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A Chicago woman who left her dead mother’s body in a freezer for nearly two years has been charged in U.S. District Court with using her mom’s stolen identity to collect tens of thousands of dollars in Social Security checks and food program benefits.

Eva Bratcher, 72, was charged in an indictment initially filed under seal last month with two fraud counts related to the theft of more than $20,000 in benefits intended for her elderly mother, who died in 2021. The indictment was announced by the U.S. Department of Justice today as part of a nationwide crackdown on Social Security fraud.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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Rachael Van Vechten paid for parking on her phone while her children Henry and Charles play with the parking meter box in Lincoln Square, Sept. 25, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)
Rachael Van Vechten pays for parking on her phone while her children, Henry and Charles, play with the parking meter box in Lincoln Square on Sept. 25, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Chicago parking meters switching owners, aldermen point to improvements over 2008 deal

The infamous parking meter lease that Chicagoans love to hate is switching hands, with a New York investment firm taking over after aldermen got them to improve the deal. Read more here.

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Metra will display a battery-operated passenger train at a national transit conference next week at a downtown Chicago station. (Metra)
Metra will display a battery-operated passenger train at a national transit conference next week at a downtown Chicago station. (Metra)

Metra to showcase game-changing battery-operated passenger train

Commuters will have to wait until the end of 2027 and into 2028 before the game-changing transport can accommodate passengers. Read more here.

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Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson (8) at the Chicago Bulls Media Day at the United Center on Sept. 28, 2026, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson at the Chicago Bulls Media Day at the United Center on Sept. 28, 2026, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Rebuilding Chicago Bulls won’t keep Caleb Wilson on a short leash in his rookie season

The Bulls are going all-in on the roster’s youngest players after overhauling the front office at the end of the 2025-26 season. And with No. 4 draft pick Caleb Wilson headlining this young core, the Bulls are more focused on growth than results this season. Read more here.

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Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy (right) perform the R.E.M. 1985 album "Fables of the Reconstruction" at the Metro in Chicago on Friday, March 14, 2025. (Talia Sprague/for the baiduhai)
Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy (right) perform the R.E.M. 1985 album "Fables of the Reconstruction" at the Metro in Chicago on March 14, 2025. (Talia Sprague/for the baiduhai)

Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy announce 2027 tour for R.E.M.’s ‘Document’

New year, next album. Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy announced today a 2027 North American tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of R.E.M.’s album “Document.” Read more here.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Pete Hegseth says national security and military cyber forces will guard US election systems during midterms 

The U.S. National Security Agency and other military intelligence and cybersecurity forces will guard election systems during the November midterms, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said. Read more here.

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