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.

Police disperse a group during a "teen takeover" in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood on June 6, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) police

As summer heats up, what’s driving Chicago ‘teen takeovers’?

June 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Such gatherings — known as “teen takeovers” or “teen trends” — have become increasingly common in Chicago over the last decade, especially during the warmer months. They are sporadic, organized...

Alistine Goodwin pays for parking at a Park Chicago box on North Aberdeen Street in the West Loop on May 27, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen target planned Chicago parking meter sale, demanding information from NY firm

June 12, 2026 at 4:39 p.m.

Aldermen are lawyering up and clamoring for more information as they prepare to approve or reject a new sale of Chicago's marking meters.

Ald. Gilbert Villegas, 36th, speaks during a City Council meeting on April 15, 2026. Villegas is the chief sponsor of an ordinance that stiffens penalties for marijuana-related offenses near Chicago schools and parks. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen push for stiffer penalties on marijuana smoking, sales around schools and parks

June 9, 2026 at 6:03 p.m.

In its effort to crack down on repeat drug dealers, the proposed Chicago ordinance would also set harsher penalties for people who smoke marijuana in public.

Leo Diaz pays for parking at a Park Chicago box on West Fulton Street in the West Loop on May 27, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

A shot to fix Chicago’s parking meter deal? Aldermen test chances amid sale.

June 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Aldermen want to find ways to force a New York hedge fund aiming to buy the much-loathed parking meter lease from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to at least tweak the...

State Sen. Bill Cunningham updates reporters on a Senate proposal to have a new stadium for the Chicago Bears built in Illinois during the final night of the spring legislative session on May 31, 2026, in Springfield. After the spring session adjourned, Cunningham, in a sports talk radio interview, described his frustration in working with the Bears through negotiations. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears’ stadium tactics over years of negotiations leave some Illinois leaders frustrated

June 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Chicago Bears announced plans to move to Indiana. Some Illinois political leaders pointed fingers at the Bears over the breakdown in negotiations, while others are holding out hope for...

Darren Bailey, candidate for Illinois governor, speaks during the public comment portion of the monthly city council meeting at Chicago City Hall on May 20, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois GOP governor nominee Darren Bailey seeks to block independent from Nov. 3 ballot

June 3, 2026 at 7:59 p.m.

Both the state Republican and Democratic parties also formally objected to the candidacy of perennial governor candidate Richard Mayers to try to place himself on the ballot for governor under...

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza speaks about why she is running for Chicago mayor during a news conference at Taquería Los Camales in Little Village on June 3, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces another run for Chicago mayor

June 3, 2026 at 6:34 p.m.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Wednesday she will again run for mayor of Chicago.

Racers do warmup laps during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

NASCAR likely making a comeback in Chicago next year, sources say

June 2, 2026 at 4:08 p.m.

After a one-year hiatus, NASCAR will return to the streets of Chicago next year, sources told the Tribune.

Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions from reporters at City Hall about the plans for a Chicago Bears stadium, June 1, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson sees opening in latest stadium proposal to keep Bears in Chicago

June 1, 2026 at 6:13 p.m.

In Arlington Heights, Mayor Jim Tinaglia said officials were "disappointed" that Illinois lawmakers failed to pass legislation, while Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said he's "optimistic."

Mayor Brandon Johnson presents Pope Leo XIV, a life-long White Sox fan, with a Chicago Cubs baseball cap on May 28, 2026, at the Vatican. (Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media)

Trump attacks Pope Leo XIV for meeting with Mayor Brandon Johnson

May 30, 2026 at 8:02 p.m.

Trump’s social media attack comes after Chicago's mayor visited the Chicago-born pope with a delegation of city leaders on Thursday.

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Chicago Bulls are hiring Tiago Splitter as their new coach, source says