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.

State representatives debate and vote on bills in the final night of the spring legislative session at the State Capitol, May 31, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers pass $56B budget deal backed by gas tax windfall and some election-year tax breaks

June 1, 2026 at 9:11 a.m.

Democrats' plan calls for diverting $150 million of gas sales tax windfall — money that otherwise would flow to mass transit — to help fund day-to-day state operations and stave...

People attend a Senate executive committee hearing in room 212 late into the evening during the spring legislative session at the State Capitol, May 30, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers roll out $55B budget plan as Bears stadium talks back to square one on final day of session

May 31, 2026 at 7:13 a.m.

With one day left until the Illinois General Assembly's scheduled adjournment, lawmakers worked to find tax increases and revenue diversions to finance a new state budget while a plan to...

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, center left, and Senate President Don Harmon, center right, head to their offices after a meeting with Gov. JB Pritzker during the spring legislative session at the State Capitol in Springfield on May 29, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Uncertainty marks Illinois legislature’s final weekend as lawmakers debate Bears stadium, gas tax and budget

May 30, 2026 at 12:04 p.m.

The lack of movement on the major issues has increased tensions and exposed internal dissention among Democratic lawmakers toward their legislative leaders and Gov. JB Pritzker.

Republican gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey speaks with supporters at an Illinois GOP unity breakfast in Naperville, March 18, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey held fundraiser on legislative session day in apparent violation of ban

May 29, 2026 at 7:14 p.m.

Republican governor nominee Darren Bailey held a fundraiser in Joliet on a legislative session day, an apparent violation of a law prohibiting candidates from holding events to raise campaign cash...

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey speaks to the media after his primary victory at an Illinois GOP unity breakfast in Naperville, March 18, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Fundraiser for Illinois GOP governor candidate Darren Bailey delayed after Tribune raised ethics law questions

May 28, 2026 at 2:40 p.m.

The Barrington Township Republican Organization planned “a very private dinner” Thursday benefitting GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey. But Illinois law bans fundraisers for many candidates during legislative session days.

Alan Martinez, from Elgin, kicks a soccer ball while hanging out with Yuval Benita, left, from Israel, and Wilson Kruse, from Oak Park, at Chicago's Oak Street Beach on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago beaches fill up with the unofficial beginning of summer: ‘Excited to spend time outside’

May 26, 2026 at 12:19 p.m.

Eager for warm-weather fun after a stretch of cool days, many in the Chicago area descended on beaches along the lake to celebrate the unofficial first day of summer.

Fans wait in line to enter the Chicago Bears Draft Party at Soldier Field on April 23, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL commissioner as Arlington Heights and Indiana sites remain at forefront

May 20, 2026 at 5:52 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about potential Bears stadium legislation and maintained the Bears and NFL are only considering a new stadium in Arlington Heights...

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during an interview, March 18, 2026, after his primary election victory. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois passed a law to expose diversity gaps at top nonprofits. Almost none are complying.

May 17, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Nearly two years after Illinois passed a law requiring large nonprofits to disclose the demographic makeup of their boards and officers, the measure has shed little light on who actually...

Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks during a press conference to highlight the bid to bring the 2028 Democratic National Convention back to Chicago at 875 North Michigan Avenue, formerly known as the John Hancock Center, on May 13, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago hopes Trump will cooperate as it bids to repeat as host for Democratic National Convention in 2028

May 13, 2026 at 6:10 p.m.

Democratic Party officials wrapped up a three-day visit to Chicago to assess which of the five competing cities will be the best site to host the national convention Aug. 7-10,...

Maya Cazares, from left, and her mother, Rosita Cazares, talk with Patty García, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, at Las Carnitas Uruapan in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Nov. 14, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Patty García gets Congressional Progressive Caucus endorsement in race to replace US Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García

May 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As many as five candidates, including three Democrats running as independents, are expected to challenge Democrat Patty García in the race to replace Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García in Illinois' 4th...

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