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.

Former President Barack Obama waves to the crowd as he leaves the stage Aug. 20, 2024, during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: If Donald Trump can run for a third term, so can Barack Obama

October 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

If Donald Trump seeks a third term, former President Barack Obama could mount a comeback to save our democracy.

Jesse Jackson Jr. at the Daley Center in April 2017. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Former US Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. explains how he hopes to win voters back

October 16, 2025 at 9:36 a.m.

Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. wants to regain his 2nd Congressional District seat. He’s got a brutally long way to go.

Megan Herrmanns, left, and Carolyn Gergits sit and chat while Herrmanns’ dog Indigo sits nearby on the dog-friendly patio at Paradise Park in Wicker Park on Sept. 22, 2025. “Pet lovers feel guilty leaving their dogs at home,” Josh Iachelli, who co-owns several Chicago restaurants including Paradise Park, told the Tribune. “If you have a pet, you want to be able to have those guys with you more hours of the day.” (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Dogs belong outside, not under my feet at a restaurant.

October 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Dogs already have the reign of our streets and parks, and now some people want them allowed inside restaurants.

President Donald Trump responds to a question by NBC reporter Yamiche Alcindor on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One on Sept. 7, 2025 in Washington. (Roberto Schmidt/Getty)

Laura Washington: Donald Trump and MAGA are targeting Black women

September 17, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

President Donald Trump and his supporters have degraded a wide range of accomplished African American women.

Gov. JB Pritzker walks through downtown Chicago on Aug. 25, 2025, on his way to an event where city, state and federal leaders denounced President Donald Trump’s possible military deployment into the city. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Chicago needs real help with crime, not National Guard troops loitering on our streets

September 3, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Of course, the Democrats oppose crime, but they are choosing to entrust local law enforcement with our safety, not the National Guard.

Guests cheer during the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association County Chairs' Brunch on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Illinois Democrats may be kumbaya-ing now, but the nastiness is coming

August 20, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Upcoming primary campaigns for open U.S. House and Senate seats in Illinois will be brutal and fiercely competitive.

A marijuana joint is rolled at a two-day cannabis festival in Hartford, Michigan, in 2022. (Andy Lavalley/for the Post-Tribune)

Laura Washington: Are dangerous car crashes being perpetuated by cannabis?

August 6, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Billboards hawk cannabis dispensaries and personal injury attorneys in southwestern Michigan. Is weed leading to more accidents?

Susana Mendoza drops off her nominating petitions for Chicago mayor at the Cook County Administration Building on Nov. 26, 2018. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Chicago mayoral wannabes are already edging to the gate

July 23, 2025 at 2:03 p.m.

The potential Chicago mayoral race competition is getting itchy. My wild card: Lisa Madigan who might resume her political career.

People line up to enter the Art Institute of Chicago on July 6, 2025, during the NASCAR Chicago Street Race in Grant Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: The Art Institute is slowly getting back to normal

July 9, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

After struggling to recover from the pandemic, Chicago's Art Institute is regaining its footing.

Sidetrack owners Art Johnston, left, and husband José “Pepe” Peña watch the 50th Chicago Pride Parade from the roof of their bar on June 30, 2019. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: An iconic LGBTQ+ bar at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport? Fabulous.

June 18, 2025 at 11:11 a.m.

If Sidetrack's owners can get a location at O’Hare airport, it would be the first gay-owned, gay-themed bar at any airport in the nation.

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