Olivia Olander

Olivia Olander is the Chicago-based state government reporter at the Tribune, covering Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly and state agencies. She previously covered labor and employment policy for POLITICO in Washington. Olivia is a graduate of Northwestern University and grew up in the suburbs of San Diego.

Miguel Alvelo-Rivera, candidate for the 40th Illinois House District, canvasses in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood on Feb. 24 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Democrats are trying desperately to tie their opponents to ICE, including in one key state House race

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

Illinois Democrats had been largely unified against President Donald Trump’s Chicago-area immigration enforcement crackdown. Now, the issue is being used as a political wedge in this spring’s Democratic primary races.

Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions after a roundtable about housing in his ceremonial office following his annual State of the State and budget address, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker suggests no matter how Indiana vs. Illinois fight goes, new Bears home won’t be in Chicago

February 20, 2026 at 6:07 p.m.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, "I think we're down to the question of whether they’re going to build in Arlington Heights or they’re going to build something in the state...

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. gestures after the House Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 27, a stadium authority bill that will create the financial structure for a Chicago Bears stadium, at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis on Feb. 19, 2026. The bill still needs to be approved by the Indiana House. (Andy Lavalley/for the Chicago Tribune)

Next stop Hammond? Indiana lawmakers approve Chicago Bears stadium bill, taking a big step.

February 19, 2026 at 8:58 p.m.

Indiana lawmakers took another step Thursday toward potentially luring the Chicago Bears to the state, as a key committee approved a plan to create an agency that would build a...

Gov. JB Pritzker greets lawmakers before delivering his annual State of the State and budget address Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

In State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker pitches affordability and Illinois resilience to Trump

February 18, 2026 at 8:09 p.m.

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said the Trump administration’s actions cutting federal funding for various programs have cost the people of Illinois $8.4 billion.

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...

Rob Karr, of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, attends a meeting in Springfield in 2017. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)

Federal judge keeps in place key parts of Illinois’ landmark law banning some credit card swipe fees

February 10, 2026 at 7:07 p.m.

Passed in 2024 and set to take effect this July, the law bans certain so-called swipe fees on the tax and tip portions of customers’ bills, with a goal of...

Incoming U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky is the center of attention on Nov. 13, 1998, as she and the new representatives gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington for a formal picture. (Pete Souza/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois 9th District race tests long Jewish legacy in 15-way Democratic Party fight to succeed Schakowsky

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

Illinois’ 9th Congressional District has an almost unbroken tradition of Jewish representation but that history now collides with a changing district and a crowded, high-stakes Democratic Party field.

State Sen. Laura Fine, from left, Phil Andrew and Bushra Amiwala, Democratic candidates for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, speak to the Tribune Editorial Board on Jan. 29, 2026. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Millions raised fuel fierce fights for 5 open Illinois congressional seats ahead of March primary

February 3, 2026 at 3:47 p.m.

The five heavily blue congressional districts that span from Algonquin through parts of Chicago and down to Danville have nearly four dozen Democrats competing to replace three retiring members of...

Stickers given out to voters during Election Day on Nov. 5, 2024. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Top candidates for the US House in Illinois’ 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th and 9th districts for the 2026 election

February 6, 2026 at 4:29 p.m.

Politicians still have time to throw their hats into one of the rings, but here are the top candidates for several US House districts next year in Illinois.

Deputy Gov. Grace Hou, left, and Gov. JB Pritzker participate in a roundtable discussion on Jan. 20, 2026, with Illinoisans, including Daphne Williams and Maritza Patricio-Guzmán, on the impact of funding cuts during the first year of Trump’s second presidential term. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

State finds nearly $500 million in budget reserves amid federal funding uncertainty

January 22, 2026 at 6:07 p.m.

The reserves identified in this year’s budget primarily affect health and human services, with $361.5 million of the $481.6 million identified falling into that category.

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