Katy Smyser

2 months ago | nbcchicago.com | Bennett Haeberle |Nathan Halder |Katy Smyser

Drive into the suburbs west on I-290, then a few miles north on Illinois Highway 53, and you’ll eventually pass a small yellow sign saying “All traffic must exit” and then another sign saying “Freeway ends” and – finally – a long left-hand curve, and – boom – no more expressway. To the north – where it seems like the expressway should have continued – is, instead, a wide swath of unoccupied land.

Jan 14, 2025 | nbcchicago.com | Lucia Walinchus |Katy Smyser |Joe Murphy

Less than 4% of reported rapes, sexual assaults, and child sex abuse allegations in certain cities across the United States ever result in a sex crime conviction, an NBC News investigation found.

Jan 14, 2025 | nbcnewyork.com | Lucia Walinchus |Katy Smyser |Joe Murphy

Less than 4% of reported rapes, sexual assaults, and child sex abuse allegations in certain cities across the United States ever result in a sex crime conviction, an NBC News investigation found.

Nov 13, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Bennett Haeberle |Lisa Capitanini |Katy Smyser

CHICAGO - An Illinois law designed to ensure victims of sexual assault receive proper care inside hospitals also includes a carve out that allows patients to be transferred if the hospital determines it can't provide services like rape kit exams. Advocates argue this can disrupt the chain of custody for things like evidence collection and creates a chilling effect where victims may decide to not to travel further to get a rape exam.

Jun 18, 2024 | nbcchicago.com | Bennett Haeberle |Lisa Capitanini |Katy Smyser

The latest figures from the City of Chicago’s spending dashboard shows the city has spent more than $400 million over the past two years on migrants – with the bulk of that money going to private companies that helped forge lease agreements or provided staffing for migrants shelters. Since August of 2022, more than 42,000 migrants have made their way to Chicago.