Dan Petrella

A Lombard native, Dan Petrella has written for newspapers from Chicago to Carbondale. Before joining the Tribune in 2017, he was Springfield bureau chief for Lee Enterprises newspapers. He's also been an editor and reporter at The State Journal-Register in Springfield. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García speaks during a press conference at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights headquarters in the Loop on Sept. 28, 2025. García is stepping down at the end of his term. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Independents seek opening in 4th District, upended by US Rep. García’s controversial retirement

March 20, 2026 at 1:02 p.m.

The race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García is emerging as the most competitive federal race on Illinois' November general election ballot following his controversial exit announcement.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, greets Amtrak police while thanking voters March 18, 2026, at the Great Hall in Union Station the morning after winning her primary election. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton looking to make history in US Senate race against ex-Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy

March 18, 2026 at 5:07 p.m.

If she defeats Republican nominee Don Tracy in November, Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton would become just the sixth Black woman — and the second from Illinois — to be...

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton celebrates with supporters after her win in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate on March 17, 2026, at CineCity Studios Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton wins Democratic nomination for US Senate

March 18, 2026 at 10:02 a.m.

Two-term Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago defeated a pair of experienced members of Congress in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, winning the party’s nomination to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Democratic Illinois senatorial candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi listens in as 8th District Democratic Illinois House candidate John Harrell speaks about Krishnamoorthi during a campaign stop at MacArthur’s Restaurant in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on March 14, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

On final weekend before Illinois primary, candidates try to keep it local despite flood of out-of-state money

March 15, 2026 at 6:12 p.m.

Candidates on the final weekend before Tuesday's primary fanned out across the state to hit traditional campaign stops, including the South Side Irish Parade, city churches and downstate rallies.

Democratic Senate candidates Rep. Robin Kelly, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton arrive to begin a debate on March 9, 2026, at WTTW-Ch. 11 studios. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois’ Senate Democratic primary a lesson in campaign finance and a test of Gov. JB Pritzker’s power

March 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Democratic race to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has been shaped by President Donald Trump's actions, campaign fundraising and could serve as a measure of Gov. JB Pritzker's political...

U.S. Senate contender U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi speaks to anchor Paris Schutz during a debate with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Feb. 16, 2026, at WFLD-Ch. 32 in Chicago. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi raises millions for Illinois Senate bid as fundraising draws scrutiny

March 10, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s prowess at raising campaign cash not only gave him an early, dominant presence in the Senate race but also has made him one of Washington’s most...

Democratic Senate candidates Rep. Robin Kelly, from left, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton arrive to begin a debate on March 9, 2026, at WTTW-Ch. 11 studios. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Juliana Stratton and Robin Kelly stick to script in Senate race’s final TV debate

March 9, 2026 at 6:48 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton continued to tussle over how various financial backers of their candidacies would influence their ability to stand up to Republican President...

Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions after a recent roundtable at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker says he didn’t travel on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane following Bill Clinton testimony

March 3, 2026 at 4:19 p.m.

Republicans have pounced on the testimony video of ex-President Bill Clinton suggesting Gov. JB Pritzker and his wife were on a plane with him belonging to Jeffrey Epstein.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. gestures after the House Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 27, a stadium authority bill that will create the financial structure for a Chicago Bears stadium, at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis on Feb. 19, 2026. The bill still needs to be approved by the Indiana House. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

Next stop Hammond? Indiana lawmakers approve Chicago Bears stadium bill, taking a big step.

February 19, 2026 at 8:58 p.m.

Indiana lawmakers took another step Thursday toward potentially luring the Chicago Bears to the state, as a key committee approved a plan to create an agency that would build a...

Gov. JB Pritzker greets lawmakers before delivering his annual State of the State and budget address Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

In State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker pitches affordability and Illinois resilience to Trump

February 18, 2026 at 8:09 p.m.

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said the Trump administration’s actions cutting federal funding for various programs have cost the people of Illinois $8.4 billion.

All Stories