Illinois
Week in Review: Couple attacked by teen mob • Hall of Fame comes to Mongo • Mega Millions jackpot in Illinois
Fox 32’s Week in Review – June 7
These are the top stories on Fox 32’s Week in Review.
CHICAGO – A Chicago woman spoke out after she and her husband were attacked by a group of teens in Streeterville; the hall of fame is making a special exception for Bears’ legend Steve McMichael; and a winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth an estimated $560 million was sold in Illinois.
These are the top stories on Fox 32’s Week in Review.
Chicago wife, husband attacked by teens for no apparent reason
A husband and wife were attacked after going on a date in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood on Friday.
Chicago woman speaks out after she and husband attacked by teens in Streeterville
A husband and wife were attacked after going on a date in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood on Friday.
The couple found themselves surrounded by teens around 8:30 p.m. at Grand Avenue and McClurg Court. They were kicked, stomped on, and punched repeatedly.
Nina, who didn’t want to show her face on camera, shared images with FOX 32 showing a chunk of her hair pulled out. During the interview, her eye was still bruised.
Her husband was also viciously attacked by the group, which held him down.
Pro Football Hall of Fame making special exception for Bears legend Steve McMichael
The hall of fame is making a special exception for the Bears’ legend and his hall of fame induction.
How the Pro Football Hall of Fame is making a special exception for Bears legend Steve McMichael
The NFL’s Hall of Fame Game is less than two months away, which means football season is right around the corner as well.
Three former Chicago Bears are set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Devin Hester, Julius Peppers and Steve McMichael. McMichael spent 13 of his 15 seasons with the Bears.
FOX 32’s Lou Canellis got the chance to visit with the McMichael family and got an update on McMichael’s Hall of Fame celebration.
The hall of fame is making a special exception for the Bears’ legend.
2 suburban teens dead in Eisenhower Expressway crash; Chicago woman charged with reckless homicide
A Chicago woman is in custody after allegedly crashing into another vehicle and killing two people on the Eisenhower Expressway over the weekend.
Ashanti Gates, 21, has been charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, two counts of reckless homicide and child endangerment.
On Sunday, Illinois State Police (ISP) troopers responded to a fatal crash on I-290 westbound near Paulina Avenue in Cook County.
While investigating the crash, ISP determined that a white Toyota sedan had pulled onto the right shoulder of the expressway and put its hazard lights on due to a flat tire.
Driver killed in crash on Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare airport identified
One driver has died and three others are hospitalized after a crash on the Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare International Airport.
Driver killed in crash on Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare airport identified
One driver has died and three others are hospitalized after a crash on the Tri-State Tollway near O’Hare International Airport.
The crash happened just before 4 p.m. Friday on I-294 southbound, near Golf Road in the inbound lanes and prompted a massive response from police and first responders.
Details on what led to the crash are unknown, but Illinois State Police said it was a “four-unit, rear-end, chain reaction, fatal crash.”
Indiana boy’s death ruled a homicide
The cause of death for a 10-year-old boy who died in April has been released.
Investigation underway after Indiana coroner releases 10-year-old boy’s cause of death
The cause of death was released this week for a 10-year-old boy who died in April after police were called to a home in northwest Indiana for a ‘medical emergency.’
According to the St. Joseph County Coroner’s Office, Dakota Stevens, of Valparaiso, died from mechanical asphyxia. His death has been ruled a homicide.
On April 25, patrol officers were called to a home in the 200 block of Falcon Way in Liberty Township, near Valparaiso, for a ‘medical emergency.’ Upon arrival, officers located the child and emergency medical services transported him to a local hospital for treatment.
Mega Millions winning jackpot ticket worth $560M sold in Illinois
A winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth an estimated $560 million was sold in Illinois, lottery officials announced Wednesday.
Mega Millions winning jackpot ticket worth $560M sold in Illinois
A winning Mega Millions jackpot ticket worth an estimated $560 million was sold in Illinois, lottery officials announced Wednesday.
The ticket matched all six numbers from Tuesday night’s drawing plus the gold Mega Ball 17. The winning numbers were 19, 37, 40, 63 and 69.
The jackpot-winning ticket was sold online. Lottery officials said this is the second person online to win over a million this week.
‘Heat of the moment’: Sky’s Chennedy Carter, Angel Reese address Caitlin Clark foul
Chicago Sky’s Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese on Monday spoke about the flagrant foul against Caitlin Clark.
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky fined after loss to Indiana Fever
The Chicago Sky and rookie Angel Reese were fined after Saturday’s loss to the Indiana Fever.
Reese was fined $1,000 for failing to make herself available for interviews after the team’s 71-70 loss.
Reese recorded 8 points and 13 rebounds in her first professional game against the top overall pick, Caitlin Clark. Clark had 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Mystery surrounds missing man found dead on Chicago’s South Side
Police launched a homicide investigation after finding the body of a missing man Tuesday night in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Body of missing Chicago man found in Back of the Yards, homicide investigation underway
Chicago police have launched a homicide investigation after finding the body of a missing man in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
The 47-year-old man was found unresponsive on Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. in a basement apartment in the 5300 block of South Hermitage Avenue, according to police.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Oscar Valenzuela.
His mother, Aida Lemos, said she’s been searching for her son for six months after he was in an abusive relationship and was previously living with his partner.
‘They on to you’: Dolton meeting with Mayor Tiffany Henyard, Lori Lightfoot turns to chaos
It was one of the most chaotic meetings in Dolton we have seen. Police had to stop it from getting physical.
‘Put cuffs on you’: Dolton meeting with Mayor Tiffany Henyard, Lori Lightfoot turns to chaos
A hastily called Dolton village meeting ended in chaos as opponents and supporters of controversial Mayor Tiffany Henyard almost came to blows on Monday.
Police had to break up the skirmish as Henyard and trustees cleared the room. The altercation happened immediately after trustees voted 4-2 to reinstate former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s investigation into Henyard’s activities, overriding Henyard’s veto.
“We will not let anyone stop us or obstruct our ability to get to the facts,” Lightfoot said almost inaudibly as Henyard and trustees made several attempts to talk over her.
OSHA investigating fatal scaffolding accident
A construction worker who was in critical condition after falling from a scaffolding while working on a project on the South Side is expected to make a full recovery.
South Side construction accident: Critically injured worker expected to fully recover, one fatality reported
A construction worker who was in critical condition after falling from a scaffolding while working on a project on the South Side is expected to make a full recovery.
New Horizon Steel, the company that employs the injured worker, said Friday that he is now in stable condition.
The worker who died, identified as 27-year-old David O’Donnell, of Oak Forest, was employed by another contractor.
Illinois
20-year-old motorcyclist killed in crash in Oswego, Illinois, police say
Police are investigating after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash in suburban Oswego on Saturday afternoon.
Officers responded to the 4000 block of Route 34 near Wolf Road for the crash around 1:42 p.m. The motorcyclist was unconscious and was receiving CPR when officers arrived.
They took over medical care until paramedics arrived and took the victim, identified as a 20-year-old man, to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending an autopsy scheduled for Monday, police said.
Initial reports say the victim was traveling eastbound on Route 34 when he hit an enclosed trailer being towed by a van. According to the police, the van was also traveling eastbound and was attempting to make a right turn into a driveway when the crash occurred.
The driver and passenger in the van were not hurt, police said.
Route 34 was closed between Wolf Road and Boulder Hill Pass for four hours for crash reconstruction.
The crash remains under investigation pending completion of the traffic crash reconstruction report.
Illinois
Man arrested after barricading himself inside vape shop in Des Plaines, Illinois, police say
A man was arrested after police say he barricaded himself inside a business in Des Plaines on Saturday morning.
The incident happened just before 9 a.m. in the 1500 block of Rand Road.
Des Plaines police said officers responded to Vortex Vapes, located inside a strip mall in the 1500 block of Rand Road, just before 9 a.m. for a report of a suspect, a 26-year-old man from Des Plaines, armed with a box cutter, who confronted the shop employee.
The employee was able to escape the business, but the suspect stayed and barricaded himself inside, police said.
The Tactical Response Team responded to the business and arrested the suspect, who surrendered without incident.
The business was closed for about four hours. Police said the area is now safe for travel, and the business has since reopened.
This incident is still under investigation. Des Plaines police said they will provide additional information once it becomes available.
Illinois
Illinois High School Football Coach Arrested Months After Investigation Opened
An Illinois high school football assistant coach has been arrested on criminal sexual abuse charges.
High School on SI previously reported that John “Jake” Wakey had been placed on leave and was being investigated after the FBI received a tip accusing an employee of inappropriate sexual conduct involving a former student over a year ago.
From that tip, investigators confirmed that at least eight students from 2013 to 2015 were abused by Wakey, according to a report by Capitol News Illinois. Thursday, he was arrested and charged with nine Class 2 felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Illinois Assistant Football Coach Was Investigated By FBI, Local Law Enforcement
The charges involve victims aged 13-to-17 by a person in a position of trust during the 2013, 2014 and 2015 school years. Four former students provided statements to Williamson County detectives, with eight total potential victims being connected to the investigation.
“Of those eight identifiable victims, four individuals have presently memorialized the facts of their experiences on the records with investigators, which ultimately formed the basis for the charges announced,” Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich said during a press conference. “In cases involving criminal sexual abuse, it frequently requires a victim-survivor to come forward, disclose what occurred and allow investigators to memorialize those facts for prosecution.
“For many victims, that process can take months or even years, as appears to have occurred in this investigation.”
It was also reported that the offenses involved members of the Carterville High School football team, where Wakey served as an assistant coach.
John “Jake” Wakey Has Previously Been In Trouble As Teacher, Coach
Wakey was placed on paid administrative leave back in February 2026 once the school district received word that he was involved in an investigation. He had worked for the Carterville School District since 2003 as both a teacher and as an assistant football coach.
Previously, Wakey had been suspended for 10 days in 2009 after being accused of inappropriately texting students, allowing students at his home and drinking in front of students. He was not charged at the time. He also received a misdemeanor conviction for providing liquor to minors in 2003 before joining Carterville.
“The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is aware of longstanding community concerns, suspicions, rumors and allegations involving inappropriate conduct, including allegations related to alcohol, student-teacher contact and the sharing of images involving students and/or faculty members,” Diederich said.
Wakey is set to be held at the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office after being transferred from the Livingston County Jail. The Carterville Board of Education is expected to hold a special meeting to take action on the “discipline and/or dismissal of a licensed employee of the District.”
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