Sex offender passed Archdiocese's teacher background check
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: Legal experts are baffled over how a teacher — despite his 20-year history of child molestation allegations, charges and convictions — was hired to work for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
????️ Plus: Chicago's struggling indie music venues, Northwestern University's big stadium delay and more news you need to know.
???? Keeping score: The Bulls lost to the Bucks, 131-115.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ????️
Mostly sunny with a high near 27.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Teacher with child sex abuse record passed Chicago Archdiocese background check
By Kaitlin Washburn
How did it happen?: Legal experts are perplexed over how Brett J. Smith, a substitute teacher convicted of abusing children, passed a background check and worked as a substitute teacher for the Archdiocese of Chicago for more than a year.
Checks failed: Smith, 43, passed background and fingerprint checks despite allegations, charges and convictions going back more than 20 years across several states. The Illinois State Police's publicly accessible sex offender registry produced no search results for his name or aliases. An ISP spokesperson told the Sun-Times that the agency completed a criminal history check based on a fingerprint supplied by the archdiocese in 2024, but that "ISP is prohibited from sharing" the results.
His record: Smith — accused of sexually assaulting children in Cook County, DuPage County, Indiana and Arizona — had worked in at least four South Side and south suburban Catholic schools since 2024 before he was fired last month after the archdiocese learned of his criminal record, the superintendent of Catholic schools told parents. The Tinley Park resident was charged last week in Orland Park with aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a 9-year-old boy. A judge ordered Smith detained Friday.
No response: The archdiocese has not responded to a detailed list of the Sun-Times' questions about the church’s process in checking backgrounds.
Simple search: "I do not buy that this guy would have passed a legitimate background check," Chicago attorney Mike Leonard said, adding that someone with an extensive criminal history and stories about them would turn up in a simple Google search. Which is exactly how the 9-year-old boy's parents learned about Smith’s past before reporting him to authorities, according to Orland Park police.
IMMIGRATION ✶
Marimar Martinez goes to Washington
By Jon Seidel, Fran Spielman and Sophie Sherry
Calls for accountability: Marimar Martinez told members of Congress on Tuesday that she wants federal agents to be held accountable, to hear an apology after she was shot by U.S. Border Patrol, and for the Trump administration to acknowledge she is "not a domestic terrorist." The Chicago woman also repeated the name of Border Patrol agent Charles Exum, who shot her five times Oct. 4, calling him her "attempted executioner."
Key quote: "I am Renee Good. I am Alex Pretti. I am Silverio Villegas Gonzalez. I am Keith Porter," Martinez said, invoking the names of people who have been killed by immigration officers in the last few months. "I know that by being a survivor, it is my duty ... to let you elected officials know what is happening on the streets of our country."
Mayor on defense: Back in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson defended his decision to order Chicago police officers to document alleged abuses by federal immigration agents for potential felony prosecution, after the county’s top prosecutor questioned the plan’s "legality."
WATCH: MARTINEZ SITS DOWN FOR INTERVIEW ▶️
You can also listen to Martinez's interview with the Sun-Times and WBEZ here.
MUSIC ????
Only 1 in 4 of Chicago’s indie music venues is profitable
By Selena Fragassi
Tight times: Even as the city’s boutique venues are bringing in big crowds and top dollars, many are struggling to keep the lights on. That's according to "The State of Live," a newly released report by the Chicago Independent Venue League, which finds that nearly three out of four live entertainment venues currently are not profitable.
At issue: Businesses cite rising artist fees, higher taxes, and soaring labor and production costs as financial strains. CIVL’s report comes as the local entertainment sector faces an uncertain future while venues try to remain viable.
'Sobering portrayal': The report paints a "sobering portrayal" — in the words of one participant – of concert halls in 2026. According to Billy Helmkamp, founder and owner of Sleeping Village and The Whistler, some owners are taking out extra loans or forgoing their own salaries.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- Plan for life quality: Community leaders and residents have launched the South Chicago Quality of Life Plan as projects like the state’s quantum campus start to take shape. The plan identifies pillars to combat concerns including safety, vacant lots and youth education.
- Dangerous trend: Loyola Medicine is warning of a TikTok trend that left a 9-year-old Plainfield boy hospitalized with burns, the fourth such injury so far this year. The trend involves microwaving a Needoh cube, a popular sensory toy filled with gelatinous material.
- Remembering Brenda Langstraat Bui: The champion of literacy and education led the Chicago Public Library Foundation, which raises private funds for programs at city libraries. Mrs. Bui pushed for ending late fees and giving all CPS students library cards. She died Friday at age 52.
- Back for more: Local music festival Warm Love Cool Dreams returns to the Salt Shed for its second year, May 23-24, organizers said Tuesday. The fest will showcase Courtney Barnett, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Chicago bands Whitney and Tortoise, and more.
- 2.5 stars for ‘Stereophonic’: Fresh from Broadway, "Stereophonic" enthralls with music, but sinks under weighty dialogue, writes Catey Sullivan in a review for the Sun-Times.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ????️????????????
- Ryan Field opening delayed: Northwestern’s promised "premium for everyone" fan experience at the new Ryan Field, the $862 million stadium project under construction since mid-2024, will have to wait until October.
- Bulls’ big trades: The Bulls traded Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons, and sent Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, getting back Mike Conley Jr. from the Timberwolves and Jaden Ivey from the Pistons.
- Chicago roots: Nazareth Academy's Julian Love, now a star safety for the Seahawks, says he will have Chicago on his mind at Super Bowl LX.
- Rinzel’s technique: Blackhawks rookie Sam Rinzel is learning how to use brainpower to overcome his lack of physical power.
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 1D: Chicago common ___ (building material that is now a highly desirable collector's item)
BRIGHT ONE ????
Chicago’s Black Restaurant Week returns
By Erica Thompson
With more Black-owned restaurants opening, and the variety of cuisines increasing from fast casual and BBQ joints to steakhouses and fine dining, this year’s Chicago Black Restaurant Week features nearly 40 eateries highlighting that growth.
From Sunday to Feb. 22, participating restaurants will offer specials that typically include an appetizer, entree and dessert for a fixed price.
Chicago Black Restaurant Week has financially boosted businesses, some of which sell out of food in the first few days, according to founder Lauran Smith. Customers have even started traveling from out of town to participate.
"People really do see the value," she said. "They look forward to it. Schools are now making field trips to some of these Black businesses ... for Black History Month."
This year, Smith says she is seeing more Black-owned restaurants open on the West Side and in the south suburbs.
"We’ve got steakhouses now," she said. "We have Michelin stars. I’m seeing a lot of new types of restaurants."
DAILY QUESTION ☕️
What's your favorite music venue in Chicago? Tell us why.
Email your answer here. (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.
PICTURE CHICAGO ????
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Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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