CHICAGO, IL – Kathleen Miles’s weekly trip to downtown Chicago ended in a violent encounter that shattered her sense of safety and left her with serious injuries. Now, she’s determined to ensure her story is heard.
On Aug. 19, Miles was walking near Block 37 when she was unexpectedly attacked. The next thing she remembers is waking up in a hospital with a coworker explaining that she’d been assaulted.
A colleague who witnessed the attack described how a man forcefully intervened, separating the two women and striking Miles. The attack left her with broken facial bones and a concussion.
The alleged attacker, William Livingston, 32, has a history of violent offenses. Records show multiple arrests since 2012, primarily for assaults against women and police officers.
Miles expressed her frustration with the justice system, questioning its ability to hold repeat offenders accountable. She wants to know how many more incidents are needed for change to occur.
Livingston’s history includes accusations of attacking women in 2017, cases that were eventually dropped. In 2022, he received a prison sentence for multiple assaults but was released on parole, only to be arrested again in 2023 for another attack.
In 2024, Livingston was sentenced for assaulting a teenager. Miles, driven by a desire to prevent further violence, has chosen to publicly share her experience.
Livingston is set to appear in court on Sept. 15. Miles hopes her story will highlight the need for stronger measures against repeat offenders.