Agency releases videos:

Chicago’s Independent Police Review Authority has released videos, police reports and 911 calls relating to the fatal shooting of a black man by white officers that sparked racially charged demonstrations. One recorded call is from a man identifying himself as an off-duty officer who asked police be sent to a street in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood. The caller warned someone may be shot. Police say not long after the call, 25-year-old Joshua Beal, was fatally shot by the officer and another off-duty officer. They said Beal grabbed a gun from a car and tried to fire at them. Police said the Nov. 5 incident began when an off-duty Chicago firefighter argued with motorists in a funeral procession who were blocking a fire lane. Video footage that surfaced after the shooting appeared to show Beal holding a gun.

A warning on identity thefts:

Bensenville police are warning the public about a recent uptick in identity theft cases in which thieves are opening Comcast/Xfinity accounts in the names of residents, ABC 7 reported on its website. Police said victims should take the following steps immediately:

First, file a police report, which police said will be required by Comcast/Xfinity to address the fraudulent account. Next, Visit the Comcast/Xfinity website for a Fraud/Identity Theft Claim Form and follow all instructions. Download and print the Identity Theft Affidavit form and follow all instructions.

Finally, take steps to ensure you review your credit and follow the steps in the “Taking Charge: What to do if Your Identity is Stolen” guide from the Federal Trade Commission. Police emphasized the importance of the last step to prevent the person who opened the fraudulent Comcast/Infinity account from purchasing other things using your identity.

Young skier mourned:

A 10-year-old La Grange girl who died after a New Year’s Day skiing accident in northern Michigan is being mourned in her hometown. A weekend funeral is planned for Delaney O’Connell, who died of what authorities say was a closed head injury. The Chicago Tribune reported Delaney was a well-loved, artistic and bookish fourth-grader. Michael Michowski, principal of Cossitt Avenue School, said she was “always quick with a hug.” WLS-TV said purple ribbons were displayed in La Grange in her memory. Crystal Mountain, a ski resort in Michigan’s Benzie County, said the accident was Sunday during a group ski lesson on an intermediate trail. Delaney struck a tree and was wearing a helmet. She was transported to a Grand Rapids hospital, where she died Monday.

Judge takes city to task:

A federal judge says the city of Chicago acted in “bad faith” when it ignored a court order and made little effort to provide documents to the family of Divonte Young, a 20-year-old who was shot to death by police in 2012. Judge Joan Gottschall on Tuesday criticized the city for its approach to discovery. Discovery is the legal process allowing the two sides in a lawsuit to uncover relevant facts through the exchange of documents, depositions and other disclosures. Gottschall wrote the city’s “cavalier attitude toward the discovery process” warrant findings of bad faith. Law department spokesman Bill McCaffrey said the city believes it fully complied with the subpoena in the case, but it will promptly comply with the current order.

Durbin, Sessions talk:

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said he’s discussed a pending civil rights report on the Chicago police with President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Justice. The Illinois Democrat spoke to reporters after Wednesday’s meeting in Washington, D.C., with Sen. Jeff Sessions, a Republican from Alabama. Durbin said he sought assurances that if Sessions is confirmed as U.S. attorney general, he would address problems identified by the department. The department launched its investigation into police practices after a video showed a white officer fatally shooting black teen Laquan McDonald 16 times. The video prompted protests and demands for reforms. The report is expected to be released before Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. Durbin says he expects it “any day now.” A message seeking comment from Sessions’ office wasn’t returned.

YMCA settles bias complaint:

The YMCA of Metro Chicago has agreed to a settlement that resolves a discrimination complaint involving Type 1 diabetes. The complaint was filed on behalf of a 9-year-old girl with diabetes on a YMCA swim team. She’d been told staff members couldn’t administer an emergency shot called glucagon for low blood sugar, and she would need to be accompanied by a family member who could give the shot. Glucagon is a potentially lifesaving treatment that is pre-measured and injectable. It is intended to be administered to unresponsive individuals by properly trained lay persons. The settlement was announced Wednesday by the U.S. attorney’s office. It requires the YMCA to give the emergency medicine to children with diabetes in their programs who have requested it.

Diocese offering grants:

The Catholic Diocese of Joliet is announcing anti-poverty grants to help people who are unemployed or don’t earn enough to care for themselves and families. Diocesan officials say the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is attempting to weaken poverty with grants to self-help groups and programs started and directed by low-income residents. Groups eligible are those working to create sustainable jobs, maintain affordable housing, improve neighborhoods and run self-improvement programs. Recipients must be working in the areas of poverty, education or connecting poor and non-poor communities. The groups must not participate in or promote ideas that contradict the moral teachings of the church. Applications will be accepted through March 1 from groups in DuPage, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, Kendall and Will counties. More information is available at www.dioceseofjoliet.org/.