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.

State Rep. Margaret Croke celebrates her lead in the race to be the Democratic nominee for comptroller with her daughter, Hattie Croke, 2, in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood on March 17, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

North Side lawmaker Margaret Croke secures Democratic nomination for Illinois comptroller

March 19, 2026 at 7:55 p.m.

State Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago, backed by Gov. JB Pritzker, narrowly led the race since Tuesday, but the AP did not declare a winner until Thursday as state Sen....

‘This election is not over’: Democratic race for Illinois comptroller still undecided as Croke holds slim lead

March 18, 2026 at 6:49 p.m.

The Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller remained too close to call as state Rep. Margaret Croke maintained a slim lead over state Sen. Karina Villa.

State Rep. Croke holds narrow lead in the Democratic race for Illinois comptroller

March 18, 2026 at 10:27 a.m.

State Rep. Margaret Croke said she was confident late Tuesday that she would prevail in a tightly contested race to become the Democratic nominee for Illinois comptroller.

State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz and Paul Kendrick, a candidate for the Illinois House 12th District, cheer as they arrive to a watch party on March 17, 2026, at El Jardin in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. (Talia Sprague/for the Chicago Tribune)

Illinois primaries set stage for November general election amid upsets and lawmakers keeping safe seats

March 20, 2026 at 1:21 p.m.

Two primary challengers declared victory against veteran incumbent Illinois lawmakers in the race for the nomination to their House seats Tuesday night.

Democratic Illinois senatorial candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi listens in as 8th District Democratic Illinois House candidate John Harrell speaks about Krishnamoorthi during a campaign stop at MacArthur’s Restaurant in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on March 14, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

On final weekend before Illinois primary, candidates try to keep it local despite flood of out-of-state money

March 15, 2026 at 6:12 p.m.

Candidates on the final weekend before Tuesday's primary fanned out across the state to hit traditional campaign stops, including the South Side Irish Parade, city churches and downstate rallies.

The House floor is prepared before Gov. JB Pritzker delivers his annual State of the State and budget address, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois General Assembly races feature open seats, big bucks and a reelection bid after corruption mistrial

March 18, 2026 at 12:50 a.m.

All 118 state House seats are on the ballot, in addition to 39 of the 59 state Senate seats, and the fight to fill those seats has drawn an influx...

State Rep. Harry Benton speaks on the House floor at the Illinois State Capitol, May 29, 2025, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Republicans press Democrats for answers on Rep. Harry Benton’s removal from caucus

March 11, 2026 at 6:47 p.m.

In late February, House Democratic leadership stripped state Rep. Harry Benton, a Democrat from Plainfield, of his committee assignments and removed him from the House Democratic Caucus for reasons leadership...

Illinois comptroller candidate and state Sen. Karina Villa greets attendees before a Democratic candidate forum at the Des Plaines Public Library on Feb. 6, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Bernie Sanders endorses state Sen. Karina Villa for Illinois comptroller

March 9, 2026 at 5:04 p.m.

Illinois state Sen. Karina Villa is in a four-person race to replace longtime Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who decided last year not to run for another term.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias greets public service representatives at the new Illinois
secretary of state office at 125 W. Monroe St. in the Loop on March 31, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Two low-funded Republicans battle to run against Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias in the fall

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

For the GOP nomination for secretary of state, Diane M. Harris is going up against Walter Adamczyk for the right to compete against the current officeholder, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias.

State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, from left, state Rep. Margaret Croke, state Sen. Karina Villa and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim gather for pictures following a Democratic comptroller candidate forum at the Des Plaines Public Library on Feb. 6, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois comptroller race 2026: Democratic primary field angles for votes as Susana Mendoza steps down

March 5, 2026 at 8:50 a.m.

With Mendoza eyeing a potential run for Chicago mayor, Illinois voters must choose her successor for the first time in a decade.

All Stories