Good afternoon, Chicago.
Cook County prosecutors dropped charges today against an Oak Lawn police officer charged in connection with the violent arrest of a then 17-year-old Bridgeview teen in July 2022, according to court records.
Patrick O’Donnell was charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct for allegedly striking the teen more than 10 times as he was lying face down in the street during the arrest, which was captured on video.
O’Donnell has been with the department since December 2014 and pleaded not guilty to charges in March 2022 after being indicted that February.
Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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Chicago Board of Education meeting called, employment of CPS CEO Pedro Martinez on the agenda
Chicago Public Schools called a special board meeting Friday amid brewing tension over the schools chief Pedro Martinez’s employment status. Read more here.
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Chicagoan of the Year in Dance: Vershawn Sanders-Ward is still here, doing the thing
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