Jack O'Connor

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...

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.

Sen. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, on Oct. 12, 2022. Feigenholtz faces 29-year-old Nick Uniejewski in the upcoming election. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Democrats spend $190,000 to defend state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz from progressive challenger

March 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Democratic Party of Illinois' six-figure expenditure for mailers supporting state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz's campaign comes as she faces upstart challenger Nick Uniejewski, a former city policy analyst.

A person stands in front of a Meta sign outside of the company's headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on March 7, 2023. (Jeff Chiu/AP)

Meta set to spend $750K backing Illinois statehouse candidates as AI and social media legislation looms

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

A super PAC created by Meta has spent nearly $340,000 on on mailers and digital advertising to support four Chicago and Chicago-area Democratic state House primary candidates.

Teacher Heather Debby collects cellphones in a classroom at Disney II Magnet School in Chicago on March 13, 2025. Students have the option to place their device in a phone locker or keep them in their backpacks, in addition to not allowing students to take their phone to the bathroom. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker renews call to ban cellphones in schools across Illinois after effort fell short last year

February 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The latest bill would require schools to adopt a “bell-to-bell” policy for K-12 students, while last year’s proposal only focused on banning phones during instructional time.

Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford speaks among supporters on Feb. 17, 2026, about the Adequate and Equitable Public University Funding Formula at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers push university funding overhaul amid regional enrollment drops and U. of I. opposition

March 24, 2026 at 11:29 a.m.

As enrollments drop at so-called directional universities, lawmakers are pushing a revised higher ed funding plan this spring despite University of Illinois opposition.

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.

Gov. JB Pritzker mingles with people at an event in Chicago, Jan. 28, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker expected to propose ‘maintenance’ Illinois budget, legislative leader says

February 18, 2026 at 11:22 a.m.

Illinois' four top legislative leaders briefed before Wednesday's state of the state and budget address agreed the fiscal plan will have to hew to the line in a tight budget...

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, seated, cheers on Aug. 19, 2024, during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Political leaders across Illinois mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death: ‘A giant of the Civil Rights Movement’

February 21, 2026 at 9:47 a.m.

Political leaders across Illinois mourned Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death and nodded to the decades-long movement he championed after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his mentor.

Gina Eshu fills out an application for a ballot certificate for a registered voter during the Illinois primary election on March 19, 2024, at a polling place at Chicago Filmmakers in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois voter guide to the 2026 primary election on March 17

February 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois Democratic and Republican voters will soon decide their party’s nominees for races at the federal and state levels, as well as in a few local races, during the March...

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