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.

U.S Sen. Bernie Sanders I-Vermont, at lectern, and New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, second from right, at a campaign rally for House primary candidates in New York on June 18, 2026. From left: Brad Lander, Claire Valdez, Sanders, Mamdani and Darializa Avila Chevalier. (Angelina Katsanis/The New York Times)

Laura Washington: The socialists and moderates in the Democratic Party must work together to regain Congress

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

No matter how hard left-leaning Democrats try to portray themselves in the majority, they need to face the truth. The center is the majority.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley talks with supporters after announcing his candidacy for Chicago mayor at the Uptown Theatre on June 27, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Should Chicago mayoral candidates be allowed to run for two offices at the same time?

July 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Some Illinois politicians are so enamored with getting elected that they accept their party’s nominations for one office, while plotting for another.

A branch of the Chicago Public Library at the Obama Presidential Center campus June 3, 2026, in Chicago’s Jackson Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: The public library at the Obama Presidential Center rises above it all

June 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The public library at the Obama center will be a gift to the community, where we can seek credibility and substance. A literary sanctuary.

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.

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