Last month, law professor Ken Katkin bought a round of drinks at a Cincinnati bar with part of a $30,000 settlement from the village of Dolton following a three-year legal battle.

Why it matters: The village agreed to the $30,000 settlement after a federal lawsuit alleged that Detective Major Coleman unlawfully seized Katkin's car in 2023 and required him to pay $1,400 in towing and storage fees to recover it.

• The village of Dolton denied wrongdoing in the settlement agreement, which includes a standard no-admissions clause.

Catch up quick: Katkin reported his 2010 Toyota Camry stolen on Jan. 13, 2023, from a spot near his son's apartment in Hyde Park, where he attends UChicago grad school.

• After trying to file a police report in Chicago, he learned the car had been taken by Coleman, who claimed it had been used in a robbery, but [Coleman] "knew it was a lie. He himself had already seized that car," Cincinnati resident Katkin wrote on Facebook.
• The professor eventually got his car back after paying $1,400 to a Calumet City towing company.

After the ordeal, Katkin worked with Chicago civil rights attorney Jared Kosoglad to sue the village and Coleman, alleging a "widespread pattern" of unjustified car seizures.

• Coleman had previously faced discipline at other law enforcement agencies, including suspension from the Cook County Sheriff's Office and termination from the South Holland Police Department, according to WBEZ/BGA reporting.

The settlement: Katkin says the case moved toward resolution after Coleman and his commander failed to appear for scheduled depositions. The parties agreed to a $30,000 settlement, paid in December.

• "They wouldn't apologize, which I wanted, and I wouldn't sign a confidentiality agreement, which they wanted," Katkin said.

What they're saying: In response to questions about the case and Coleman's employment, a spokesperson confirmed he remains employed and said the matter is under review.

• This matter is currently being reviewed ... As such, the Village is unable to comment further."
• Neither Coleman nor his commander responded to Axios requests for comment.

The upshot: Katkin thinks he would've won if the case had gone to trial, but says the settlement at least covered expenses and drinks at the bar when his UChicago student son came home to play a reunion gig with his high school band.

Keep reading

The White Sox hope a new international star will bring much-needed excitement to their 2026 season.

The big picture: Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami was signed this offseason and will likely play first base for the South Siders.

• He may be the shot in the arm the young club needs to finally climb out of the AL cellar.

By the numbers: The 26-year-old set the single-season home run record for a Japanese-born player with 56 home runs for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2022.

State of play: At the Sox's Camelback Ranch spring training facility, fans were optimistic about Murakami and the Sox, even with consecutive losing seasons.

What they're saying: "It's always fun to get out to the ballpark to see how the team looks," Mike Costones, who grew up in Beverly but now lives in Tucson, tells Axios.

• "The Sox don't draw as much as some of the other teams, but there's still a big group of Chicagoans that come here every year."

Zoom in: The Arizona facility caters to Sox fans, even as they share the stadium with the Dodgers.

• While the Rate is famous for its food, the concession stands in Glendale are filled with generic Chicago staples like hot dogs, sausages and even Italian beef, although the rosemary bread definitely wasn't authentic.

Zoom out: The team took a big swing on Murakami, but didn't do much else to help the ballclub. They traded star outfielder Luis Robert Jr. for little return, mostly to clear his salary off the books.

What we're watching: Two highly touted pitching prospects. Left-handers Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith are unlikely to be on the opening day roster, but they could start their White Sox careers later this season.

Go deeper

📺 WGN-TV laid off Dean Richards, sports anchor Chris Boden and several others in a stunning round of cuts by its parent company, Nexstar. (Sun-Times)

🏟️ Legislation that creates a board and outlines the finances to build a stadium for the Chicago Bears in Hammond passed the Indiana House yesterday with a 95-4 vote. (Daily Herald)

💽 Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas fired back at a tech software company that accused her of threatening and bullying them over problems with the new property tax system. (ABC 7)

🔬 Folks who miss American Science and Surplus can buy its inventory at a Portage Park store. (Block Club)

👋 Hey, it's Monica and I'm reviewing Happy Hour deals across town.

🐖 Today's spot: Il Porcellino (59 W. Hubbard St.) in the old Brasserie Joe building.

🕰️ The time: 4 to 6pm Monday-Friday.

🍝 The vibe: Warm and stylish Rat Pack Italian-American.

🫒 The bites: From warm olives ($6) and focaccia pepperoni pizza ($6) to short rib sliders ($9) and wild mushroom arancini ($6).

🍸 The drinks: Negronis ($8), Peroni beer ($6) and house whites and reds ($8).

🍷 Perfect pair: House Sangiovese ($8 ) and prime rib meatballs ($6).

🍺 Six word review: Decent drink deals and amazing food.

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Many of you guessed Moyo was at Trinity Church Chicago, but Quinn Chapel AME earned the second most votes.

⛪️ The correct answer: Quinn Chapel

Backstory: Opened in its present location in 1892, the church sits at the corner of 24th Street and Wabash.

• What started out as a small prayer group in 1844 eventually grew into the first African American congregation in the city of Chicago.
• Named after Bishop William Paul Quinn, the church played a vital role in the city's abolitionist movement to help African Americans escape slavery.