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.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at the site of what will be the Chicago Fire soccer team's new home, a 22,000-seat, open-air stadium at the north end of the area called "The 78" near Roosevelt Road in Chicago's South Loop, seen behind him. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson keep up Bears stadium pitches

March 4, 2026 at 6:59 a.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. JB Pritzker continued mounting their public pitches for where the Chicago Bears should build their next stadium in Illinois.

Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions after a recent roundtable at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker says he didn’t travel on Jeffrey Epstein’s plane following Bill Clinton testimony

March 3, 2026 at 4:19 p.m.

Republicans have pounced on the testimony video of ex-President Bill Clinton suggesting Gov. JB Pritzker and his wife were on a plane with him belonging to Jeffrey Epstein.

Congressional candidates for the 9th District include, in top row from top left, Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh, Phil Andrew, state Sen. Mike Simmons and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss. In bottom row are, from left, state Sen. Laura Fine, state Rep. Hoan Huynh and Bushra Amiwala. (Brian Cassella, John J. Kim, Terrence Antonio James and Eileen T. Meslar /Chicago Tribune)

Big money and national issues collide in ‘quarter-century opportunity’ to succeed US Rep. Jan Schakowsky

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

With Schakowsky retiring, 15 Democrats are battling in Illinois’ 9th District primary, a closely watched race reflecting the party’s Trump-era shift, rising outside money and a generational change in Chicago...

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.

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