Jake Sheridan

Jake Sheridan covers local politics and the City Council for the Tribune's City Hall team. He previously worked as a general assignment reporter for the Tribune's Metro desk. He is a graduate of Duke University. He welcomes tips on important news, overlooked problems and colorful stories via X and email.

Mayor Brandon Johnson exits after taking reporters' questions following a City Council meeting on Oct. 14, 2026. Aldermen fell one vote short of Mayor Johnson's veto on bond rules. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

After debate over racial power, aldermen fail to override Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto on bond rules

October 14, 2026 at 6:41 p.m.

Aldermen fell one vote short of overriding Mayor Brandon Johnson’s veto pen Wednesday, ending their push to make it harder for him to issue city debt.

Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over the City Council meeting at Chicago City Hall on Sept. 29, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson again calls for taxes on big corporations as budget showdown looms

October 13, 2026 at 4:43 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday again argued large corporations must pay more taxes to help Chicago balance its books.

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a City Club of Chicago event at Maggiano's Banquets on Sept. 30, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoes debt issuance rule backed by aldermen

October 9, 2026 at 6:06 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a veto late Friday to an ordinance passed by aldermen to require more City Council support before City Hall issues debt.

Aldermen Marty Quinn, 13th, left, and Peter Chico, 10th, listen during the Finance Committee meeting on Oct. 5, 2026 as Law Department attorney Jessica Felker discusses the settlement amounts to cover lawsuits alleging misconduct by disgraced Chicago Police Department Detective Reynaldo Guevara. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen give $261 million settlement for police abuse lawsuits initial approval

October 5, 2026 at 6:12 p.m.

The historic mass settlement proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration would resolve 16 lawsuits alleging disgraced Chicago Police Department Detective Reynaldo Guevara framed men for murder.

Reynaldo Guevara leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on June 8, 2018. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

$261 million mass settlement for Guevara police misconduct, Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes

October 1, 2026 at 6:21 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is proposing a staggering $260.8 million settlement to resolve 16 lawsuits alleging police misconduct by disgraced former Chicago Det. Reynaldo Guevara.

Mayor Brandon Johnson greets people before speaking at a City Club of Chicago event at Maggiano's Banquets on Sept. 30, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

At City Club, Mayor Brandon Johnson asks why rich put profits over ‘the lives of my neighbors’

September 30, 2026 at 5:56 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson accused the city’s corporate class of ignoring Black and brown lives Wednesday in a wide-ranging speech to a crowd of business leaders.

Ed Hershey, from left, Patty García, moderator Anita Blanton, Chris Getty and Lupe Castillo participate in a candidate debate for the Illinois 4th Congressional District seat on Sept. 29, 2026, at FOX 32 television studio in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois 4th District race: Rivals hit Patty García over ballot moves in race to succeed Jesús ‘Chuy’ García

September 30, 2026 at 4:37 p.m.

At the first opportunity, the three challengers went after Patty García for what they argued was an effort by her and her closest political allies, including the outgoing congressman, to...

Ald. Marty Quinn, 13th, speaks during the City Council meeting at Chicago City Hall on Sept. 29, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago aldermen require bigger majority for city-issued debt in blow to mayoral power

September 29, 2026 at 5:36 p.m.

Chicago aldermen approved a plan Tuesday to require an even larger City Council majority for the city to borrow money.

Rachael Van Vechten pays for parking on her phone while her children, Henry and Charles, play with the parking meter box in Lincoln Square on Sept. 25, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago parking meters switching owners, aldermen point to improvements over 2008 deal

September 30, 2026 at 12:13 p.m.

The infamous parking meter lease that Chicagoans love to hate is switching hands, with a New York investment firm taking over after aldermen got them to improve the deal.

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a press conference announcing the introduction of the Protecting Renters Ordinance at Daley Plaza on June 29, 2026, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago renters’ rights overhaul stalls again as sides seek compromise

September 29, 2026 at 6:56 p.m.

The City Hall fight between Mayor Brandon Johnson and opponents has again stalled two ordinances aimed at overhauling Chicago renters’ rights.

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