Jack O'Connor

Jack O'Connor is a former intern who covered the Illinois General Assembly.

Construction underway at the new Compass Datacenters 197-acre site in Hoffman Estates on June 23, 2026. Compass is constructing five hyperscale data centers on the former Sears Headquarters campus. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

As state lawmakers stall on data center rules, Illinois cities and counties step in to fill the void

June 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In lieu of statewide regulations, a growing number of Illinois cities and counties are telling data centers to come back later or adhere to new regulations.

Debris lies on the ground on March 11, 2026, after a tornado struck the evening before along South Sandbar Road in Aroma Park. The homes border the Kankakee River. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Only halfway through the year, Illinois’ tornado tally matches record of 142

June 22, 2026 at 7:26 p.m.

Illinois leads the rankings across the country, head and shoulders above the traditional Tornado Alley areas, according to NOAA.

Sharon Gardner at her home in the Blu Apartments on June 4, 2026, in Hanover Park. Illinois lawmakers passed legislation this spring banning many hidden rental fees, or "junk fees." Gardner received $10,000 for settling a case that largely centered on how arbitrary the month-to-month fees for her were. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

Illinois is one step closer to banning ‘junk fees’ and hidden charges on renters

June 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As costs to rent apartments continue to climb, especially in Chicago, Illinois lawmakers passed legislation banning many hidden charges, such as move-in fees, from leases.

Demonstrators rally about proposed legislation to regulate construction of data centers during the spring legislative session outside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on May 30, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker pauses tax incentives for data centers after regulation efforts stall in Illinois legislature

June 6, 2026 at 12:55 p.m.

Following stalled efforts in the Illinois legislature over regulating data centers, Gov. JB Pritzker paused tax incentives for the facilities beginning July 1.

Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions after the end of the spring legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on June 1, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker touts wins in $56B Illinois budget, but some work in election-year plan went unfinished

June 1, 2026 at 6:31 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker celebrated a $56 billion spending plan while dealing with session failures — no Bears stadium deal, no housing reform — as he gears up for a reelection...

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch opens his office door after adjourning the House at the conclusion of the spring legislative session at the State Capitol early on June 1, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois legislature adjourns for the summer without resolution to Chicago Bears stadium issue

June 1, 2026 at 8:09 a.m.

After the Illinois Senate passed a new framework for a Bears stadium plan, the House adjourned without taking up the bill as some members said they didn't have time to...

Student cellphones are collected into a box in a classroom at Disney II Magnet School in Chicago on March 13, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers pass statewide school cellphone ban, handing win to Gov. JB Pritzker

May 31, 2026 at 8:19 p.m.

A bill to implement a statewide "bell-to-bell" phone ban passed out of the Senate in a concurrence vote Sunday and will head to the governor's desk.

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.

Timothy Jackson, AIDS Foundation Chicago senior director of policy and advocacy, is pushing for state lawmakers to increase HIV/AIDS funding this session. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois HIV advocates seek $6.5M funding boost as Trump cuts threaten medication access for thousands

May 28, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois HIV and AIDS advocates are warning officials that flat state funding combined with federal cuts will result in people living with HIV and AIDS suffering.

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