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.

Chicago rapper Lil Durk, born Durk Banks, before throwing out a ceremonial pitch as the White Sox prepare to host the Angels at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 2, 2022. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Lil Durk seeks dismissal of federal case as lawyers say threats to judge and prosecutor were withheld from defense

November 14, 2025 at 1:43 p.m.

Attorneys in Los Angeles for the Chicago rapper allege a series of threats made against the judge and lead prosecutor in the case was improperly withheld from the defense.

Images from cellphone video allegedly show off-duty Chicago police Officer Salvador Perez lunge at a woman during a fight outside a Wrigleyville restaurant in 2019. (Civilian Office of Police Accountability)

2 Chicago cops who started drunken Wrigleyville brawl kept jobs after one-year suspensions

November 13, 2025 at 9:26 a.m.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability disclosed both officers were recommended to be separated from CPD, but the city later agreed to let the men each serve a one-year suspension.

Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino shakes hands with Chicago police Sgt. Glenn Polanek after the Border Patrol’s convoy of vehicles stopped Nov. 6, 2025, next to Marquette Park on Chicago’s South Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Ignoring trends, President Donald Trump credits Operation Midway Blitz for drop in Chicago violence

November 12, 2025 at 3:53 p.m.

President Donald Trump this week ignored several consecutive years of decreases in Chicago’s violent crime and instead credited “Operation Midway Blitz” for the continuing downward trend.

Little Village double fatal shooting by jewelry store follows Saturday morning of clashes with immigration agents

November 10, 2025 at 3:41 p.m.

On Saturday evening, a man made off with goods from a jewelry store in the 3800 block of West 26th Street. After two store employees chased the suspect, they and...

The Chicago police star is seen on Jan. 4, 2022, at police headquarters. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

CPD sergeant sues city over discipline delays in internal affairs cases

November 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

A Chicago Police sergeant who was sexually harassed by her former supervisor has filed a federal lawsuit against the city — seeking class status to represent scores of CPD officers...

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino carries tear gas, a rifle and a body camera while conducting immigration enforcement operations on Oct. 31, 2025, in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Border Patrol tear gas use involving cops down after talking with CPD, Snelling says

November 5, 2025 at 6:52 p.m.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Wednesday said the use of tear gas by federal immigration agents has lessened after he spoke with leaders from Customs and Border Protection.

Pedestrians pass a Little Village mural in Chicago, Oct. 30, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Operation Midway Blitz linked to dip in 911 calls, especially in Little Village

November 3, 2025 at 6:30 a.m.

The rate of 911 calls made in Chicago has dropped precipitously in the two months since the start of Operation Midway Blitz, a Tribune review of city data found, and...

The Leighton Criminal Court Building, April 3, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

THF Bayzoo, associate of Lil Durk, killed in Little Village shooting

October 27, 2025 at 6:12 p.m.

Eight years after he was acquitted of a murder charge, South Side drill rapper “THF Bayzoo,” who had close ties to Chicago musician Lil Durk, was shot to death in Little...

An angry crowd faces off with Border Patrol agents after a raid at the Discount Mall on West 26th Street in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood on Oct. 23, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino accused of violating judge’s order by throwing tear gas at crowd in Little Village Thursday

October 23, 2025 at 8:54 p.m.

Federal immigration officials were in Little Village neighborhood on the Southwest Side Thursday for the second time in two days.

Demonstrators gather at Butler Field for the "No Kings" rally and march on Oct. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

‘No Kings’ rally in downtown Chicago draws more than 100K protesters: ‘You fight for the people’

October 18, 2025 at 7:47 p.m.

The No Kings “Hands off Chicago” protest was one of roughly 2,500 similar demonstrations against the Trump administration planned across the country and globe, according to organizers.

All Stories