The Latest Breaking News from Van Dyke

CHICAGO — Just after midnight Thursday, as the wind blew whirls of snow around a remote downstate prison, one of Illinois’ highest-profile prisoners walked out of custody under the cover of darkness.

The protesters who were detained were among a larger group who delivered a letter to U.S. Attorney John Lausch demanding federal civil rights charges against the former officer, who was released from state custody hours earlier.

Ex-Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke was released from custody Thursday morning after serving more than three years in prison for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke served under half...

Ex-Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke was released from custody Thursday morning after serving more than three years in prison for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald.

CHICAGO — Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was released from state prison Thursday after serving a little more than three years behind bars for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald, a shooting that roiled the city and has left a mixed legacy of reform.

CHICAGO — Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is expected to be out of prison Thursday after serving a little more than three years behind bars for the 2014 murder of Laquan McDonald, a shooting that roiled the city and has left a mixed legacy of reform.

The imminent release from prison of the former Chicago police officer who shot Laquan McDonald 16 times in 2014, killing the Black teenager, is a reminder for some of what they say is an unfair criminal justice system

The pace of reform has been glacial. If you ask residents of communities who felt most affected by McDonald’s shooting — in particular, the Black community — how much would they say things have changed since the night he was shot?

On the day of his release from prison for the murder of Laquan McDonald, activists are calling for federal charges that could send Jason Van Dyke back to prison.