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The father of the Chicago drill rapper whose album release party was targeted in a mass shooting in River North over the Fourth of July has been hit with federal weapons charges alleging he sold 13 guns to undercover informants over the course of two months, including several just days after the attack.
Melvin Doyle, 49, who has multiple felony convictions in his background, was arrested on Monday after he allegedly sold three pistols for $3,000, according to a criminal complaint brought this week in U.S. District Court.
Doyle is the father of Melanie Doyle, the drill rapper known as Mello Buckzz, according to a law enforcement source. A rising artist who recently collaborated with rap superstar G Herbo, she was hosting an album release party at a River North club on July 2 when a gunman from a passing vehicle fired into the crowd outside, killing four and wounding 14 others. No arrests have been made.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jason Meisner and Sam Charles.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how much of a rate increase Illinois homeowners who have State Farm insurance can expect, which alderman is leaving the City Council and what historic home hit the market yesterday for $15 million.
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Federal officers’ presence at Puerto Rican museum draws criticism, stokes deportation fears
The federal agents on the screen wore black as they entered the museum’s doors. One briefly spoke to a staff member before walking down the hallway and out of the camera’s view, leaving the employees at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture in Humboldt Park feeling targeted and intimidated.
“Our community is under attack. The Latino community, brown people, are being targeted by this administration,” said Ald. Gil Villegas, 36th, at a hastily arranged news conference yesterday with other community leaders and other elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, who believed the federal government was there for immigration enforcement purposes.
But the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents weren’t there for immigration reasons, said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. They were there to hold a briefing in the museum’s parking lot ahead of an operation related to a narcotics investigation.
State Farm to raise Illinois homeowners insurance rates by 27.2% in August
As Texas grapples with the massive flooding that struck Hill Country and killed at least 119 people during the July Fourth weekend, many Illinois homeowners will soon see their home insurance rates skyrocket due to the increase in such extreme weather events.
State Farm is raising homeowners insurance rates in Illinois by a whopping 27.2% beginning Aug. 15, according to a filing with the state last month. The rate hike, one of the largest in the state’s history, will affect nearly 1.5 million policyholders.
Ald. Walter Burnett to leave City Council, wants son to succeed and eyes CHA top spot
Vice Mayor Ald. Walter Burnett, Chicago’s longest-serving current alderman, plans to step down from the City Council at the end of this month, he told the Tribune.
Burnett, 27th, confirmed his exit, first reported by Block Club Chicago, yesterday as speculation mounts over Mayor Brandon Johnson tapping him to lead the Chicago Housing Authority. Johnson has not yet announced his choice for the next CEO of the CHA but on Tuesday praised Burnett, one of his most critical City Council allies.
Audit finds state agency fell short on social equity initiatives outlined in Gov. JB Pritzker’s landmark climate bill
Gov. JB Pritzker’s economic development agency fell short in implementing elements of the governor’s landmark climate bill aimed at ensuring social equity in the effort to move the state toward a carbon-free future, Illinois’ auditor general said in a report released this week.
Housing discrimination complaint remains active as Mayor Brandon Johnson delays finalizing agreement with HUD
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has delayed signing an agreement to resolve negotiations over a federal complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development related to aldermanic power on Chicago zoning, leaving in limbo a yearslong fight over allegations of housing discrimination by the City Council.
Commonly referred to as “aldermanic prerogative,” the veto power was challenged in a 2018 complaint filed by the Shriver Center on behalf of community organizations that alleged the practice promotes housing discrimination by keeping racial minorities from moving into affluent white neighborhoods. Following an agency investigation, HUD found the allegations to be true in 2023 and offered the parties an opportunity to work with the federal agency on informal settlement negotiations.
Kenilworth mansion listed for $15M, becoming the highest-priced listing in that village’s history
A historic six-bedroom Colonial Revival-style mansion on Lake Michigan in Kenilworth was listed yesterday for $15 million, making it the north suburban village’s highest-priced listing in history.
Field Museum study shows human impact on chipmunks and voles in Chicago
Chicago’s modern-day rodents have evolved to look quite different from how they did just a century ago — mostly because of human development, according to a new study by Field Museum researchers.
Novak Djokovic reaches a record 14th Wimbledon semifinal — and faces No. 1 Jannik Sinner next
Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semifinals for a men’s-record 14th time as he pursues his unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, quickly recovering from an awkward fall in the last game to beat Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 and set up a showdown against No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
4 questions for Chicago Bulls to answer in summer league, including where Noa Essengue will play
In the depths of the offseason, the NBA Summer League breathes some life back into the professional men’s basketball calendar with an 11-day sojourn to Las Vegas for a glimpse at the league’s future.
For the Chicago Bulls, the exhibition tournament is a crucial part of this year’s calendar ahead of a transitional season that will refocus the roster on its youngest players.
- Bulls grouped with defending champion Milwaukee Bucks in this year’s NBA Cup
- Today in Chicago History: Phil Jackson hired as Bulls head coach
City of Gary to host two-day Jackson 5 celebration in August
A new two-day celebration in August will celebrate the legacy of the Jackson 5 in Gary and remind the community that “world-changing talent” can rise from its own neighborhoods.