There are only 16 more Mondays left in 2024. Today, WTTW News looks at the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Adam Toledo, the 13-year-old who was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer, as well as a fascinating look at the architect behind the Drake Hotel and other iconic buildings.
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A mural of Adam Toledo painted by Milton Coronado. (Matt Masterson / WTTW News)
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It’s hard to overstate what a profound impact the March 2021 death of 13-year-old Adam Toledo had on efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department and Chicago politics.
Three and a half years after he was shot and killed by a Chicago police officer, the lawsuit filed by his parents is set to go to trial Nov. 6, ramping up the pressure on lawyers for the city to negotiate a settlement in the high-profile case or face the possibility of a trial that could lead to a multimillion-dollar jury verdict. But the lawsuit has already proved costly for taxpayers, who have paid two private law firms more than $1.1 million.
Adam's death fueled the calls that led to Mayor Brandon Johnson's decision to cancel the city's contract with ShotSpotter, and to finally craft a long overdue policy governing when officers can chase people suspected of crimes. But even as the city made policy changes in the wake of his death, the officer who shot him has yet to be held accountable, despite a recommendation that he be fired. That makes the stakes of a potential civil trial even higher — for Marco and Elizabeth Toledo, CPD and taxpayers.
— Heather Cherone
To understand where we are today, it’s important to know the backstory on how the city approaches these lawsuits:
Chicago taxpayers frequently pay a premium to hire private lawyers to defend police officers in complicated lawsuits that allege they violated the civil rights of Chicagoans, rather than assigning staff attorneys on the city’s payroll to defend the officers.
The city’s contracts with the three police unions that represent all CPD members obligates the city to pay to defend lawsuits that allege misconduct.
Joel Hirschhorn, the lawyer for the Toledos, told WTTW News the city should settle the case. “A trial will reopen raw wounds,” Hirschhorn said, while a settlement will help bring closure to Toledo’s parents, who “hurt every day.”
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A postcard of the Edgewater Beach Hotel and Apartments, designed by Benjamin Marshall.
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If you’ve seen Chicago’s historic Drake Hotel, the Blackstone Hotel, and the Edgewater Beach Hotel and Apartments, then you're familiar with architect Benjamin Marshall. Even if his name doesn’t carry the weight of Louis Sullivan or Frank Lloyd Wright, people in the city would recognize his work, which also includes the South Shore Cultural Center, the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills and the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.
You innately know his work as part of the cityscape of Chicago. But if his name is a new discovery, luckily, we have WTTW News reporter Marc Vitali to help shine a light on the man behind the facades.
This year marks 150 years since Marshall’s birth — and 80 years since his death. Jane Lepauw, a realtor and president of the Benjamin Marshall Society spoke about his legacy.
Here's what Lepauw had to say:
"He was the most famous, celebrated architect of the 1920s to the point where the Prince of Wales, the future king of England, visited him in his home in Wilmette."
"Marshall is a part of every Chicagoan, and they should know it."
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Back in the Day: September 9, 1994 - Chicago Stadium Closes
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Chicago Stadium
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Built in 1929, Chicago Stadium hosted hockey, basketball and indoor soccer for 65 years before it closed its doors for good on this day 30 years ago. The longtime home of the Bulls and Blackhawks, the arena at 1800 W. Madison St. — which also hosted rodeos, concerts, presidential conventions and an NFL playoff game — shuttered to make way for the neighboring United Center. To mark its last day open, the Chicago Stadium hosted Scottie Pippen’s Ameritech Classic charity basketball game. There, Michael Jordan scored 52 points. After the United Center opened on Aug. 18, 1994, the Chicago Stadium was demolished from February to March in 1995.
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With football season starting, where is your favorite place in the city to watch the Chicago Bears?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Other News From Around Town:
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The Chicago Sun-Times reports that City Hall spent $814,000 on a fence to lock out homeless people from DNC.
Searching for new restaurants? Eater Chicago has a helpful list of upcoming fall openings. I’m particularly intrigued by Dicey’s Pizza & Tavern, West Town’s new tavern-style spot in the former Parson’s space.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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