Here's what happened in those cases:
Jussie Smollett, 36
Police alleged that Smollett falsely reported being beaten, doused with bleach, and wrapped in a noose by two masked white men who yelled anti-black, anti-gay slurs while announcing “this is MA-GA country.” Associates of Smollett, a TV actor, leaked the story to a well-known gossip website within 10 hours, which put a spotlight on the matter. The ensuing police investigation lasted three weeks and involved the work of at least 12 full-time detectives, according to CPD. Smollett maintains his innocence.
Days to resolution: 33
Outcome: Unknown. Court file was sealed immediately. Smollett did not plead guilty to any crime. Prosecutors said he agreed to give his $10,000 deposit bond to the city of Chicago. There is conflicting information about whether or not approximately 16 hours spent at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition on March 23rd and 25th was community service and further confusion about whether that possible service was part of the case resolution.
Cases where individuals were charged with a single misdemeanor charge of a similar crime: filing a false report to a public safety agency (720 ILCS 5.0/26-1-A-5). The following cases involve individuals with no prior adult arrests in Cook County who were charged with only one misdemeanor (not felony) count of false report to a public safety agency.
Even when individuals are acquitted of crimes, the court record remains accessible to the public until the individual seeks expungement—a 60- to 120-day process that entities such as the Chicago Police Department have an opportunity to contest.
But Smollett's judge yesterday immediately sealed the case, and the case was removed from clerk electronic records within four hours, barring anyone from reviewing the matter. Foxx today said the sealing was an error that would be undone.