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. Senate candidates U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton prepare before their debate on Jan. 29, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Democratic hopefuls for US Senate agree Trump poses constitutional crisis but other differences emerge

January 30, 2026 at 3:27 p.m.

The three main Democratic candidates for US Senate agreed in saying the nation is facing a constitutional crisis under President Donald Trump, yet small but distinct differences among the candidates...

Stickers given out to voters during Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Top candidates for the US House in Illinois’ 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th districts for the 2026 election

February 6, 2026 at 4:29 p.m.

Politicians still have time to throw their hats into one of the rings, but here are the top candidates for several US House districts next year in Illinois.

Holding his son, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th, announces an independent run for Congress with supporters on hand Jan. 28, 2026, at 5 Estrellas Restaurante in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Progressive Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez launches independent bid for Congress

January 28, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez launched an independent run for Congress Wednesday against the chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the November general election.

U.S. Senate contenders U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton shake hands after debating on Jan. 26, 2026, at the University of Chicago. The debate was sponsored by WBEZ-FM 91.5 and the Chicago Sun-Times. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Juliana Stratton takes progressive lane, only one who calls for abolishing ICE in Democratic US Senate debate

January 27, 2026 at 2:40 p.m.

The three major Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate, Juliana Stratton, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, clashed Monday over who would be the strongest opponent to President Donald Trump and...

Gov. JB Pritzker, left, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attend a news conference in Chicago’s Fulton Market neighborhood on Jan. 16, 2026, where it was announced that Chicago will host the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson calls to abolish ICE after Minneapolis shooting as Gov. JB Pritzker urges funding halt

January 25, 2026 at 1:38 p.m.

Illinois' Democratic leaders spoke out after federal immigration officers fatally shot a 37-year-old man in Minneapolis, where President Trump’s latest deportation campaign is unfolding.

The former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights is covered in snow on Jan. 16, 2026. The 326-acre site is owned by the Chicago Bears and is being considered as a location for the team’s new domed stadium and entertainment district. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office inks new deal with outside lawyer to advise in Chicago Bears stadium talks

January 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s office signed a new $25,000 contract late last month with an outside attorney to continue advising the administration in negotiations with the Chicago Bears.

U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton after a candidate forum for their U.S. Senate race at IBEW Local 134 in Chicago on Nov. 13, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Super PAC linked to Gov. JB Pritzker launches ad campaign backing Juliana Stratton in Illinois Senate primary

January 16, 2026 at 6:31 p.m.

On Friday evening, Stratton's campaign sent a fundraising email in the governor's name, in which Gov. Pritzker asks supporters to "help Juliana regain momentum."

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at Chicago Union Station on Dec. 16, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

2 million Illinois residents could have convictions for nonviolent crimes automatically sealed under new law

January 16, 2026 at 6:08 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a new initiative into law enabling Illinois residents who've served sentences for nonviolent offenses to have their state criminal records automatically sealed.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly arrives to speak about her call for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over Noem's handling of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under President Donald Trump, during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 14, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

US Rep. Robin Kelly launches long-shot impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem over deportation tactics

January 15, 2026 at 3:37 p.m.

Kelly, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, acknowledged the long odds of moving the articles of impeachment through the GOP-controlled House.

Paris and Brooklyn Garcia look out on the Illinois River from Starved Rock State Park in Oglesby on Dec. 19, 2025. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Starved Rock, Illinois’ most popular state park, to get $18M trail upgrades in new year

January 2, 2026 at 6:03 p.m.

The new year will bring long-overdue upgrades at Illinois’ most popular state park, and one of its top tourist destinations outside Chicago.

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