Alice Yin

Alice Yin is a beat reporter covering Chicago City Hall and the mayor's office. She started her career at the Tribune as an overnight crime reporter in 2019 and has since covered Cook County government, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests on Chicago and the 2023 mayoral election. Before that she worked for the Chicago Sun-Times and the Michigan statehouse bureau of the Associated Press.

Mayor Brandon Johnson walks to the podium to deliver his speech at the annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago on Jan. 19, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Don Lemon speak out against Trump at annual MLK breakfast

January 19, 2026 at 1:22 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson revived his crusade to tax the rich during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast hosted by the civil rights group Rainbow PUSH.

Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a news conference on the fifth floor of Chicago City Hall on Dec. 15, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Well-funded potential challengers already circling Mayor Brandon Johnson

January 18, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A large and growing field of candidates is angling to take out Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is seen as very beatable.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris arrives to deliver the keynote address at the Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast, Jan. 16, 2026, at the Hilton Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Kamala Harris back in Chicago: ‘People are sick and tired of being sick and tired’

January 16, 2026 at 3:43 p.m.

Speaking at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast, Kamala Harris called on the room of politicos and religious leaders to “continue the fight” against President Donald Trump.

Vice President Kamala Harris greets delegates on Aug. 22, 2024, during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Kamala Harris returning to Chicago for MLK breakfast event

January 15, 2026 at 4:26 p.m.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will return to Chicago on Friday for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Breakfast, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced.

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot departs after announcing an independent commission to document and collect evidence of abuses by federal immigration agents on Jan. 8, 2026, at the Union League Club of Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot sued over credit card debt

January 12, 2026 at 5:37 p.m.

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot was served at her Chicago home in October with a lawsuit from JPMorgan Chase Bank for allegedly failing to pay about $11,078 in bills.

Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a City Council meeting at City Hall, Dec. 18, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson raises possibility of midyear layoffs

January 7, 2026 at 4:34 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to a question about retroactive changes to the 2026 budget by reiterating the package could force personnel cuts midyear.

Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a news conference after he signed two executive orders regarding the 2026 budget on Dec. 23, 2025, at Chicago City Hall. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

City Hall hiring freezes, including under Mayor Brandon Johnson, have proved to be more of a chill

January 2, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Hundreds of workers were brought on to the payroll since Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration instituted the hiring freeze in August, according to city records.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson talks to reporters at City Hall after meeting with a group of aldermen to discuss the city budget, Dec. 15, 2025. Also with the mayor are Budget Director Annette Guzman, from left, Comptroller Michael Belsky and Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Sports betting lobby suing to block Chicago’s new online wagering tax set to go into effect Thursday

December 30, 2025 at 3:46 p.m.

New tax on online bets in Chicago is projected to raise $26.2 million in 2026 and was included in the recently passed city budget.

Here’s what Mayor Brandon Johnson’s 2024 tax returns show

December 28, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson released his most recent tax returns, showing the freshman chief executive remains less wealthy than his predecessors and does not earn outside income.

A sign on a Streets and Sanitation snowplow parked in Chicago's Loop reads "Holy Plow," on Oct. 19, 2024. The city has announced the fourth annual "You Name a Snowplow" contest. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

‘Abolish ICE’ gets early nod from Mayor Brandon Johnson in annual Chicago snowplow contest

December 26, 2025 at 3:15 p.m.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has an early favorite in the city's name-a-snowplow contest. He's has signaled his support for "Abolish ICE" on social media.

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