Laura Washington

Laura Washington is a contributing columnist for the Chicago Tribune and political analyst at ABC-7. Before moving to the Tribune, she served as a longtime contributing columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Washington brings more than two award-winning decades of experience as a non-profit professional and multi-media journalist. She specializes in African American affairs, local and national politics, race and racism, and social justice.

Pope Leo XIV stands at the window of his studio during the noon Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square on May 31, 2026, at the Vatican. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Pope Leo XIV’s apology for slavery is a start. Now the church must seek atonement.

June 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Pope Leo XIV must act on the church's mea culpa by crusading against the racist and bigoted policies of President Donald Trump.

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters during a tour of his ballroom project construction site at the White House campus in Washington on May 19, 2026. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Laura Washington: The GOP doesn’t need to stick with Donald Trump’s ballroom plans. Perhaps a wrestling ring?

May 20, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If the GOP is desperate to please Donald Trump, I am happy to offer alternatives to the White House ballroom project.

Many people plan on giving their mother flowers for Mother's Day. Here a worker prepares flowers for sale on July 18, 2025, in Chicago. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Some people struggle with Mother’s Day. Can you ‘opt out’?

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

I lost my irreplaceable mom in 2023. I don’t plan for Mother's Day any longer, but the last thing I need is a reminder.

Kamala Harris, former vice president of the United States and 2024 presidential candidate, reacts to the cheering crowd during the National Action Network (NAN) Convention in New York, April 10, 2026. (Angelina Katsanis/AP)

Laura Washington: Kamala Harris’ unforgivable transgression

April 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Kamala Harris was imperfect, as all presidential contenders are, but she was also set up for failure.

Edgar Reyes, from the taqueria Tacombi, places an order in a delivery robot nearby on West Randolph Street on Feb. 6, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: What’s the fuss over delivery robots?

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

Chicago's delivery robots join services like Uber and Lyft in helping us through mundane tasks and burdens to an easier life.

Crowds walk past the iconic lion statues outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue on Nov. 14, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago 2050: Laura Washington wants to bring glittering downtown institutions to the city’s neighborhoods

March 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The lions of the Art Institute of Chicago would love to extend their kingdom, to cavort in an iconic Chicago neighborhood.

Then-Chicago mayoral candidates Willie Wilson, center, and Brandon Johnson chat at a mayoral forum at Steinmetz College Prep, Jan. 31, 2023. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s reelection campaign will be in trouble if Willie Wilson runs again

March 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If Willie Wilson gets in the mayoral race, Black votes will come out of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hide and leave a hole in his chances.

James Talarico, a state representative running for the Democratic nomination for Senate, speaks during a campaign stop in Round Rock, Texas, on March 3, 2026. (Tamir Kalifa/The New York Times)

Laura Washington: In 2026, voters are deciding with their heads rather than their hearts

March 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

James Talarico plodded down the middle to appeal to centrist Democrats and independents. That positioning makes him more electable for the fall.

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller answers a question on health care policy as state Sen. Robert Peters, left, and former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. sit beside her during a forum for candidates running in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District at St. Paul and the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Chicago on Jan. 17, 2026. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Will Black voters care about AIPAC’s role in Chicago congressional races?

February 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Pro-Israeli interests have jumped into heated contests in historically Black districts, sparking controversy and blowback.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during the Take Back Your Health Tour event at the state Capitol building, Feb. 4, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (George Walker IV/AP)

Laura Washington: SNAP junk food bans punish poor families

February 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

America is drowning in fat, but new laws banning SNAP recipients from buying soda and candy are insulting and demeaning.

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