Random Attack on Chicago Woman Raises Concerns
Kathleen Miles, a mother of 11 and grandmother of seven, lives near Villa Lake on Lake Chicago. For the past two decades, she has commuted to her job in downtown Chicago, often referred to as the Loop.
On August 19, while heading to the train with a co-worker on West Washington Avenue, Miles experienced a shocking incident—a stranger punched her in the face. This attack was completely unprovoked.
Reflecting on the attack, Miles expressed her frustration, “He’s out in 2025. And if he had been responsible for his actions, I wouldn’t have been hurt and sitting here.” She described the force of the attack as quite severe.
The White House, responding to President Trump’s remarks on the rising violent crime rate in Chicago, has pointed to this event. They believe Democratic officials should consider Trump’s success in reducing crime in Washington, D.C., and seek his help addressing the issue in Chicago.
A colleague recalled how the attacker came between them and hit both Miles and herself. Following the incident, Miles regained consciousness in a hospital, only to learn from her co-worker that she had been assaulted.
Authorities have identified the assailant as 32-year-old William Livingston, who faces multiple charges, including felony counts of aggravated battery and reckless conduct. He was arrested the same day and has a troubling history of similar offenses dating back years.
Chicago police records reveal that Livingston has been arrested multiple times since 2012 for crimes involving assault and battery against women and police officers alike. Interestingly, he was previously sentenced for similar violent acts.
“What’s enough?” Miles questioned. “What does someone have to do before they are held accountable?”
Livingston’s criminal history includes a series of assaults on women over the past several years. He was linked to attacks in 2017 and recently sentenced to prison for attempting to rob multiple women in a short timeframe.
Through all of this, Miles wrestles with the trauma of the attack but is determined to seek justice. She plans to attend a court hearing in Skokie on September 15, expressing her desire for change in the system.
