Chip Mitchell
@chipmitchell1.bsky.social
WBEZ Chicago reporter on public safety and health. https://www.wbez.org/author/chip-mitchell Mobile/Signal: 312-286-9986.
Over the last three years there have been more than 70 fires at an Illinois prison, including 12 cases of self-immolation. One man needed a skin graft. Another lost a leg. Two have died. A new investigation below. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/07/24/p...
A Prison on Fire
Designed to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.
themarshallproject.org
“I was confused the whole time because I’m not dangerous if I plead guilty, but I’m dangerous because I maintain my innocence.”
Chip Mitchell@chipmitchell1.bsky.social · 6d agoAfter decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free, or keep fighting to clear his name. I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision. @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free, or keep fighting to clear his name. I met him inside Cook County Jail to hear about his decision. @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com #murder #prisons #innocence #twill #Chicago #Illinois www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
After decades behind bars, Ivy Kelly was given a choice: Walk free or keep fighting to clear his name
A deal offered by prosecutors would have required Kelly to admit guilt following a murder trial tainted by a corrupt detective and ineffective counsel. Our reporter met Kelly inside the Cook County Ja...
wbez.org
I’m quoted in this article on an important bill to improve Illinois’s system for compensating the wrongfully convicted.
Chip Mitchell@chipmitchell1.bsky.social · last mo.A bill awaiting @govpritzker.illinois.gov's signature could boost #Illinois payments to wrongfully incarcerated people and, for the first time, make children eligible for the compensation, @wbez.org reports. #twill www.wbez.org/politics/202...
A bill awaiting @govpritzker.illinois.gov's signature could boost #Illinois payments to wrongfully incarcerated people and, for the first time, make children eligible for the compensation, @wbez.org reports. #twill www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Bill on Pritzker’s desk would boost state payments to the wrongfully convicted
The legislation would hike the maximum payout to $50,000 for each year spent behind bars and $25,000 per year on probation or parole, or under an order to register as a sex offender. “This will make a...
wbez.org
Brown University’s Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve argues that false confessions stem from something more pernicious than shoddy law enforcement.
New book finds entrenched Chicago police racism behind Cook County’s wrongful convictions
wbez.org
In a new book about Cook County (America's wrongful-conviction capital), Brown University’s @nvancleve argues that false confessions stem from something more pernicious than shoddy law enforcement. #Chicago #CPD www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
A man who says #Chicago #police beat him into confessing to the 1992 murder of a 7-year-old boy is a step closer to learning whether he’ll get a new trial. His fate hinges on the lead detective’s alleged ties to #torture at the U.S. detention camp in #Cuba. @wbez.org www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Man’s bid for a retrial in boy’s murder hinges on ex-Chicago cop’s alleged ties to Gitmo torture
A Cook County judge heard closing arguments Monday over a petition from Anthony Garrett, convicted of fatally shooting 7-year-old Dantrell Davis in 1992. Garrett's attorneys said former Detective Rich...
wbez.org
Make sure to click listen to hear this moving storytelling from @wbez.org’s @chipmitchell1.bsky.social chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...
When immigration agents arrested a Chicago mother, a stranger stepped in to care for her 3 kids
The three siblings had fended for themselves for nearly four weeks on the Southwest Side. Isabel Conde, 27, couldn’t find adults in their lives to take them in. So she did it herself.
chicago.suntimes.com
Read or tap the red "Listen" button on top to hear the story in the format (audio) for which it was conceived. Thanks @pksmid.bsky.social!
Patrick Smith@pksmid.bsky.social · 3mo agoPlease take the time to read this from @chipmitchell1.bsky.social -- a powerful tale and incredible storytelling.
As #Trump threatens strikes on civilian targets in #Iran, the November video from Democratic veterans urging military members to disobey illegal orders becomes newly relevant. www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/l...
Live updates: Trump warns Iran that Hormuz deadline is final
Follow live coverage of the Iran war, the global energy crisis, Trump's threats and ceasefire talks.
nbcnews.com
A reporter who exposed inner workings of rightist #Catholic cult #OpusDei lauds #PopeLeo for inviting him to meet: “The #Vatican helped create this monster, not least Pope John Paul II, [who] saw them almost like his personal green berets.” @garethgore.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
He spent years investigating Opus Dei, a Catholic group accused of a vast conspiracy of abuse. Then Pope Leo asked to meet
Gareth Gore’s 2024 book Opus alleges decades of manipulation, which the group has denied. He believes the pope wanted to send a clear message
theguardian.com
It takes integrity, grit and stamina to report stories like this. #Chicago is lucky to have @dmihalopoulos.bsky.social. @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com
Dan Mihalopoulos@dmihalopoulos.bsky.social · 4mo agoLongtime CHA board member Debra Parker drops lawsuit days after @wbez.org and @chicago.suntimes.com obtained internal report detailing accusations vs Parker chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
ICYMI, #Northwestern study claims to support #trans youth but, two years in, the researchers have yet to recruit many parents who support their child’s identity. The lead researcher has touted theory that trans women are feminine gay men & sex fetishists. @vimiller.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com
A Northwestern study claims to support trans youths' well-being, but some disagree
The study, led by psychology professor J. Michael Bailey, could fuel more legislation to push trans people to the margins, trans advocates say.
chicago.suntimes.com
Since our story Friday, shady "super PACs" have reported spending millions more in four Chicago-area Democratic primaries for U.S. House. Topped by pro-Israel, crypto and AI interests, the spending now exceeds $33.9 million. @wbez.org @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social www.wbez.org/government-p...
Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area and, according to one government watchdog, distorting democracy.
wbez.org
1/4 A few notes about our finding that “super PACs” — topped by pro-Israel, cryptocurrency and artificial-intelligence interests — have spent more than $31.4 million to influence voters ahead of primaries Tuesday in four Chicago-area U.S. House races. www.wbez.org/government-p...
Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area and, according to one government watchdog, distorting democracy.
wbez.org
Topped by pro-#Israel, #crypto and #AI interests, national groups spend >$31.4 million to sway #Chicago-area voters ahead of #Democratic primaries Tuesday in four U.S. House races. @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @mawaiq98.bsky.social @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social #twill www.wbez.org/government-p...
Cryptocurrency, AI join in $31 million super PAC blitz in four congressional primaries
Together with pro-Israel funds, the tech money is swamping Democratic rivals in the Chicago area and, according to one government watchdog, distorting democracy.
wbez.org
You may have heard about #AIPAC trying to influence four #Chicago-area congressional races. But you need to see the scale and effects. This @wbez.org / @chicago.suntimes.com investigation is revealing. #Israel #Gaza @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social www.wbez.org/politics/202...
Pro-Israel group’s donors and affiliates pour $13.7 million into Chicago-area primaries
A WBEZ survey of the 46 Democratic congressional candidates in four key races shows the few hopefuls getting AIPAC-linked support would not answer yes or no on putting strict conditions on U.S. milita...
wbez.org
A retired #CPD detective accused of leading #torture at #Gitmo insists he used no coercion to get a man’s confession to a 7-year-old’s murder. He’s testifying for State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office, which is fighting the man’s bid for a retrial. @wbez.org. www.wbez.org/criminal-jus...
Ex-Chicago Det. Richard Zuley denies torturing out confession to 7-year-old Dantrell Davis’s murder
Zuley has ties to alleged coercion of suspects in Chicago and Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. He testified as part of State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s effort to block Anthony Garrett’s bid for a retrial....
wbez.org
A River North developer has leapt far ahead in fundraising to take over U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’s seat in Congress. Jason Friedman, one of 13 candidates in the Democratic primary, would be the district’s first white rep in 53 years. @wbez.org @mitchtrout.bsky.social www.wbez.org/politics/202...
River North developer holds big fundraising lead in Democratic fight to replace U.S. Rep. Danny Davis
Jason Friedman's cash advantage stands out in 13-way congressional primary as one top rival condemns him for having "never been a partner in this fight" to lift up the West Side.
wbez.org
U.S. citizens are canceling trips abroad out of fear the Trump admin will seize their passport. This Twin Cities mother rarely leaves her home even. If she does, she tries to go with white friends or her “more racially ambiguous” kids. #KavanaughStops www.nytimes.com/2026/01/31/u...
Minneapolis Residents Wear Their Passports, Desperate to Ward Off ICE
nytimes.com
#Immigration arrests since #Trump took office have torn countless parents from their kids. When a suburban #Chicago school administrator heard that some former students of her district were in crisis, she decided to help. @icirr.bsky.social @nijc.bsky.social @wbez.org www.wbez.org/immigration/...
After Trump’s deportation blitz rips apart a Chicago-area family, a school official steps up
Immigration arrests since the president took office have separated countless parents from their children. A suburban school district administrator heard that some former students were in crisis. She d...
wbez.org
What Noem continues to insist today… also was completely contradicted by what Bovino told my colleague @chipmitchell1.bsky.social on Michigan Avenue in Chicago Chicago in September www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Transcript: Gregory Bovino says arrestees in Downtown Chicago chosen based partly on ‘how they look’
WBEZ spoke with the U.S. Border Patrol commander about a deportation blitz in the Loop and River North. He said our report took his comments out of context. Here is the transcript and unedited audio r...
wbez.org
A #BorderPatrol agent’s camera captures a detainee’s lament: ‘We don’t have the opportunity that you have.’ More than 40 hours of bodycam footage offers a new lens into #Chicago clashes between #immigration agents and the public. @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com www.wbez.org/public-safet...
Border Patrol agent’s camera captures detainee’s lament: ‘We don’t have the opportunity that you have’
Dozens of hours of body-camera footage offer a new lens into clashes between immigration agents and the public during "Operation Midway Blitz" on the Northwest Side.
wbez.org
Extraordinary footage 1/2: A construction worker, surrounded by #BorderPatrol agents in a #HomeDepot parking lot near #Chicago, stands on the roof of a van. Agents try to climb up. The worker jumps to the pavement and runs away. www.facebook.com/reel/3162164...
119K views · 968 reactions | 🚨 ALERTA: PATRULLA FRONTERIZA EN CICERO ESTA MAÑANA — Están llegando reportes de que la Patrulla Fronteriza ya llegó y que esta mañana ya la vieron en Cicero en Home Depot...
🚨 ALERTA: PATRULLA FRONTERIZA EN CICERO ESTA MAÑANA — Están llegando reportes de que la Patrulla Fronteriza ya llegó y que esta mañana ya la vieron en Cicero en Home Depot. Les voy a estar avisando...
facebook.com
The protester faced prison — but the charges got dropped right after video emerged. Cole Sheridan told his story to @chipmitchell1.bsky.social www.wbez.org/immigration/...
Protester says dismissed assault case shows Border Patrol chief is dishonest: ‘His word means nothing’
Cole Sheridan was charged with assaulting Gregory Bovino in Broadview, but prosecutors tossed the case after a video appeared to contradict Bovino’s account. Several similar cases have been dismissed ...
wbez.org
Failed mayoral candidate Ja'mal Green is once again claiming on social media that @thetriibe.com's story on how Paul Vallas’s campaign paid him is untrue. I edited that story; @tonia.thetriibe.com reported it. So once again: here are the receipts. bit.ly/JaymalPaid
