in a letter to the editor published in Sunday’s Chicago Tribune or the newspaper’s naked irresponsibility in letting her get away with it.

by Rob Warden March 14, 2016December 5, 2023

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Rejecting logic, Anita Alvarez embraces injustice

Alvarez’s job is to put and keep killers behind bars and move to promptly to free the innocent her office has wrongly convicted, but she’s done exactly the opposite in these cases.

by Rob Warden March 3, 2016December 5, 2023

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What Alvarez could (but probably won’t) do to curtail police perjury

I refer to the incontrovertible fact that police officers lie under oath with impunity — and with full knowledge and tacit support of Alvarez, her predecessors, and myriad present and former assistant state’s attorneys in contravention of their sworn duty to uphold the law.

by Rob Warden February 4, 2016December 5, 2023

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Can’t we be more like Iceland?

by Rick Tulsky December 29, 2015December 5, 2023

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