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By Madeline Buckley and Sam Charles
Chicago Tribune
A judge has barred the release of video and other materials related to the investigation into the friendly fire shooting death of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera, a move that came after the Cook County state's attorney's office asked that the information be shielded from public records requests.
Rivera, 36, a four-year veteran of the department, was mistakenly shot and killed by a fellow officer on June 5 after a confrontation with an armed suspect.
The tragic slaying of the officer, who will be laid to rest on Wednesday, happened amid long-brewing debates about the safety of foot pursuits and is sure to raise questions about training and officer safety in general.
But the court order, signed June 13 by Judge Deidre Dyer, delays the public's access to critical information about the matter, even though long-held public policy since the 2014 fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald favors timely access to video that can shed light on officer-involved shootings.
Though it's not uncommon for video to be restricted from public view while an investigation or prosecution is proceeding, legal experts and advocates for transparency raised concerns about the move, especially if such orders are being sought by the state and granted by judges without a thorough examination of balance between the integrity of the case and the public's right to know how their government is functioning.
Multiple legal experts noted that the motion, filed by the prosecutor's office on June 13, referenced federal exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act rather than the state's companion law that would govern it.
"There is a big picture concern that the default role of transparency is being flipped on its head whenever there is a criminal case," said Craig Futterman, a clinical professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School. "I have a fear that these motions are being filed and orders are being entered without a particularized interrogation that was envisioned under the FOIA statute."
Matt McGrath, a spokesman for the state's attorney's office, said in a statement that said the motion is standard in criminal cases.
"To clarify, the motion to shield body-worn camera footage in this case is standard and related to the ongoing criminal prosecution of two defendants charged with serious felony gun and narcotics possession offenses - neither of whom is a police officer," McGrath said in the statement. "In order to protect a criminal defendant's constitutional rights to due process, including the right to a fair trial, the law dictates how and when such evidence should be disseminated - and a judicial determination was made that complied with the law. Any comparison to past police-involved shootings is deeply misguided."
Requests for comment from the city were not returned by deadline.
Throughout the past decade, video from police body-worn cameras and other sources has become a critical check on official narratives about police shootings after the release of such material became policy following the murder of 17-year-old McDonald at the hands of former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke.
The dashcam video of the shooting captured Van Dyke, who served a little more than three years in prison, shooting the teenager 16 times as he walked away. The video contradicted the accounts of police and led to a rare murder charge against Van Dyke.
With the fight over the release of the dashcam video still fresh in the city's mind, the newly formulated Civilian Office of Police Accountability carried out a city policy to publish CPD body-worn camera footage and related police records within 60 days of a police shooting. The agency replaced the Independent Police Review Authority after the McDonald video was released in 2015.
The city's policy, though, has exceptions and cannot supersede a judge's order.
Experts said they believe the policy to release videos has rebuilt some public trust, but raised concerns about it backsliding if videos are routinely shielded by judges.
"We would be back to the days of pre-Laquan McDonald," said Matt Topic, a partner at the civil rights firm Loevy and Loevy who litigated for the release of the dashcam video of McDonald's shooting. "We would be back to not knowing if what police are telling us is true or not."
In a criminal case related to Rivera's death, Adrian Rucker, 25, is charged with armed violence and other felonies. Prosecutors alleged that Rucker pointed an AR-style pistol after Rivera and her partner followed another suspect into the apartment.
Prosecutors later charged a second man, Jaylin Arnold, 27.
In the motion to withhold release of the video and other materials filed in Rucker's case, Cook County prosecutors argued that the release could interfere with enforcement proceedings and a defendant's right to a fair trial.
Futterman pointed out that usually defense attorneys would be the party that makes arguments about their clients' due process rights.
The judge's order bars release until "further order of the court."
In a statement, a COPA spokesperson said: "The materials will be available under FOIA once the court order is lifted. Until then, COPA is prohibited from releasing them."
It's not clear, though, when and how the order may be lifted.
"Someone would have to incur the time and expense to vacate that order unless we think the state's attorney would move to vacate," Topic said.
Stephanie Holmes Didwania, an associate professor of law at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, said federal and state Freedom of Information laws have "a strong preference for disclosure."
"It's designed to allow the public to be adequately informed about what their government is doing," she said.
Holmes Didwania noted, though, that the laws have exceptions, and that law enforcement can have legitimate interests in keeping investigations confidential. She said prosecutors could be concerned about issues like the video shaping the accounts of witnesses who have yet to be interviewed.
"The statute itself is trying to balance these two competing interests," she said, though she added that Illinois' FOIA statute requires the government to provide clear and convincing evidence to support an exemption from the law.
Loren Jones, director of the Criminal Legal Systems Program at Impact for Equity, said that the government should be held to a high standard in overcoming public access laws related to police shootings.
"When there is a case that is as complicated and tragic as this case, I think the standard for the balance that we have to take into account here and overcome is really high," she said. "It's important to keep our foot on the pedal as far as ensuring that — our government is being transparent as possible in these situations."
"When there is a case that is as complicated and tragic as this case, I think the standard for the balance that we have to take into account here and overcome is really high. It's important to keep our foot on the pedal as far as ensuring that ? our government is being transparent as possible in these situations."
- Loren Jones, director of the Criminal Legal Systems Program at Impact for Equity, Rivera
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 25, 2026 Contact Information: Betsy McCloskey/Plaid Swan Inc. (563) 513-9499 betsy@plaidswan.com
Elgin, IL and Santa Rosa, CA — Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) and North Bay Credit Union (NBCU) announced today that their merger will become effective March 1, 2026. Together, the two organizations have formed a stronger, more versatile, and community-driven financial institution serving members across the Midwest and Northern California. The merger reflects a partnership built on shared values: exceptional member service, deep community commitment, and a mutual vision for long-term sustainable growth. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring our organizations together in a way that amplifies what both credit unions do best,” said Stefanie Rupert, president & CEO of CAFCU. “North Bay has built something special; our teams are aligned in mission and mindset. By combining our strengths, innovative technology, personalized service, and strong community presence, we believe we can deliver even greater value for all members.” Based on the most recent financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, North Bay Credit Union reported just over $114 million in assets. The combined organization benefits from greater scale, expanded product offerings, enhanced digital capabilities, and increased operational efficiencies. This transaction was completed as an assisted merger, following extensive collaboration, regulatory coordination, due diligence, and thoughtful planning by leadership teams. “North Bay Credit Union has always centered its work around the needs of our local communities, and the decision to pursue this merger was made intentionally to elevate that commitment with long-term stability, resilience, and growth,” said Darlene Brown, interim CEO of North Bay Credit Union. “Partnering with CAFCU allows us to strengthen our foundation, expand our reach, and enhance the services we can provide while staying rooted in our mission. Through Greenbax Marketplace, we also bring a unique and compliant line of business that complements CAFCU’s offerings. Both organizations are stronger together, and we look forward to what this new chapter will bring.” CAFCU’s continued expansion strengthens its presence in California while reinforcing its long-standing commitment to sustainable growth and community-focused service. Both institutions emphasized that the merger is the result of extensive collaboration and careful planning designed to ensure a seamless transition for members and employees. “This partnership reflects a shared belief in building a stronger future for our members, our teams, and the communities we proudly serve,” the organizations said in a joint statement. About Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) Corporate American Family Credit Union (CAFCU) is a long-standing, member-focused credit union headquartered in Elgin, IL. Built on decades of trust, service, and community commitment, CAFCU continues to expand its reach and capabilities through strategic growth initiatives. CAFCU remains dedicated to strengthening members’ financial well-being through accessible products, personalized service, and a people first philosophy. About North Bay Credit Union (NBCU) Founded in 1948, North Bay Credit Union has grown into a trusted community financial institution with just over $114 million in assets as of December 31, 2025. NBCU remains committed to empowering individuals, families, and local businesses with accessible, people-first financial solutions rooted in local common bonds and community values. NBCU offers compliant cannabis banking services and payment solutions through its subsidiary, Greenbax Marketplace.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 17, 2026 Contact Information: Katie Lewis (217) 525-8012 katie@ioaweb.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2026 Media Contact Information: Carrie Skogsberg carrie.skogsberg@countryfinancial.com
COUNTRY Financial and the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) are providing an opportunity for local high schools to win $5,000 to benefit their athletic department and student athletes through the “Sport Your School Giveaway.” Individuals can enter their school to win through May 30, 2026. This is the second time COUNTRY has held the Sport Your School Giveaway. Staunton High School was the winner of the first giveaway, which ran during the first half of the 2025-2026 school year. COUNTRY has been a sponsor of the IHSA for more than 50 years and is the presenting sponsor for 40 IHSA state championships for various high school sports throughout the 2025-2026 school year. “COUNTRY has a highly valued, longstanding relationship with the IHSA,” said Nikki Johnson, vice president of marketing at COUNTRY. “Schools are the lifeblood of our communities, and we are proud to be part of bringing championship opportunities to students and communities throughout the state.” Learn more and enter your school to win. Learn more about the partnership between COUNTRY and the IHSA.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2026 Media Contact Information: Bob Hubberts (847) 508-4995 bhubberts@firstillinoisrobotics.org
Chicago, Illinois – Creativity and science will come together this Saturday at the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge Illinois State Championship at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Illinois, where 56 teams of 9- to 14-year-old students and coaches will demonstrate their problem-solving skills, creative thinking, teamwork, competitive play, sportsmanship, and sense of community. The tournament is open to the public. The robot table competition portion of the event starts at Noon on Saturday, February 14th. More than 650,000 students in over 75 countries will participate in the FIRST® UNEARTHED season. Teams will have to program robots, using LEGO Education technology, to solve a set of missions on an obstacle course set on a thematic playing surface. For the UNEARTHED challenge students will unearth hidden treasures and piece together the past as they embark on this thrilling journey of discovery. Students will identify and research a problem related to the season theme and then design and create a possible solution. They will also identify a mission strategy and design, create, and code a robot to complete missions during a 2.5-minute Robot Game. The competition is judged in three areas: innovation project; robot design, and core values, which embody aspects of teamwork and good sportsmanship. Top robot game scores are also honored. FIRST LEGO League is an international program for 9- to 14-year-olds (ages vary by country) created in a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group in 1998 to get students excited about science and technology – and teach them valuable career and life skills. Using LEGO® Education technologies and materials, students work alongside adult mentors to design, build, and program autonomous robots and create an innovative solution to a problem as part of their research project. After several intense weeks, the competition season culminates at high-energy, sports-like tournaments. Like any other organized “sport,” teams also fundraise, create a team identity, and go on field trips. The tournament is being run by FIRST Illinois Robotics, a 501 c3 organization focused on delivering FIRST programs in Illinois. Contact us for a list of the area schools and youth organizations with teams participating in the competition. About FIRST® FIRST® is a robotics community that prepares young people for the future through a suite of inclusive, team-based robotics programs for ages 4-18 (PreK-12) that can be facilitated in school, in structured after-school programs or by other organizations or groups of parents. Boosted by a global support system of volunteers, educators, and sponsors that include over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies, teams operate under a signature set of FIRST Core Values to conduct research, fundraise, design, build, and showcase their achievements during annual challenges. An international not-for-profit organization founded in 1989, FIRST has a proven impact on STEM learning, interest, and skill-building well beyond high school. Participants and alumni of FIRST programs gain access to education and career discovery opportunities, connections to exclusive scholarships and employers, and a place in the FIRST community for life. Learn more at firstinspires.org.
### To learn more about FIRST programs in Illinois, go to www.firstillinoisrobotics.org.
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