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.

Northern Illinois Transit Authority and Chicago Transit Authority appointee Lester Barclay, the CTA board’s current chair, answers questions about transparency from committee vice chair Ald. Andre Vasquez Jr., 40th, during the transportation and public way committee meeting in council chambers at City Hall on July 14, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

City Council blocks Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Chicago Housing Authority appointments

July 14, 2026 at 8:43 p.m.

The Housing Committee voted to block Mayor Brandon Johnson's picks for the Chicago Housing Authority board.

llinois’s 4th Congressional District candidate Mayra Macías holds a press conference ahead of a hearing with the Illinois State Board of Elections in Chicago on June 26, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois elections board judge recommends Mayra Macías’ name not be on 4th Congressional District ballot

July 13, 2026 at 6:09 p.m.

The decision is not final, but marks a blow to Mayra Macías' campaign in a race defined by U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García's late decision to drop out and handpick...

Ald. Jason Ervin, 28th, right, talks with Ald. Chris Taliaferro, 29th, on July 13, 2026, during a City Council Finance Committee meeting at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget chair comes out against parking meter sale

July 13, 2026 at 5:04 p.m.

Ald. Jason Ervin became the latest council member to join the naysayers on the proposed deal that would land the parking meters a new owner.

U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, 4th, speaks during a ribbon-cutting for a pharmacy-only CVS location on March 30, 2026, in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

US Rep. Chuy García draws criticism as opponents of his chosen successor face ballot challenges

July 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García's opponents say the outgoing congressman is resorting to the kinds of Chicago Democratic machine election tactics his outsider movement has railed against for decades.

Mayor Brandon Johnson presides over a City Council meeting on June 17, 2026, at City Hall. Johnson did not introduce the proposal in June, but instead did so Thursday with a maneuver typically reserved for emergencies. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen reject Mayor Brandon Johnson’s move to ask voters if millionaires should be taxed

July 9, 2026 at 5:20 p.m.

Chicago aldermen Thursday struck down most of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s last-minute progressive questions to ask voters this autumn.

An advertisement for the online prediction markets platform Kalshi, displays betting information for the election at the 59th Street Columbus Circle station in Manhattan on Nov. 5, 2024. (Karsten Moran/The New York Times)

Chicago weighs ban on Kalshi and Polymarket bets for insider city employees

July 7, 2026 at 4:52 p.m.

Chicago employees and elected officials could soon be banned from using insider knowledge to place bets on online prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket.

Cardiologist Dr. Lisa Nee with her dogs outside her home in Chicago on July 6, 2026. Dr. Nee will be announcing her candidacy for Chicago mayor. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Cardiologist and whistleblower Dr. Lisa Nee to run for Chicago mayor

July 7, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A Chicago cardiologist and medical whistleblower is entering the crowded race for mayor, promising to face the city’s problems free of special-interest connections and with a doctor’s even hand.

Festival attendees play with a jump rope at the DuSable Black History Museum during the Pride South Side celebration in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood Sunday, July 5, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

At Pride South Side, LGBTQ+ festival offers ‘a place where I can be myself’

July 6, 2026 at 8:40 a.m.

Event creates a much-needed shared space that makes Pride festivals more accessible to South Siders, advocates say.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling speaks at the annual We Walk For Her march on King Drive in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood on June 6, 2025. Organizers of the event were hoping to call attention about missing and murdered women of color. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Larry Snelling’s retirement means Chicago police superintendent search begins again

July 2, 2026 at 4:41 p.m.

With the announcement of Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling’s retirement later this month, the search for the next head of the Chicago Police Department will soon begin in earnest.

Illinois 4th Congressional District candidate Mayra Macías, right, shakes hands with a supporter ahead of a hearing with the Illinois State Board of Elections in Chicago’s Loop on June 26, 2026. Macías met with the board of elections to respond to questions about legitimate signatures on her candidacy petition. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

2 independents fight to stay on the Illinois 4th District ballot amid machine politics claims

June 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A final decision on the two candidates seeking to run as independents in the 4th Congressional District race cases could come as soon as July 14 from the Illinois Board...

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