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.

Gov. JB Pritzker mingles with people at an event in Chicago, Jan. 28, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker expected to propose ‘maintenance’ Illinois budget, legislative leader says

February 18, 2026 at 11:22 a.m.

Illinois' four top legislative leaders briefed before Wednesday's state of the state and budget address agreed the fiscal plan will have to hew to the line in a tight budget...

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, seated, cheers on Aug. 19, 2024, during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Political leaders across Illinois mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death: ‘A giant of the Civil Rights Movement’

February 21, 2026 at 9:47 a.m.

Political leaders across Illinois mourned Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death and nodded to the decades-long movement he championed after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his mentor.

Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions at an event at Union Station in Chicago, Dec. 16, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker expected to target budget gap — and President Donald Trump — in Illinois statewide address

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

The governor also faces intensifying pressure from his party’s left flank on the budget portion of his speech, as progressives are pushing for the wealthy to pay more.

GOP U.S. Senate contenders Casey Chlebek, from left, Jeannie Evans and former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy prepare for their debate on Feb. 11, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

3 Illinois GOP rivals for US Senate sidestep criticizing President Donald Trump in debate but note differences

February 12, 2026 at 5:19 p.m.

Don Tracy, Jeannie Evans and Casey Chlebek appeared Wednesday night at an hourlong debate. Each made some missteps as they contended a Republican could win the race to succeed retiring...

Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions from reporters on Jan. 20, 2026. Pritzker's January calendar shows he had two scheduled conversations with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell while Goodell was in Chicago for the Bears-Packers playoff game. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker talked Bears with NFL commissioner and says progress is being made to keep team in Illinois

February 9, 2026 at 7:03 p.m.

While Indiana officials play up their efforts to lure the Chicago Bears across the border for a new stadium, Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday that he and his staff have...

State Rep. Margaret Croke, a Democratic candidate for comptroller, participates in a forum at Rainbow PUSH Coalition in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood on Nov. 18, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker endorses Margaret Croke in Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller

February 9, 2026 at 5:26 p.m.

State Rep. Croke is one of four Democratic candidates running in the March 17 primary for Illinois comptroller. Others are Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit and...

Holly Kim, a candidate for Illinois comptroller, attends a rally on Jan. 20, 2026, in Chicago’s Federal Plaza to support democracy on the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s inauguration. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

How a campaign contribution loss in CHKN tokens has made crypto an issue in Illinois’ comptroller race

February 6, 2026 at 9:51 a.m.

Holly Kim, a candidate for Illinois comptroller, lost value in a campaign contribution through a purchase of her cryptocurrency, putting a spotlight on the digital assets in the statewide race.

Passengers exit a Waymo self-driving car, Dec. 26, 2025, in San Francisco. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Waymo-backed bill could make self-driving cars legal in Illinois in three years

February 2, 2026 at 4:28 p.m.

The bill would authorize autonomous vehicle pilot programs in a handful of Illinois counties, including Cook County, before opening the door to statewide legalization of self-driving cars in three years.

Moderator Dean Kaisner, left, speaks to GOP candidates for governor Rick Heidner, from second from left, Darren Bailey, James Mendrick and Ted Dabrowski during a forum hosted by the Tazewell County Republican Party at Five Points in downstate Washington on Jan. 15, 2026. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Illinois’ Republican candidates for governor push crime as top issue despite data showing declines

February 1, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

The Republican race for governor features a paradoxical narrative in which candidates loyal to President Trump are campaigning against a crime wave he says no longer exists.

Donna Massey, left, mother of Sonya Massey, cries tears of joy and remarks, “We did it” as she stands with her sister-in-law, Tammy Massey, Jan. 29, 2026, following the sentencing of former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson at the Sangamon County Courthouse in Springfield. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Ex-Sangamon County deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for Sonya Massey second-degree murder conviction

January 29, 2026 at 7:08 p.m.

Sean Grayson, a former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy, was convicted in October of second-degree murder in the 2024 killing of Sonya Massey, a shooting that generated national outrage.

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