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."

The Cook County chief judge's office has referred allegations made against a Cook County judge to a state board for investigation after a lawyer was handcuffed to a chair at the Daley Center following a confrontation in a courtroom last month.

Crime and Public Safety |
Chief judge’s office refers allegations to Judicial Inquiry Board after lawyer handcuffed to a chair

June 12, 2024 at 6:43 p.m.

The Cook County chief judge's office has referred allegations made against a Cook County judge to a state board for investigation after a lawyer was handcuffed to a chair at...

Cook County prosecutors will be allowed to present at trial statements made by the younger brother of Jayden Perkins hours after the 11-year-old boy was brutally stabbed and their mother seriously wounded.

Crime and Public Safety |
‘I loved him so much’: Judge allows prosecutors to use interview of 5-year-old younger brother of Jayden Perkins with details of brutal stabbing

June 10, 2024 at 5:32 p.m.

Cook County prosecutors will be allowed to present at trial statements made by the younger brother of Jayden Perkins hours after the 11-year-old boy was brutally stabbed and their mother...

A judge has granted a new sentencing hearing to a woman arguing for relief from her 28-year prison sentence because she said she shot and killed her abuser out of fear and panic.

Crime and Public Safety |
‘I want my daughter home’: Woman who killed alleged abuser granted new sentencing hearing in wake of legislation

June 7, 2024 at 5:37 p.m.

A judge has granted a new sentencing hearing to a woman arguing for relief from her 28-year prison sentence because she said she shot and killed her abuser out of...

In another set of sweeping lawsuits, former residents of juvenile detention centers have alleged widespread sexual abuse in youth prisons across Illinois and are calling on state officials to reform the system.

Crime and Public Safety |
‘No one listened’: Former Illinois youth detainees allege widespread abuse, call for reform

June 3, 2024 at 4:56 p.m.

In another set of sweeping lawsuits, former residents of juvenile detention centers have alleged widespread sexual abuse in youth prisons across Illinois and are calling on state officials to reform...

A Cook County judge on Thursday sentenced a woman to 30 years in prison for helping her mother kill a pregnant teen and cut the baby out of her womb.

Crime and Public Safety |
Woman sentenced to 30 years for helping her mother kill pregnant teen: ‘I could never apologize for what I did’

May 30, 2024 at 3:24 p.m.

A Cook County judge on Thursday sentenced a woman to 30 years in prison for helping her mother kill a pregnant teen and cut the baby out of her womb.

Crime and Public Safety |
United flight to Seattle aborts takeoff at O’Hare after engine fire

May 28, 2024 at 6:13 a.m.

A flight bound for Seattle aborted takeoff Monday afternoon at O'Hare International Airport due to an engine fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. No one was injured after the...

Crime and Public Safety |
Chicago police investigate 3 separate Memorial Day slayings

May 28, 2024 at 6:13 a.m.

Three people were killed in separate attacks on Memorial Day, as the city marked the traditional beginning of the summer season, according to the Chicago Police Department. Around 8 a.m....

A City Winery dishwasher who allegedly chased a server into the dining room and fatally stabbed him in front of stunned patrons was ordered detained Friday by a judge pending trial.

Crime and Public Safety |
Judge orders man held in stabbing of City Winery server after prosecutors describe crime witnessed by patrons: ‘They could not believe what was happening’

May 24, 2024 at 4:22 p.m.

A City Winery dishwasher who allegedly chased a server into the dining room and fatally stabbed him in front of stunned patrons was ordered detained Friday by a judge pending...

Crime and Public Safety |
Ex-Chicago police officer acquitted of killing girlfriend

May 17, 2024 at 9:53 p.m.

A jury late Friday acquitted a former Chicago police officer who was accused of killing his girlfriend after weighing whether they believed his claim that the mother of his child...

More than a decade after the killing of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton put a national spotlight on Chicago's entrenched problem with gun violence, Illinois prosecutors worked to salvage a conviction against the alleged shooter before the state's highest court.

Crime and Public Safety |
State seeks to salvage high-profile conviction in Hadiya Pendleton slaying in arguments before Illinois Supreme Court

May 15, 2024 at 4:45 p.m.

More than a decade after the killing of 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton put a national spotlight on Chicago's entrenched problem with gun violence, Illinois prosecutors worked to salvage a conviction against...

All Stories