Jeremy Gorner

Jeremy Gorner is a beat reporter for the Tribune's Metro staff, covering Illinois state government from the Statehouse in Springfield. He previously covered the Chicago Police Department for the newspaper, and he joined the Tribune in 2006 to cover breaking news for its online news desk.

David E. Risley has been chosen by the state's Legislative Ethics Commission to begin the job of acting legislative inspector general on Oct. 1, 2026. (David E. Risley)

Former federal prosecutor to take over as Illinois’ acting legislative ethics watchdog Oct. 1

September 14, 2026 at 6:55 p.m.

David E. Risley has been chosen by the state's Legislative Ethics Commission to begin the job of acting legislative inspector general on Oct. 1, succeeding Michael P. McCuskey.

Cardinal Blase Cupich helps to lead a procession around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park following an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 18, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Judge temporarily blocks Illinois aid-in-dying law for Catholic health providers

September 14, 2026 at 5:46 p.m.

A limited temporary restraining order sides with a lawsuit from Cardinal Blase Cupich a day after a different judge refused to block the law entirely in a separate case.

Michael McCuskey, then-chair of the board of trustees for Illinois State University, speaks in Normal on April 22, 2014. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois ethics panel accepts resignation and moves to quickly name acting legislative watchdog

September 10, 2026 at 3:23 p.m.

Illinois Legislative Inspector General Michael McCuskey's tenure became clouded following his investigation of disgraced former Democratic state Rep. Harry Benton of Plainfield over sexual harassment.

David Skrzypczynski, of Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, joins with others in a candlelight vigil outside of Gov. JB Pritzker’s office in downtown Chicago Dec. 11, 2025, with the objective to urge Pritzker to veto legislation that will legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Federal judge denies bid to block Illinois’ medical-aid-in-dying law from taking effect Saturday

September 10, 2026 at 5:40 p.m.

Two disabled patients and disability and patients’ rights organizations sued to block the End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act from going into effect Saturday.

Michael McCuskey, then-chair of the board of trustees for Illinois State University, in Normal on April 22, 2014. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois’ top legislative ethics watchdog resigning following investigation into Springfield sexual harassment

September 8, 2026 at 9:23 p.m.

The tenure of Michael McCuskey, the Illinois legislature's top ethics watchdog, has become clouded by recent controversy after his investigation determined a former state lawmaker’s sexual harassment of women violated...

Da'J Flowers, 36, was fatally shot in her residence in Chicago's West Ridge community on Feb. 5, 2026. (Demone Flowers)

Suspect in custody for slaying of city of Chicago worker: family, records

September 9, 2026 at 6:18 a.m.

A suspect was in custody in the shooting death of a city of Chicago employee who was found fatally wounded earlier this year in her residence in the city’s Far...

A SWAT officer fires chemical irritants at the scene where a person barricaded themselves inside a residence in the 3400 block of West Wrightwood Avenue in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood on Sept. 7, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Hourslong SWAT standoff in Logan Square has ended, Chicago police say

September 8, 2026 at 6:58 p.m.

The Chicago Police Department’s SWAT team was sent to the 3400 block of West Wrightwood Avenue following an emergency call there some time before noon Monday.

State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, left, and Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford greet each other at an event in Chicago on Sept. 1, 2026, to celebrate the passage of the Protecting Innocent Families Act. The legislators are sponsors of the bill. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois law aimed at wrongful abuse claims follows years of debate between advocates and doctors

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

Family rights advocates were perceived by some as not taking a strong enough stand against child abuse, while the medical community was tagged as requiring families to prove their innocence...

Cardinal Cupich and Catholic nuns sue Illinois to block medical aid-in-dying law ahead of Sept. 12 start

September 3, 2026 at 7:16 p.m.

Illinois joined at least 10 other states and Washington, D.C., in permitting a law that allows a terminally ill patient to request and ingest life-ending medication.

An Illinois Department of Children and Family Services office building at 6201 S. Emerald Drive in Chicago on Jan. 17, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

DCFS audit finds some improvement but persistent problems under 2020 law sparked by Decatur toddler’s death

September 3, 2026 at 2:52 p.m.

A state audit acknowledged some improvement but flagged continued trouble spots for the Department of Children and Family Services under Gov. JB Pritzker.

All Stories