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.

The Deer family pose with Mayor Brandon Johnson in an undated photo. From left are, Keenan Deer, Kaleb Deer, Barbara Deer, Trinity Deer and Mayor Brandon Johnson outside the Dennis Deer Community Justice Center. (Rev. Chris Griffin)

Garfield Park neighbors and elected officials mourn wife and son of former Cook County commissioner

April 15, 2026 at 12:26 p.m.

The widow and son of former Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found dead inside the family’s home in Garfield Park Tuesday night, police said.

Wife and son of former Cook County commissioner found dead inside West Side home

April 15, 2026 at 11:50 a.m.

The widow and son of former Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found dead inside the family's home on the city’s West Side Tuesday night, police said.

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)

Wisconsin sheriff sues Skokie woman and Cook County politician who claimed she was detained by ICE

April 10, 2026 at 5:28 p.m.

Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt is suing in his individual capacity Summer Sundas 'Sunny' Naqvi and Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, alleging damage to his reputation.

Roseland man accused of killing mother, 88, rolling body in rug

April 9, 2026 at 4:26 p.m.

Kevan Works, 66, faces single counts of first-degree murder and concealing a homicidal death for the death of his 88-year-old mother.

Two cops stripped of police powers in domestic violence cases

April 9, 2026 at 3:12 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department last month stripped two officers of their police powers after the officers were charged with domestic violence, recently released records show.

Wisconsin officials to address claims from Skokie woman that she was detained by ICE for 48 hours

April 9, 2026 at 7:15 p.m.

Wisconsin law enforcement officials are set to release new information about Sunny Naqvi's claims last month that U.S. immigration officials detained her.

Then-congressional candidate Katherine "Kat" Abughazaleh, second from left, with her boyfriend, Ben Collins, left, leaves with her attorneys at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in the Loop on Jan. 28, 2026, after a hearing for charges of conspiracy during a protest outside the Broadview ICE facility in September. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Judge won’t compel prosecutors to produce White House communications in Broadview Six case

April 7, 2026 at 2:45 p.m.

A federal judge on Tuesday rejected defense attorneys' argument that the government was conducting a vindictive prosecution of four local political figures for their alleged misconduct outside the Broadview processing...

Kevin McVey stands outside the building at 55 E. Monroe St. where immigration court is held after observing morning proceedings on March 23, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Immigration court observers — and their oversight — routinely locked out of process

March 30, 2026 at 12:20 p.m.

Legal observers are being digitally shut out of immigration court hearings at a moment of uncertainty for immigrants who are seeking to obtain legal status around the country against a...

Men held pending trial in ‘brazen’ slaying of Near West Side businessman

March 27, 2026 at 5:32 p.m.

Nassie Mason, 28, and Erving Harris, 31, were ordered held pending trial at a Friday detention hearing.

Rogers Park officer accused of inappropriate behavior toward female students as high school security officer

March 27, 2026 at 6:17 p.m.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability called on the Chicago Police Department to fire a cop over inappropriate contact with female students.

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