Sam Charles

Sam Charles is a criminal justice reporter for the Chicago Tribune covering the Chicago Police Department. He was previously a staff reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times and an investigative producer at WGN-TV. He is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago.

License plate readers attached to Chicago police vehicles on June 4, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

CPD unveils new policy on license plate reader cameras

October 26, 2026 at 2:01 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department has unveiled a draft of a new policy governing officers’ use of automated license plate reader technology.

Chicago police officers and detectives investigate a police-involved shooting in an alley behind the 5600 block of South Michigan Avenue, Nov. 18, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Outside task force needed to investigate Chicago police shootings: Illinois AG

October 20, 2026 at 4:38 p.m.

The Office of the Illinois Attorney General on Tuesday called for the formation of a new law enforcement task force to investigate shootings by Chicago Police officers.

A mural shows Vincent Sherrod and Kristen Pierce-Sherrod on the wall of Harold’s Chicken in Markham on Sept. 8, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Origin of CEO’s ‘will’ at center of family’s ownership squabble over Harold’s Chicken brand

October 20, 2026 at 3:02 p.m.

More than 10 months after the CEO of Harold’s Chicken Shack died, the effort to settle her estate and determine ownership of the legendary local restaurant brand has, for now,...

Police tape flaps in the breeze near the corner of 24th Street and South Rockwell Street, where an off-duty police officer shot a man just after midnight, on Oct. 4, 2026, in Little Village. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune)

CPD officer stripped of police powers after off-duty shooting in Little Village

October 16, 2026 at 6:33 p.m.

The Chicago police officer who shot a man while off-duty earlier this month in the Little Village neighborhood has been stripped of his police powers, according to a CPD spokesperson.

Police supervisors and officers stand side-by-side during a memorial roll call and gathering in memory of Officer Aréanah M. Preston on the two-year anniversary of her death, at the 5th District station, 727 E. 111th St., on May 6, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

CPD reaches milestone in consent-decree compliance amid changes in leadership

October 14, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department has reached preliminary compliance with nearly all paragraphs of the ongoing federal consent decree, according to the team that reviews the city’s adherence.

Girls from Gloria Kowalewicz's First Communion class walk beside her casket as it is wheeled out of St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church in Chicago on Nov. 16, 1960, following her funeral Mass. Gloria's parents, Edward and Esther Kowalewicz, follow close behind. Editor’s note: This historic print shows some hand painting in the background. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

Closing a 65-year-old cold case, CPD says 8-year-old girl was brutally murdered by a young Chicago cop

October 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

It was a crime that shocked the city and stayed a mystery for decades, but now police say they have solved the killing of Gloria Kowalewicz using DNA technology. And...

Bob Stange carries a broom while tailgating before the White Sox play Game 3 of the American League Division Series against the Guardians at Rate Field on Oct. 7, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Heaven can wait: White Sox fans feel blessed as unlikely playoff run comes home

October 7, 2026 at 6:52 p.m.

It was the kind of weekday afternoon party at Rate Field that Chicago White Sox fans dream of as a magical playoff run arrived on the South Side.

White Sox fans Ricardo Duran, from left, Rafael Diaz and Christian Casco cheer after the Sox scored a run in the first inning of their wild-card series game against the Astros, as the group watches the game at Mitchell’s Tap in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood Sept. 29, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

With the White Sox and Cubs both in the playoffs, sports bars are busier than ever: ‘It’s great for everyone’

September 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Both teams in the playoffs means business is up at drinking spots around the city.

The Chicago Police Department and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability have each opened investigations after a viral video surfaced purporting to show an off-duty CPD sergeant profanely threatening a group of teenagers and their families on the Southwest Side. (X)

CPD sergeant charged with battery after viral confrontation on Southwest Side

September 29, 2026 at 5:24 p.m.

A Chicago police sergeant was charged with two felony counts of battery earlier this month for allegedly hitting a teen girl in the head, leaving her with a concussion, during...

President Remel Terry, second from right, and others listen during the public comment portion of a monthly meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) at Kelly College Preparatory High School in Chicago, April 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

44 applicants vie to become next CPD Superintendent

September 28, 2026 at 8:09 p.m.

Forty-four prospective candidates have submitted applications to become the next permanent superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, according to the city agency tasked with vetting those bids.

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