Madeline Buckley

Madeline Buckley is a criminal justice reporter for the Chicago Tribune covering courts and the legal system. She covers courthouses across Cook County but is usually found at "26th and Cal."

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke speaks to the media in the hallway at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Dec. 16, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Can state’s attorney take over some Burge-related cases? A judge will decide.

September 10, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Some cases related to former CPD Cmdr. Jon Burge may end up back under the purview of State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke – though not before a judge untangles knotty...

Families who used South Chicago Chapel and Bohemian National Cemetery to handle the remains of deceased loved ones gather outside the closed funeral home for a vigil Aug. 30, 2026, in the South Deering neighborhood. Over 50 decomposing bodies were discovered earlier in the month at the funeral home and cemetery. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Maggots, rat feces and a body in a bathroom: Records detail decrepit conditions at South Side funeral home

September 2, 2026 at 4:21 p.m.

On Aug. 3, state investigators inspecting the notorious South Chicago Chapel were confronted with an overwhelming smell and a nightmarish scene.

State Sen. Cristina Castro speaks about unaccompanied immigrant children being targeted for deportation removal in court during a press conference Aug. 26, 2026, at the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago’s Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Immigration judges in Chicago deporting abused, neglected children in violation of their due process: attorneys

August 26, 2026 at 6:14 p.m.

An immigration judge entered removal proceedings against some of the children, despite their attempts to seek a long-held legal protection to remain in safety in the United States due to...

Keshia Golden, left, is hugged by a supporter after speaking to the media at the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Aug. 24, 2026, after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter. She was sentenced to two years' probation. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

‘No winners here.’ Woman sentenced to probation in death of boyfriend after alleged abuse.

August 24, 2026 at 5:47 p.m.

Keshia Golden pleaded guilty to a felony count of involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to two years of probation.

The setting sun illuminates the exterior of South Chicago Chapel in the 2900 block of East 95th Street on Aug. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Years before corpses found at South Side funeral home, owners left decomposing bodies in van: police

August 17, 2026 at 7:12 p.m.

An Evergreen Park police officer was immediately suspicious when he found a running Chrysler minivan with two clearly decomposing corpses inside.

Officers investigate the South Chicago Chapel funeral home where 56 bodies were discovered on Aug. 6, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Missed opportunities, incomplete investigations preceded discovery of 56 bodies at funeral home

August 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The ongoing investigation into South Chicago Chapel is just the latest grim incident involving the so-called death care industry and highlights weaknesses within state law and enforcement.

Adriane Moen sits in her Rock Island home on Aug. 11, 2026. Moen was granted a judgment in a federal court civil case against John Woolridge, formerly of Chicago, who allegedly trafficked her for sex. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

‘The most reprehensible possible’: Rock Island woman wins rare $50M judgment against alleged sex trafficker

August 12, 2026 at 4:18 p.m.

Adriane Moen won a $50 million judgement from her alleged sex trafficker in an unusual case that she hopes will pave the way for other survivors of sex trafficking.

Federal agent Adam Saracco arrives for at the Maywood Courthouse on March 24, 2026. Saracco has pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor battery for throwing a protester to the ground. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

ICE agent pleads guilty to battering a protester at Brookfield gas station

August 12, 2026 at 3:57 p.m.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of battery for throwing a protester to the ground while he filmed the agent on his...

Workers remove bodies from the South Chicago Chapel in the South Deering neighborhood on Aug. 7, 2026. The remains of over 50 people were discovered the day before at the funeral home in the 2900 block of East 95th Street. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

‘I want to see some justice’: Families, officials call for change amid investigation into funeral home

August 7, 2026 at 7:22 p.m.

Authorities on Friday continued to investigate after the remains of more than 50 people were recovered Thursday at a South Deering funeral home on the city’s Southeast Side.

Outgoing Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans greets people as Charles Beach is installed as the new chief judge at a ceremony on Dec. 1, 2025, at Chicago-Kent College of Law. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Former Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans appointed as appellate justice

August 6, 2026 at 5:13 p.m.

Former Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans has been appointed to serve as a justice for an Illinois appeals court, securing a prestigious judgeship nearly a year after he was...

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