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.

State Rep. Jay Hoffman introduces a resolution on the House floor during the legislative session at the Illinois Capitol, Oct. 30, 2025, in Springfield. Hoffman is the energy bill’s main House sponsor. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker set to approve energy bill boosting battery storage for renewables despite debate over costs

October 31, 2025 at 12:08 a.m.

Democrats said moves would eventually lower electric bills in Illinois, while Republicans noted a surcharge on consumer bills would partly back battery installations.

Gov. JB Pritzker answers reporters' questions about the House transit funding plan during a visit to the Curtin Family Farm, Oct. 29, 2025, in Taylorville. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker skeptical about House Democrats’ tax and fee plans to address public transit

October 29, 2025 at 7:29 p.m.

After Gov. JB Pritzker was not enthusiastic about tax and fee proposals to overhaul the Chicago region’s mass transit systems, at least one fellow Democrat said he would like to...

A group of people wear transportation-themed T-shirts and cardboard cutouts while waiting to deliver petitions to legislators during the legislative session at the Illinois Capitol, Oct. 28, 2025, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois House Democrats introduce new transit funding plan, eye billionaire and entertainment taxes

October 29, 2025 at 10:33 a.m.

With time running short in the Illinois General Assembly’s fall veto session, Democratic lawmakers proposed new taxes on many large entertainment events and billionaires to raise the $1.5 billion advocates...

Gov. JB Pritzker talks at the Economic Club of Chicago at the Sheraton Grand downtown on Oct. 21, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker establishing an ‘accountability commission’ on Trump administration’s immigration raids

October 23, 2025 at 5:35 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking to stockpile videos, testimonials and allegations of misconduct tied to Trump administration immigration raids to track and scrutinize actions with the goal of holding federal...

House Minority Leader Rep. Tony McCombie gives a GOP response after Gov. JB Pritzker delivered his budget address in Springfield, Feb. 19, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker and GOP House leader bickered in texts after conservative influencer filmed Pritzker’s home

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

Gov. JB Pritzker sought support from Illinois Republicans after a conservative online provocateur filmed his home. Instead, he got into an argument over text.

Mount Prospect resident Lisa Porter screams at federal agents and tells them to leave as they sit in their SUV along East Busse Avenue on Oct. 19, 2025. Porter, several neighbors and local patrollers were upset to see so many federal agents in their community searching on public and private property for a man agents say is a dangerous criminal. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Upset neighbors interrupt federal immigration manhunt in Mount Prospect

October 21, 2025 at 8:18 a.m.

Neighbors said a man being detained by federal agents ran away, prompting officers to search backyards and stop vehicles.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates exits after addressing the Chicago Public Schools Board of Education at its meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

CTU’s Stacy Davis Gates elected head of Illinois teachers union

October 19, 2025 at 7:14 p.m.

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates will lead the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the IFT announced Saturday after its election.

Dusk falls on the U.S. Capitol on March 5, 2025, in Washington. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Congressional candidates loan themselves large sums trying to stand out in competitive Illinois races

January 28, 2026 at 6:09 a.m.

See how candidates for Congress are doing in raising campaign cash in the four most-competitive districts in Illinois.

Gov. JB Pritzker meets in Chicago with former military generals and admirals on Oct. 16, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker says of his $1.4 million in gambling winnings in 2024: ‘I like to play cards’

October 16, 2025 at 3:34 p.m.

The billionaire governor said he won the money gambling during a single trip with his wife and friends to Las Vegas.

The former Arlington International Racecourse is seen at sunrise on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmaker introduces bill that could hinder Chicago Bears’ move to suburb as legislative session begins

October 14, 2025 at 5:52 p.m.

State Rep. Kam Buckner’s bill would require that stadium subsidies received by teams be repaid with interest if a franchise fails to meet commitments or relocates.

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