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.

Gov. JB Pritzker talks about recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics and their effect on immigrant families at the Illinois Capitol during the legislative session on Oct. 30, 2025, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker’s Accountability Commission still ramping up as federal immigration surge starts to subside

November 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

More than three weeks after Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker created the commission, there is no apparent way for the public to report misconduct by federal immigration agents.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks during a news conference at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights headquarters in the Loop, Sept. 28, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Rejecting corporate PAC money earns Juliana Stratton endorsement in Senate race from End Citizens United

November 6, 2025 at 6:26 p.m.

End Citizens United, which backs greater transparency in campaign fundraising and contribution limits, announced it is supporting Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

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

US Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García defends insider move that cleared path for top staffer to enter Congress

November 5, 2025 at 7:50 p.m.

While acknowledging "the criticism is fair," U.S. Rep. Jesús 'Chuy' García said he made the decision not to run for a fifth term quickly due to a confluence of quick-moving...

Gov. JB Pritzker answers reporters' questions about the House transit funding plan during a visit to the Curtin Family Farm, Oct. 29, 2025, in Taylorville. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker skeptical about House Democrats’ tax and fee plans to address public transit

October 29, 2025 at 7:29 p.m.

After Gov. JB Pritzker was not enthusiastic about tax and fee proposals to overhaul the Chicago region’s mass transit systems, at least one fellow Democrat said he would like to...

Katherine "Kat" Abughazaleh, far left, and other protesters surround a federal SUV and try to prevent it from driving into the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview on Sept. 26, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Six Broadview protesters indicted, including congressional candidate Katherine ‘Kat’ Abughazaleh

October 29, 2025 at 6:08 p.m.

A federal grand jury has indicted six protesters including two political candidates for allegedly blocking an ICE agent's vehicle while he was driving into Broadview last month, according to a...

A sign heralds Kennedy Expressway rehabilitation completion near Pulaski Road in Chicago on Oct. 24, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Kennedy Expressway rehab project finishes a bit over budget at $169M but ahead of schedule after early delays

October 24, 2025 at 7:13 p.m.

The three-year, $169 million rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway was completed Friday a month ahead of a Thanksgiving deadline.

Mayor Brandon Johnson talks with community members on Oct. 24, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker throws cold water on remote learning for CPS students in response to ICE raids

October 24, 2025 at 6:02 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson urged Gov. JB Pritzker Friday to weigh allowing Chicago public school students to learn from home because of ICE arrests.

House Minority Leader Rep. Tony McCombie gives a GOP response after Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his budget address in Springfield, Feb. 19, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker and GOP House leader bickered in texts after conservative influencer filmed Pritzker’s home

October 23, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker sought support from Illinois Republicans after a conservative online provocateur filmed his home. Instead, he got into an argument over text.

Larry Hoover, who has been in prison since 1973, faces the parole board with his wife, Winndye Jenkins, at the Dixon Correctional Center on Feb. 7, 1995. (John Dziekan/Chicago Tribune)

Prison board receives clemency petition for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover

October 23, 2025 at 3:43 p.m.

The petition comes after President Donald Trump in May commuted the federal life sentence of Chicago-born Hoover.

Members of the Illinois State Police and Cook County sheriff’s office tussle with protesters in the designated protest zone a block from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Broadview on Oct. 10, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Amid criticism of police tactics, Broadview protesters begin appearing in court

October 22, 2025 at 6:18 a.m.

Illinois State Police, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and the Broadview Police Department have arrested around 70 people at Broadview protests.

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