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It’s Tuesday. Catch up on the latest from WTTW News. |
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Marimar Martinez speaks during a press conference on Oct. 5, 2026. (WTTW News) |
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Marimar Martinez, the Montessori school teacher who survived being shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in Brighton Park last year during “Operation Midway Blitz,” has filed a new lawsuit and hopes prosecutors could still bring criminal charges against the man who shot her.
Almost a year to the day after Border Patrol Agent Charles Exum shot Martinez, her attorneys on Monday announced the filing of a federal lawsuit they hope will put pressure on local and federal prosecutors to bring charges.
“I want to spread awareness because what’s happening is not normal,” Martinez said at a news conference Monday. “We shouldn’t sit here and normalize what’s happening. And I’m not gonna sit here.”
The lawsuit names only the United States as a defendant and includes charges of negligence, battery, assault, false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and infliction of emotional distress.
Martinez filed a report with the Chicago Police Department in August, and her attorneys on Monday said a detective has been assigned to investigate. If the CPD brings evidence to Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office, charges could eventually be filed against Exum.
While that investigation appears to be progressing, Martinez’s attorney Chris Parente said they’ve gotten no updates on a federal investigation into the shooting.
Some backstory:
Exum, who was placed on leave by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security earlier this year, shot Martinez five times after the agent allegedly rammed his vehicle into Martinez’s car near 39th Street and Kedzie Avenue.
According to Parente, Exum shot Marimar without justification then lied to the FBI during their investigation into the incident as federal officials spread falsehoods to defend his conduct and vilify Martinez.
“How can they treat Chicago citizens one way and treat their own agents a completely other way,” Parente said, referencing the swift charges the Trump administration has brought against nonviolent protesters. “Somebody needs to do something at this point and bring accountability for what happened here.”
Martinez survived the shooting and was charged with assaulting the agents, but federal prosecutors moved to dismiss that case with prejudice just weeks later.
After the charges were dropped, Parente pushed for a federal judge to release sealed evidence from the case, which was eventually published early this year. |
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Alex Wolinski, right, is sworn into the Niles Police Department on Dec. 5, 2023. (Niles Police Department) |
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The former Chicago Police Department sergeant who was fired for leading the botched raid that left Anjanette Young handcuffed while naked inside her home is now a detective in north suburban Niles, even after an appellate court upheld his termination, records show.
Illinois’ First District Appellate Court ruled Sept. 8 that a Cook County judge properly upheld the Chicago Police Board’s June 2023 decision to terminate former Sgt. Alex Wolinski for his conduct in 2019, when he led a team of 12 officers into Young’s apartment looking for a man who did not live there. Wolinski can still appeal that ruling to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Wolinski was hired by Niles about six months after the decision by the Chicago Police Board, which detailed multiple departmental rule violations. The city also settled a multimillion-dollar lawsuit over the raid.
However, last month’s ruling will not prompt leaders of the Niles Police Department to reconsider their decision to hire him as a police officer in October 2023 and then transfer him to the detective bureau in June of this year.
Detectives conduct adult and juvenile criminal investigations, interview witnesses, identify suspects and share intelligence with police units and outside agencies.
Wolinski did not respond to a request for comment from WTTW News. His salary is more than $119,000, according to records from Niles.
More context:
Records obtained by WTTW News reveal what Wolinski disclosed to the village before he was sworn in.
In his application for the Niles job, Wolinski wrote that he was separated from CPD, though the reason for his dismissal was not detailed.
Records show Wolinski authorized Niles to perform a background check before he was hired. He was also required to complete a psychological examination, pass a drug screening and provide a driver’s license and firearm owners identification
Young, who is now a member of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, called the decision by Niles officials to stand by Wolinski’s hiring and later shift to detective “very disappointing and disheartening.” |
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(Ionel Lupu / iStock) |
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New research shows ward boundaries shape more than we might realize.
The study, which tracks 100 years of ward redistricting in Chicago and Milwaukee, found that 15% of Chicago’s land has never changed wards. Researchers argue neighborhoods that have not been redistricted, referred to as “untouched communities,” are the ones in the best position to hold political influence and benefit from public resources. Through their historical analysis, researchers suggest these communities are protected through state laws and settlement formation as the result of 19th century settler colonialism and gerrymandering.
The study also concludes that neighborhoods that include predominately Black, Latino, immigrant and working-class communities are disproportionately redistricted.
Robert Vargas, sociology professor at the University of Chicago, director of the UChicago Justice Project and corresponding author of the study, said ward redistricting mechanisms have changed over time.
“In the spirit of trying to maintain and provide racially fair maps, a consequence of this is the dividing up and splitting of communities,” Vargas said. “I think what’s really crucial now is with the rolling back of the Voting Rights Act, which we’ve seen with Louisiana v. Callais, people who are concerned about racial equity are having to go back to the drawing board.”
Chicago has redrawn its maps 21 times since 1837. The most recent redistricting took place in 2022, when members of City Council’s Latino Caucus fought for drawing more majority Latino wards to account for the community’s rapidly growing population |
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More From WTTW News:
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Back in the Day: October 6, 1945 - “The Curse of the Billy Goat” Begins |
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On this day 81 years ago, William Sianis, the flamboyant, attention-grabbing owner of the Billy Goat Tavern, planned to catch the Chicago Cubs play the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the World Series at Wrigley Field. His guest for his pair of $7.20 box seat tickets? His pet goat, Murphy. Stadium ushers stopped Sianis from entering, stating that no animals were allowed in the ballpark, which prompted Sianis to curse the franchise. Where the Cubs were once one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball, they wouldn’t appear in a World Series until 2016 when they “broke the curse.” Sianis’ curse was blamed for the black cat incident of 1969, the Steve Bartman ball of 2003 and several other mishaps. |
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things in Chicago. This week, it’s digital reporter Eunice Alpasan on very normal things you can do in the most unexpected places.
Eunice Alpasan: One of the best parts about living in Chicago is there’s no shortage of hidden gems and interesting history everywhere you go. I especially love seeing reminders of people finding opportunities in unlikely places and somehow making things work. Here are some unassuming spots that encapsulate that enduring spirit of the city.
Drink at the best dive bar located inside a classic bowling alley (Fireside Bowl)
One of my favorite bars in the city is attached to Fireside Bowl, an old-school bowling alley. I admittedly haven’t even gone bowling here, but the bar alone is worth a visit if you’re in Logan Square. There’s a window looking into the bowling lanes where you can watch people play. I also love the dark wood wall paneling, which feels like I’m in someone’s basement. The building’s facade and neon sign are awe-inspiring. It also used to host legendary DIY punk shows in the ‘90s, which somehow makes this place even cooler than it already is.
Get bubble tea inside a laundromat (Jay's Bubble Tea Cafe)
When I learned about a hidden boba shop inside John's Lavanderia in Pilsen, it felt too good to be true. Beyond the novelty of it, there’s also a rush of bittersweet nostalgia whenever I step into a laundromat, a place I often found myself growing up. The boba shop operates out of a little window inside the laundromat, offering milk teas, fruit teas and smoothies. The tapioca pearls are fine, and the fact that they have almond milk is a huge plus. But this place stands out more for also being an unassuming hangout spot and quaint place to sit by a window and ponder.
Play pinball inside a repurposed salt factory boiler room (Elston Electric)
This arcade is a great spot to check out before seeing a show at the Salt Shed, which was formerly the iconic Morton Salt factory. The arcade is attached to the music venue, and offers a variety of new and classic games. Personally, I gravitate toward the pinball machines. My favorites include Cactus Canyon, Jaws and Pulp Fiction. The arcade embraces its industrial history as the factory’s old boiler room, and it’s especially noticeable at the bar area, which is built around a giant hunk of old machinery that goes from the floor and into the ceiling. |
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What's your favorite musical artist or band from Chicago? Tell us why. |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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