98-612: On January 29, 2019, American actor Jussie Smollett approached the Chicago Police Department and reported a hate crime that he had staged earlier that morning. He planned the fake hate crime with two Nigerian-American brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who had worked as extras on the set of television drama Empire , in which Smollett was a cast member. During the staged attack, which took place on East Lower North Water Street in Chicago 's Streeterville neighborhood,
196-486: A DUI stop in which he gave police a false name pretending to be his brother. Smollett also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid driver's license and was sentenced to a fine and three years of probation. Streeterville Streeterville is a neighborhood in the Near North Side community area of Chicago, Illinois , United States, north of
294-464: A MAGA hat, which the store did not sell. Chicago Police contacted Smollett's attorney for additional questioning. On February 19, 2019, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx said that she was recusing herself from the investigation due to her "familiarity with potential witnesses in the case", prompting criticism from her predecessor, Anita Alvarez . Foxx delegated the case to a subordinate. Foxx later acknowledged that she had been in contact with
392-864: A National Historic Landmark , the Jean Baptiste Point Du Sable Homesite , the home of the first non-Native, husband of a Native woman, in Chicago. Properties in the neighborhood listed in the National Register of Historic Places include 257 East Delaware , the 860-880 Lake Shore Drive Apartments , the Drake Hotel , the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago , the Navy Pier and the Palmolive Building . Other Chicago Landmarks in
490-475: A "dress rehearsal" to devise the fake crime. During his testimony, Smollett claimed, for the first time, that he had engaged in a "sexual relationship" with Abimbola Osundairo, one of the two brothers he hired to stage the attack. However, during his testimony, Osundairo insisted that he is not gay. Ola Osundairo, who Smollett claimed is homophobic, took the stand to present evidence that he gets paid to be involved in homosexual activities, such as being employed at
588-502: A $ 10,000 bond, and Smollett was released from custody on February 21. Smollett was required to surrender his passport . On March 8, Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts of "false report of offense" related to the incident. In March 2019, the New York Post reported that Tina Tchen , a Chicago attorney who served as former First Lady Michelle Obama 's chief of staff , had contacted Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx about
686-439: A bar as a bouncer and modeling at pride parades . On December 9, 2021, the jury found Smollett guilty on five of the six counts of felony disorderly conduct. In late February 2022, one of Smollett's attorneys moved for the verdict to be vacated, claiming that Smollett's rights were violated when his attorneys were prevented from actively participating in jury selection, and that the court had made various errors before and during
784-562: A fake hate crime and reported it to the Chicago Police Department as a real hate crime, or the jury's unanimous verdict that Mr. Smollett was guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct. In fact, Mr. Smollett did not even challenge the sufficiency of the evidence against him in his appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court." On January 22, 2019, a letter arrived at the Chicago studio of Smollett's employer. The letter
882-478: A federal anti-lynching bill co-sponsored by him and Harris. In an interview with April Ryan of AURN , President Donald Trump was asked about Smollett being attacked and said, "I think that's horrible. It doesn't get worse." Smollett faced skepticism regarding his claim of being attacked; he responded by saying that he believed that, if he had said his attackers were Mexicans, Muslims, or black people, "the doubters would have supported me much more ... And that says
980-403: A finding of guilt or innocence." Magats made a statement saying that the decision was not an exoneration of Smollett's: "We stand behind the investigation, we stand behind the decision to charge him [...] The fact that [Smollett] feels that we have exonerated him, we have not. I can't make it any clearer than that." Then- Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel strongly criticized the decision, saying it
1078-502: A judge rejected Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of double jeopardy . His trial began in November 2021, and on December 9 Smollett was found guilty of five of the six counts. On March 10, 2022, he was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail and two and a half years on probation. Smollett was also ordered to make restitution to the city of Chicago of just over $ 120,000 and fined $ 25,000. His lawyers filed
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#17328838103211176-548: A lot about the place that we are in our country right now." On February 13, 2019, Chicago police raided the home of two " persons of interest " in the case. The men, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, were brothers of Nigerian descent who'd acted as extras on Empire , the television series in which Smollett was a main cast member. Police recovered bleach and other items from the home. The brothers were held in police custody on suspicion of battery but were not charged. According to their attorney, they knew Smollett from working on
1274-526: A member of Smollett's family about the case at an early stage when he was thought to have been a crime victim. Foxx added that Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson had reached out to the FBI about handing the Smollett case off to them, but had informed her that the agency was not interested. Foxx's office later asserted that she had not formally recused herself from the case; doing so would have required her to ask
1372-406: A mistrial. During the 2021 trial, the prosecution revealed video footage of Smollett and the two "attackers" in a car a few days before the attack. When questioned, Smollett testified that he had arranged to work out with Abimbola Osundairo but cancelled the workout when Olabinjo Osundairo had shown up uninvited. Prosecutor Webb argued, in opening statements, that this was evidence of the group holding
1470-445: A new tower at InterContinental Chicago and 500 North Lake Shore. Streeterville hosts several landmarks and places that have been designated as historic districts. The East Lake Shore Drive Historic District , which consists of a row of early 20th century luxury apartments, sits on the northern edge of the district opposite Lake Michigan. The Old Chicago Water Tower District is located along Michigan Avenue where Streeterville meets
1568-441: A notice of appeal the following day. On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered that Smollett be released from jail, upon his posting of a $ 150,000 personal recognizance bond, pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction. On March 1, 2023, Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction in his hate crime hoax. The court, on December 1, 2023, upheld
1666-653: A recording contract with Columbia Records and would be releasing an album in the future. Smollett co-wrote the songs "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful" on the Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire album, which was released in March 2015. In June 2015, it was announced that Smollett would guest-star alongside his younger sister Jurnee in Underground , which aired in 2016. Smollett released his debut album, Sum of My Music , in March 2018. Sum of My Music
1764-476: A statement: "We've got a lot of things on our plate, a lot of pressing issues that are truly affecting people's lives. This doesn't rank as a matter of any importance to me." On August 23, 2019, former United States Attorney Dan K. Webb was assigned as special prosecutor to review Jussie Smollett's case and the events leading to the charges being dropped. Webb was tasked with reviewing the original case and charges surrounding Smollett's claim of being attacked. He
1862-462: A tryst with a female character, Smollett defended the plot development by stating that he and Empire ' s co-creator Lee Daniels were trying to create a conversation about sexual fluidity in the gay community. While Daniels and Smollett are gay, Daniels has stated that they occasionally want to have sex with women. In 2007, Smollett pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts providing false information to law enforcement resulting from
1960-606: Is African-American, and his father is Jewish. He has said that his father would "kill you if you called him white ". His father was absent from his life for a significant portion of his childhood. The family moved to the Elmhurst neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens when he was two years old, then to Los Angeles when he was about seven. Smollett graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey . When he
2058-455: Is an R&B album that features elements of electronic music and hip hop . Smollett self-released it through his own label, Music of Sound. On April 30, 2019, Fox Entertainment announced that though Smollett's contract had been extended for the sixth season of Empire , there were no plans for his character to appear during it. Smollett directed B-Boy Blues , a movie based on the 1994 black gay novel by James Earl Hardy . The movie
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#17328838103212156-460: Is located in Streeterville and construction of a replacement facility, also in Streeterville, was begun in 2013. The Northwestern University School of Professional Studies and part of its Kellogg School of Management are nearby. The Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law is at Chicago Avenue and Lake Shore Drive , adjacent to Lake Shore Park and Lake Michigan . In the western end of
2254-719: Is on the Chicago campus and is adjacent to several closely affiliated hospitals, including Northwestern Memorial Hospital , the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago , the Prentice Women's Hospital , and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago . The Prentice Women's Hospital opened in October 2007, and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago opened in June 2012. The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
2352-608: The Chicago 'L' has stops at Chicago and Grand stations on the Red Line , which runs along State Street immediately to the west of the neighborhood. From the Kennedy Expressway the Ohio Street exit feeds into Streeterville. Numerous Chicago Transit Authority bus routes run within the neighborhood, notably along Michigan Avenue, Grand Avenue, and Chicago Avenue. During warm-weather months, water taxis and sightseeing boats ply
2450-616: The Chicago River . It is bounded by the river on the south, the Magnificent Mile portion of Michigan Avenue on the west, and Lake Michigan on the north and east, according to most sources, although the city of Chicago recognizes only a small portion of this region as Streeterville. Thus, it can be described as the Magnificent Mile plus all land east of it. The tourist attraction of Navy Pier and Ohio Street Beach extend out into
2548-461: The Circuit Court of Cook County for $ 130,000 plus $ 1,000 for each false statement he made to the city, plus three times the city's damages. On October 22, federal judge Virginia Kendall denied a motion for dismissal on the theory that Smollett could not have predicted the level of expenses that his false report would induce the police to incur. In November 2019, Smollett countersued , alleging he
2646-489: The East Lake Shore Drive Historic District , and elaborate hotels. The Bridge connected to a North Michigan avenue that served as a replacement for the former Pine Street which hosted warehouses and factory buildings near the river, and large mansions and rowhouses in northward sections in the neighborhoods of McCormickville and Streeterville. Magnificent Mile architecture during the economic boom of
2744-460: The Fox drama series Empire . His role was hailed as groundbreaking for its positive depiction of a black gay man on television. Smollett reprised his role in subsequent seasons and directed an episode of the fourth season in 2017. Smollett's character was removed from the final two episodes of season five because of the assault controversy. In February 2015, Smollett confirmed that he had signed
2842-520: The Fox drama series Empire . In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime, but police later determined he staged the attack with two acquaintances . Initially charged with filing a false police report, charges were dropped after Smollett completed community service and forfeited $ 10,000. In 2020, a special prosecutor re-indicted him and Smollett was convicted on five counts in December 2021. Sentenced to jail in March 2022, which
2940-453: The 1920s emphasized historicist architectural styles such as Beaux-Arts classicism , Gothic revival , and vertical-style modernism . The buildings redefined the Chicago skyline with stylistic variation that gave new meaning to urban context and design compatibility. A post-World War II construction surge occurred in the area, and in the 1950s the city pursued a plan of urban renewal. A local real estate developer named Arthur Rubloff led
3038-433: The Chicago Police Department's Central Booking station; shortly thereafter, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated that Smollett "is under arrest and in the custody of detectives". Guglielmi also said that Smollett was named as a suspect in a criminal investigation for filing a fake police report, under a class 4 felony. Later that day, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie T. Johnson held a press conference , gave details of
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3136-606: The Chicago River along the south edge of the neighborhood and Navy Pier handles similar Lake Michigan water traffic. The Streeterville neighborhood also contains many healthcare facilities that are based around the Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine . Feinberg's main hospital is the Northwestern Memorial Hospital with a variety of specialty hospitals also in the neighborhood including
3234-399: The Chicago River had a split personality for much of the 20th century - the northern portion upscale residential, retail, and university uses and the area near the Chicago River and Navy Pier dedicated to shipping and factories. At the end of the 1960s, however, residential complexes such as Lake Point Tower (1965) and McClurg Court Center (1971) began to appear among the warehouses and by
3332-516: The Osundairo brothers to prosecutors that Uche had spoken to them about the facts of the case in 2019, with the Osundairos later writing sworn affidavits to back up their claims. Uche has denied the allegations, saying he only met the Osundairos' mother and a family friend, and only to tell them he could not represent them because they already had representation. As of October 16, 2021, a judge had denied
3430-472: The Smollett case on February 1. Emails and text messages indicated that, on February 1, Foxx informed both Tchen and an unnamed Smollett relative that she had asked Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to request that the FBI take over the Smollett investigation. Foxx added that Johnson had agreed to make that request. On March 14, 2019, Smollett pled not guilty. On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped, with Judge Steven Watkins ordering
3528-499: The Supreme Court of Illinois overturned Smollett's conviction. The court agreed that Smollett's fifth amendment rights had been violated when he was prosecuted after reaching a plea deal. In response to the ruling, special prosecutor Dan Webb stated, "The ruling has nothing to do with Mr. Smollett's innocence. The Illinois Supreme Court did not find any error with the overwhelming evidence presented at trial that Mr. Smollett orchestrated
3626-493: The alleged hate crime. Following his arrest, many right-wing commentators and then-President Donald Trump denounced Smollett's actions and wondered if the Democratic politicians who supported Smollett would retract their comments. Ultimately, Democratic presidential candidates who supported Smollett backed off their prior comments and claimed that the hoax does a disservice to victims of real hate crimes. Commentators have compared
3724-482: The alleged incident to other racial hoaxes . Following Smollett's sentencing, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said, "The malicious and wholly fabricated claim made by Mr. Smollett resulted in over 1,500 hours of police work that cost the city over $ 130,000 in police overtime," and "The city feels vindicated in today's ruling that he is being held accountable and that we will appropriately receive restitution for his actions." On March 28, 2019, Chicago city attorneys under
3822-482: The assault. On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report . On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped. First Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Magats said the office reached a deal with Smollett's defense team in which prosecutors dropped the charges upon Smollett performing 16 hours of community service and forfeiting his $ 10,000 bond . On April 12, 2019,
3920-453: The attack near a surveillance camera so that video of it could be publicized. On February 13, 2019, Chicago police raided the home of the Osundairo brothers and found records indicating they had been paid $ 3,500 by Smollett. They had purchased the rope found around Smollett's neck at a hardware store in Ravenswood over the weekend of January 25, and were also seen in security camera footage in
4018-399: The attack. Smollett was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital . Not seriously injured, he was released "in good condition" later that morning. The police had been called after 2:30 a.m. by Gatson, which infuriated the actor because he did not want to involve law enforcement. When they arrived around 2:40 a.m., Smollett had a white rope around his neck. He later admitted removing
Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax - Misplaced Pages Continue
4116-601: The border of the River North and Gold Coast (Chicago) neighborhoods at Chicago Avenue . The Water Tower District contains the only public buildings that survived the 1871 Great Chicago Fire . Also, part of the Michigan–Wacker Historic District lies within Streeterville at the southern end of the Magnificent Mile and contains numerous high rises and skyscrapers built in the 1920s. The neighborhood hosts several individual landmarks. The neighborhood hosts
4214-399: The city of Chicago filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Smollett for the costs, totaling $ 130,105.15, of overtime authorities expended investigating the hoax. In November 2019, Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago alleging he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm" and arguing he should not be made to reimburse the city for the cost of
4312-411: The city of Chicago sued Smollett for the $ 130,000 cost of the investigation. In November, he countersued, alleging he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm". On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor was completed, Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts pertaining to making four false police reports. In December 2021, Smollett
4410-410: The claims of the wealthy shoreline owners. Contractor Hank Brusser told the court that Streeter asked him to fill in portions of the shoreline in order to create confusion over land titles. According to Brusser, Streeter said that: "They [the owners of the shoreline] will have to buy us off" and that "We'll get a million out of it". Streeter was also motivated by the profit he gained by selling and taxing
4508-472: The clothing store where they bought gloves, ski masks , and a red hat that police said was used in the attack. On February 20, Smollett was indicted for disorderly conduct for paying the brothers to stage a fake hate crime and filing a false police report. His defense team reached a deal with prosecutors on March 26, 2019, in which all charges were dropped in return for Smollett performing community service and forfeiting his $ 10,000 bond. On April 12, 2019,
4606-413: The community, for grades K-8. Streeterville residents are zoned to Wells Community Academy High School . Any graduate from Ogden's 8th grade program may automatically move on to the 9th grade at Ogden, but students who did not graduate from Ogden's middle school must apply to the high school. Streeterville is accessible via Lake Shore Drive with multiple direct exits in both directions. In addition,
4704-444: The conviction. On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Smollett's conviction holding that retrying Smollett after he had paid $ 10,000 and served community service in exchange for dismissal of all charges violated Smollett's constitutional due process rights. Smollett publicly came out as gay during a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres in March 2015. When Smollett's gay character from Empire engaged in
4802-457: The court that Smollett's health and safety would be in danger while he was incarcerated, an assertion that prosecutors disputed. As of March 2022, the Osundairo brothers have not been charged for their alleged role in the hoax. In December 2021, during the second trial, Abimbola took to Instagram in a post apparently mocking Smollett's claims, by posting a picture of himself with a towel wrapped around his own neck and invited his audience to caption
4900-591: The court to appoint an outside attorney as a special prosecutor . Smollett hired crisis manager Chris Bastardi to represent him. On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report . Smollett's felony count charge in Illinois carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison. Smollett hired attorney Mark Geragos in addition to Chicago-based attorneys Todd Pugh and Victor Henderson to work on his legal defense. The next day, Smollett surrendered himself at
4998-452: The courtroom, during which he proclaimed his innocence. He also repeatedly shouted that he is "not suicidal". On March 16, 2022, a three-person Illinois appeals court consisting of Judges Thomas Hoffman, Joy Cunningham and Maureen Connors ordered, in a 2–1 decision, that Smollett be released from jail, upon his posting of a $ 150,000 personal recognizance bond, pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction. Hoffman and Cunningham signed
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#17328838103215096-422: The defense's request to dismiss the case. Jury selection for Smollett's trial took place on November 29, 2021. During the trial, Smollett's defense attorney accused the judge of attempting to attack her by physically lunging at her during a sidebar; another Smollett attorney has previously made accusations of the judge making faces and snarling throughout the trial. The judge denied the claim as well as her motion for
5194-536: The disguised brothers shouted racial and homophobic slurs while one poured bleach on Smollett and the other placed a noose around his neck. In addition to falsely reporting that he had been attacked by two unknown individuals, Smollett described one of them as a white male. He also told police the men shouted "This is MAGA country" during the attack, a reference to the Trumpist political slogan " Make America Great Again ". The brothers later testified that Smollett staged
5292-458: The early 21st century as numerous empty lots in Streeterville have been converted into commercial and residential properties, especially in the southern part of the neighborhood. The neighborhood had earlier experienced booms following World War I and World War II . Before the American settlement of the Chicago area, the lake shoreline fluctuated from year to year as storm waves eroded parts of
5390-417: The east of what is now Michigan Avenue . In 1834, after a number of failed attempts to cut through the sandbar at the mouth of the river, a 1,500-foot (457.2 m) pier was built to protect a channel cut through the bar. Silt and sand accumulated north of this pier, creating usable land that was later nicknamed "The Sands". Squatters and a vice district encroached on the district, causing angst among
5488-560: The end of the century, residential and retail dominated the entire area. The neighborhood now has a reputation as part of an upscale residential strip that balances the more industrial western portion of the Near North Side. In 2007, construction started on what would have been Chicago's tallest skyscraper, the Chicago Spire . It was to be located in the southeastern corner of the neighborhood, next to Lake Shore Drive . The Chicago Spire
5586-402: The guidance of then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson , sent Smollett a demand for $ 130,000 expended on the investigation, threatening Smollett with criminal prosecution; the demand also cited statute law under which Smollett could potentially be liable for up to three times the city's actual damages plus its legal expenses. On April 12, 2019, the city sued Smollett in
5684-769: The image, geo-tagging the image to Boystown , one of the largest LGBT communities in the Midwestern United States. On March 1, 2023, Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction in his hate crime hoax. On December 1, 2023, the Illinois Appellate Court affirmed the conviction. On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Smollett's conviction holding that retrying Smollett after he had paid $ 10,000 and served community service in exchange for dismissal of all charges violated Smollett's constitutional due process rights. Smollett's character
5782-401: The incident "wrapped a rope around the victim's neck". Smollett said that he fought them off. There were surveillance cameras at the location that Smollett assumed had captured the incident, but, as it turned out, they were facing in the wrong direction. A witness, an employee of NBC News Chicago, who was near the scene of Smollett's alleged incident and was exiting her car around the "corner from
5880-421: The investigation, and explained how the department concluded that the alleged assault was staged. The brothers, Abimbola "Bola" (also known as Abel) and Olabinjo "Ola" Osundairo, who say that they helped stage the attack, also said that Smollett came up with the idea to orchestrate the attack after the threatening letter that he received did not generate as much attention as he had hoped that it would. In addition to
5978-487: The investigation. After the charges were dropped, allegations of favoritism and leniency were made against the prosecutor, Kim Foxx . In June 2019, Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator. On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor was completed, Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct about making four false police reports. On June 12, 2020,
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#17328838103216076-684: The lake from southern Streeterville. To the north, the East Lake Shore Drive District , where the Drive curves around the shoreline, may be considered an extension of the Gold Coast . The majority of the land in this neighborhood is reclaimed sandbar . Named for George Streeter , the neighborhood contains a combination of hotels, restaurants, professional office centers, residential high rises, universities, medical facilities, and cultural venues. The area has undergone increased development in
6174-512: The lake front, which Streeter attempted to claim. Streeter claimed that this newly created land was his and that it was an independent territory which he called the District of Lake Michigan. For the next few decades, Streeter persisted in his claims, sometimes supporting them through criminal means. A witness in Streeter's 1902 land fraud trial testified that Streeter had purposely set out to contest
6272-451: The land he claimed. The local press became enamored with the story of Streeter's brash personality and his self-proclaimed district. Mayor William Hale Thompson tried to evict the Streeters for selling liquor, and after several eviction attempts and gun battles, Streeter landed in jail. In 1918, the courts ruled against his claim of sovereignty. Today, the district is home to some of
6370-462: The leading role in Patrik-Ian Polk 's LGBT -themed comedy-drama The Skinny . Also that year, he released an EP titled The Poisoned Hearts Club . He later guest-starred on The Mindy Project (2012) and Revenge (2014). In 2014, Smollett was cast as Jamal Lyon —a gay musician struggling to gain the approval of his father Lucious —opposite Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard in
6468-419: The letter. On January 30, 2019, public figures expressed support for Smollett on social media. Entertainment industry figures, including Shonda Rhimes and Viola Davis , tweeted their outrage over the attack and support for Smollett. Democratic senators and presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Cory Booker both described the attack as an attempted modern-day lynching . Booker urged Congress to pass
6566-472: The location," said that she heard nothing. According to Gloria Rodriguez, the lawyer for the assailants, Smollett first drove them to the spot where the attack was supposed to occur for a "dress rehearsal" and told them, "Here's a camera, there's a camera and here's where you are going to run away". The assailants explained that Smollett's plan was to post the footage on social media , and that he became very upset when police told him that no cameras had recorded
6664-522: The most expensive real estate in Chicago. The 1920 opening of the Michigan Avenue Bridge , which was part of the efforts to enact the Burnham Plan of 1909, as well as the economic boom of the 1920s, brought wealth to the eastern sector of the Near North Side and paved the way for a luxury shopping district on North Michigan Avenue. Investors built high-rise apartment buildings such as those in
6762-656: The neighborhood include Allerton Hotel , McGraw-Hill Building , Perkins, Fellows & Hamilton Office and Studio , Tribune Tower , and the Woman's Athletic Club . Notable buildings in the district include the skyscrapers on the Magnificent Mile: Non-Michigan Avenue skyscrapers in the neighborhood include the following: Some of the notable buildings in the district that have not been designated are Wrigley Building and Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago . The neighborhood hosts more than 25 hotels, including
6860-1019: The only three five star hotels in the Midwestern United States , the Ritz Carlton , The Peninsula Hotel , and the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago as well as the historic Drake Hotel. Two of these host the highest rated spas in Illinois. Qatar Airways operates an office in Suite 1310 at the John Hancock Center . Playboy Enterprises ' offices were on the 15th and 16th floors of 680 N. Lake Shore Drive until 2012. Several consulates are in Streeterville. Countries with consulates include Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria , Chile , Denmark , Greece , Japan , Lithuania , and Switzerland . Chicago Public Schools (CPS) operates public schools. Ogden International School serves
6958-411: The order, while Connors opposed it. The court's ruling explained that, if Smollett was not released pending appeal, it would be "unable to dispose of the instant appeal before the defendant would have served his entire sentence of incarceration". Under Illinois state law, Smollett was not required to post cash bond but must attend future hearings concerning his case. Smollett's attorneys also argued before
7056-628: The park is the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago . The downtown campus of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business has a Chicago River setting to the south. The east side of the Magnificent Mile portion of Michigan Avenue is part of Streeterville, as are Navy Pier , the most visited attraction in Chicago, and the John Hancock Observatory , the eighth-most visited attraction in Chicago. The area east of Michigan Avenue and north of
7154-422: The phone with his manager, Frank Gatson , at the time of the purported incident. He described one of the assailants as white, though both were black. They allegedly began to beat Smollett about the face, using their hands, feet, and teeth as weapons in the assault. According to a statement released by Chicago police, the two suspects then "poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim" and at some point during
7252-465: The property owners. In 1857, Chicago Mayor John Wentworth evicted these trespassers from the land. In the late 1880s, George Streeter claimed that his newly acquired boat struck a sandbar just off the Chicago shoreline during a storm. Landfill dumped in an effort to create land on which to build Lake Shore Drive by the Lincoln Park Board created 186 acres (0.75 km ) of new land along
7350-421: The public court file sealed . First Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Magats said the office reached a deal with Smollett's defense team in which prosecutors would drop the charges in exchange for Smollett performing 16 hours of community service and forfeiting his $ 10,000 bond . The Illinois Prosecutors Bar Association (IPBA) said that the dismissal was "highly unusual", and that the "manner in which this case
7448-411: The revitalization of North Michigan Avenue under the banner of “The Magnificent Mile ”. The success of this effort spurred the erection of more high-rise apartments and new investment in the Near North Side. This development led to the "canyonization" of Michigan Avenue, where the buildings on both sides of the street tower above, creating an " urban canyon ". While Streeterville is generally bounded on
7546-448: The rope and then putting it back on before the police arrived after Gatson told him to do so. Smollett said that the attack may have been motivated by his criticism of the Trump administration and that he believed that the alleged assault was linked to the threatening letter that had been sent to him earlier that month. The FBI would later investigate whether Smollett was involved in composing
7644-459: The rope around his neck, the original plan was to pour gasoline over him, but they decided to use bleach instead. Police alleged that the actor intended to further his career by tying the incident to racism in the United States and President Trump, and that Smollett sent himself the threatening letter. Judge John Fitzgerald Lyke Jr. set Smollett's bail at $ 100,000; a friend of the actor's paid
7742-470: The shore and built up the shore elsewhere. By 1803, when American troops started the construction of Fort Dearborn , a baymouth bar blocked the mouth of the river causing it to jog southwards and enter Lake Michigan at about the level of present-day Madison Street . When surveyed in 1821 the Lake Michigan shoreline north of the river ran approximately along what is now North Saint Clair Street, just to
7840-536: The show and had also spent time with him at a gym. The two men were released February 15 without being charged with a crime, with Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stating their release was "due to new evidence" from the interrogations. Chicago police later told ABC News : "Police are investigating whether the two individuals committed the attack—or whether the attack happened at all." On February 16, two unnamed police sources informed CNN that investigators had discovered evidence indicating that Smollett had paid
7938-506: The statements made by the State's Attorney and her representatives regarding the handling of the case as false or misleading. The National District Attorneys Association released a statement saying that a prosecutor should not take advice from politically connected friends of the accused and should not recuse herself without recusing the entire office, and noted that "a case with the consequential effects of Mr. Smollett's should not be resolved without
8036-518: The trial. On March 10, 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in county jail, and was also ordered to pay $ 120,106 in restitution for the overtime spent by Chicago police officers. During the sentencing hearing, which lasted more than five hours, Judge James B. Linn excoriated Smollett from the bench, repeatedly calling him "narcissistic, selfish, and arrogant". Linn also indicated that Smollett perjured himself during his trial testimony. After being sentenced, Smollett engaged in several outbursts in
8134-400: The two brothers $ 3,500 to stage the attack. Financial records indicate that the brothers purchased the rope found around Smollett's neck at a hardware store in Ravenswood over the weekend of January 25. They were seen in security camera footage in a clothing store where they bought the gloves, ski masks and a red hat that police said was used in the attack. The brothers asked specifically for
8232-616: The west by the Magnificent Mile, the city of Chicago and the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, claim the boundary extends one block further to the west to Rush Street . Streeterville includes some of Chicago's tallest skyscrapers , such as the John Hancock Center , and upscale stores, hotels, and restaurants. Although its main campus is in Evanston, Illinois , Northwestern University has its Chicago campus here . The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
8330-444: Was "a routine practice of lawyers" and that it should have "no effect on his ability to be fair and impartial". On December 6, 2019, a Cook County Circuit Court judge signed search warrants ordering Google to turn over Jussie Smollett's emails, photos, location data and private messages from November 2018 to November 2019, as part of the special prosecutor's investigation. Webb announced new charges on February 11, 2020. Smollett
8428-552: Was 19, Smollett told his parents he was gay. Smollett began his acting career as a child model in New York City and later worked as an extra on the New York-shot movies Mo' Better Blues (1990) and New Jack City (1991) He went on to act in the films The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner 's North (1994). On television, he starred alongside his five real-life siblings in the short-lived ABC sitcom On Our Own in 1994–1995. In 2012, Smollett returned to acting with
8526-509: Was a "whitewash of justice" and that "From top to bottom, this is not on the level." Police superintendent Johnson said that justice was not served. On March 27, 2019, the Chicago Police Department released the redacted police reports associated with the case. It was announced that the FBI is investigating why the charges were dismissed. The hearing to expunge Smollett's record was delayed on March 27. In April 2019, mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot said in
8624-464: Was addressed to Smollett and had a drawing depicting a stick figure hanging from a tree with a gun pointing towards it, as well as lettered magazine clippings reading "Smollett, Jussie you will die" and "MAGA". The letter also contained a white powder determined to be Tylenol . On January 29, Smollett announced that he had been attacked early that morning on the 300 block of East Lower North Water Street in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, in what
8722-495: Was also allowed to look into why Foxx had dropped all of the charges against Smollett. Shortly after being assigned as special prosecutor, possible conflicts of interest were raised after a $ 1,000 donation to Kim Foxx's campaign had surfaced. His work was put on hiatus as a hearing was called for to decide whether Webb should continue. In court, Judge Michael Toomin defended his appointment of Webb. The judge ruled Webb could continue to investigate as special prosecutor since his donation
8820-424: Was convicted on five felony counts. On March 10, 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in county jail and was ordered to pay $ 120,106 in restitution for the overtime spent by Chicago police officers investigating his false reports. Smollett's attorneys immediately filed an appeal and he was released, pending the outcome of his appeal, on March 16 after posting a personal recognizance bond. In November 2024,
8918-400: Was dismissed was abnormal and unfamiliar to those who practice law in criminal courthouses across the state. Prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges alike do not recognize the arrangement Mr. Smollett received. Even more problematic, the State's Attorney and her representatives have fundamentally misled the public on the law and circumstances surrounding the dismissal." It described several of
9016-447: Was indicted on six counts of felony disorderly conduct for lying to the police. According to the special prosecutor, Smollett "faces six felony counts of disorderly conduct stemming from four separate false reports that he gave to police." In March 2021, Smollett attempted to hire lawyer Nenye Uche to represent him, but prosecutors challenged the appointment with allegations of conflicts of interest. The allegations stem from claims made by
9114-403: Was initially investigated as a hate crime . Chicago police later alleged that Smollett himself was responsible for staging the attack. Smollett told police that, after getting food from a Subway restaurant around 2:00 a.m., he was attacked by two men, who were "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs" and who "poured an unknown chemical substance on [him]". Smollett said that he was on
9212-564: Was originally supposed to be completed in 2010, but was later cancelled. In the early 21st century, much of the southern part of the neighborhood that had previously contained warehouses and empty lots has undergone development, including the River East Center east of Columbus Drive . The River East Art Center serves as the primary retail hub apart from the Magnificent Mile. South Streeterville currently has numerous skyscrapers that are either proposed or already under construction such as
9310-432: Was released in November 2021. On January 29, 2019, Smollett told police that he was physically attacked outside his apartment building along with the use of racial and homophobic slurs. Smollett was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was released "in good condition" later that morning. A subsequent police investigation found that Smollett paid two work acquaintances, who were also brothers, to stage
9408-470: Was subsequently removed from the final two episodes of Empire 's fifth season . The studio stated on April 30, 2019, that "at this time there are no plans for the character of Jamal to return to Empire ." Fox announced that Empire would be canceled at the end of Season 6. Prior to his arrest, many prominent Democratic politicians, including Kamala Harris , Cory Booker , and Kirsten Gillibrand , quickly came out in support of Smollett and condemned
9506-517: Was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm". On April 23, 2019, the Osundairo brothers filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Smollett's legal team. Jussie Smollett Jussie Smollett ( / ˈ dʒ ʌ s i s m ə l ˈ ɛ t / , born June 21, 1982) is an American actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor in 1991 debuting in The Mighty Ducks (1992). From 2015 to 2019, Smollett portrayed musician Jamal Lyon in
9604-481: Was upheld on appeal in 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court later reversed the conviction in 2024 on the basis that Smollett had fulfilled the plea agreement made in 2019. Jussie Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California , to Joel and Janet (née Harris) Smollett. He has three brothers and two sisters: Jake , Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee , and Jazz, several of whom are also actors. Smollett is biracial and Jewish. His mother
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