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.

Federal agents walk past Chicago police officers standing in the alley behind the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office, run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the South Loop on June 4, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Crime is down in Chicago, but there may be trouble ahead

June 11, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Crime is down in Chicago, but a police officer's death and President Donald Trump's immigration raids could cause tensions to rise.

Gov. JB Pritzker, center, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, right, tour Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, Feb. 28, 2019. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Is there room in 2028 for both Gov. JB Pritzker and Rahm Emanuel?

June 4, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

In their own party, Emanuel, 65, is an old warrior whose time as a wise man may have passed. Pritzker, 60, is a fresher face, but is little known outside...

Mayor Brandon Johnson greets supporters outside the U.S. Capitol after testifying in front of the House Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025, during a hearing about sanctuary cities and immigration policy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Keep at it, mayor. Equity is the best tool you have against the White House.

May 28, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson does not need to apologize for leaning heavily into his Black voter base.

Elisabeth Johnson, 14, of Cincinnati, wears an American flag outside Soldier Field before attending the first night of Beyoncé’s "Cowboy Carter" Chicago tour stop May 15, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Waving the flag could turn the tables on Donald Trump and the GOP

June 20, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

Republicans paint Democrats as America haters. It’s time for Democrats to turn the tables.

Newspapers for sale at City Newsstand on July 26, 2019, in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty)

Laura Washington: Journalism jobs may be in decline, but local news still has a bright future

May 14, 2025 at 4:57 p.m.

Money has corrupted national media icons and poisoned the waters for news consumers, but local news represents journalism’s bright future.

Potential candidates for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's Illinois Senate seat are, from left, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. So far, Stratton and Kelly have officially stated their intention to run. (Brian Cassella and Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Three Black women may vie for US Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat. Will they split the vote?

May 7, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Black women voters are Democrats' most reliable base. In a crowded Illinois Senate race, that vote can hold sway or be divided and conquered.

President Donald Trump arrives to welcome the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles to the South Lawn of the White House on April 28, 2025, in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Laura Washington: Donald Trump achieves a notorious distinction in his first 100 days

April 30, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

At this point, President Donald Trump has the lowest approval of any president in the past 80 years.

People attend Expo Chicago at Navy Pier on Sept. 19, 2019, in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Expo Chicago is a petri dish for the arts

April 23, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Expo Chicago, the city's biggest arts gathering, arrives at the right time to take the temperature of our challenging arts landscape.

A person crosses Lake Street near Michigan Avenue in Chicago at sunset on March 20, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Where are the parents of teens participating in takeovers?

April 16, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Chicago is struggling with teen takeovers. Mom and dad, what are you doing to keep your teens in line? What help do you need?

People protest against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk during the national Hands Off! day of action march through downtown Chicago on April 5, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Laura Washington: Democrats must stop the chat and get to organizing

April 9, 2025 at 8:35 a.m.

Perhaps if Democrats had done less talking and more strategizing, the 2024 presidential election might have turned out differently.

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