Caroline Kubzansky

Caroline Kubzansky covers criminal justice with a focus on violence and its root causes for the Tribune. She previously worked as a general assignment reporter and started her career covering the northern suburbs. A graduate of the University of Illinois-Springfield's Public Affairs Reporting Program and the University of Chicago, she is a committed Chicago partisan and a native of Washington, D.C.

Shane, last name not given, prays beside flowers laying on the ground in memory of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman on the pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood on March 21, 2026. Chicago police have arrested a 25-year-old Rogers Park man in connection with the fatal shooting of Gorman on Thursday. Shane, who lives in a nearby building, said they heard the gunshot. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police arrest Rogers Park man in Loyola slaying

March 22, 2026 at 9:15 a.m.

Chicago police have arrested a Rogers Park man in connection with Thursday's fatal shooting of Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman.

Personnel hang bunting on the Chicago Fire Department Engine 70 building at North Clark Street on March 17, 2026, after firefighter Michael Altman died from falling through a floor while fighting a fire. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Murder, arson charges in Chicago firefighter’s death in Rogers Park

March 20, 2026 at 6:10 p.m.

Sheaves Slate, 27, will face separate murder and arson charges in the death of firefighter Michael Altman, Chicago police announced Friday afternoon.

Chicago police respond to the scene of a car crash into a CTA bus and an officer-involved shooting on Homan Avenue in Chicago on March 9, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police officer in Humboldt Park fatal shooting is stripped of police powers

March 19, 2026 at 8:34 p.m.

A Chicago police officer involved in the fatal shooting of a driver earlier this month was relieved of his police powers Friday, CPD representatives confirmed.

Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Michael Altman, who died after being critically injured during a fire in the city's Rogers Park neighborhood on March 16, 2026. (Chicago Fire Department)

Chicago police questioning man in connection to fire that killed firefighter Michael Altman as CFD announces funeral

March 18, 2026 at 7:07 p.m.

The Chicago Fire Department announced that visitation and funeral services for Michael Altman are scheduled for March 26 and 27.

Summer Sundas “Sunny” Naqvi, right, said she was detained by federal immigration officials upon her arrival at O'Hare International Airport. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials and local officials in Wisconsin, where Naqvi said she was held in custody, are disputing her account. Sister Sarah Afzal is at left. (Sarah Afzal)

A Skokie woman said ICE detained her for nearly 48 hours after landing at O’Hare. But is it true?

March 11, 2026 at 8:36 p.m.

A Skokie woman said ICE detained her for nearly 48 hours after landing at O’Hare. Three separate law enforcement agencies say her story doesn’t add up.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrives for a House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Homeland Security Department on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 4, 2026. (Salwan Georges/The New York Times)

‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out’: Illinois officials cheer Kristi Noem’s ouster at Homeland Security

March 6, 2026 at 11:47 a.m.

The DHS secretary's firing was celebrated by local officials and activists, who said good riddance to the woman who oversaw unprecedented immigration raids in the Chicago area.

The Chicago Police Department's headquarters on Dec. 31, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

‘Who does that?’ Judge scolds city for interrupting deposition to strip Chicago officer of police powers

March 5, 2026 at 2:54 p.m.

A visibly frustrated federal judge on Thursday took the city to task over the Chicago Police Department’s move to pull a North Side police officer out of a deposition late...

Keshia Golden weeps as her attorney Julie Koehler, right, speaks to the media following an unsuccessful call for the dismissal of charges against Golden at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on March 3, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Lawyers for woman accused of killing abusive ex-boyfriend call for case to be dropped

March 3, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

Lawyers and advocates for a woman charged with killing her abusive ex-boyfriend railed against prosecutors’ offer of a plea deal and probation Tuesday and renewed their calls for the Cook...

Former immigration Judge Carla Espinoza on Feb. 27, 2026. Espinoza has made a point of being public about her termination, questioning whether her past record and her race and gender were factors in the decision to let go of her and other members of her probationary class of judges. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago sees exodus of immigration judges during Trump’s second term

March 2, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Of the 21 judges who worked at the city's immigration court in January 2025, nine judges have resigned, taken buyouts or been terminated, a Tribune review found.

Chicago police headquarters, part of the City of Chicago Public Safety Headquarters building on South Michigan Avenue, is seen on Dec. 31, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

CPD officer stripped of police powers mid-deposition: ‘An unusual development’

February 24, 2026 at 10:24 a.m.

Deposition halts when cop becomes latest member of the 1863 tactical team to be stripped of his police powers or reassigned as complaints and lawsuits about the officers have stacked...

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