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.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted a photo on social media showing the Texas National Guard deploying on Oct. 6, 2025. (Gov. Greg Abbott's office)

National Guard deployment moves ahead in Illinois after judge declines state’s suit to block Trump call-up

October 7, 2025 at 6:03 a.m.

Attorneys for the Trump administration said in court that Texas National Guard units could begin operations by Tuesday, the same day Illinois Guard members have been ordered to report.

State Sen. Karina Villa talks about people in her town being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Sept. 15, 2025, in West Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Democratic lawmakers take on activist role amid President Trump’s immigration crackdown

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

Illinois lawmakers have reaccelerated their activist origins as they find themselves unable to change things from within and have no role in broader immigration policy-making.

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Sept. 30, 2025. (Pete Marovich/The New York Times)

President Donald Trump cancels $583M in energy projects for Illinois, one of many blue states affected

October 3, 2025 at 4:20 p.m.

Exelon, the University of Illinois and the Gas Technology Institute in Des Plaines are among those in Illinois affected by Trump administration cuts following the federal government shutdown.

A member of the U.S. Park Service puts up a closed sign at the Washington Monument on Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The federal government shut down much of its operations overnight after Congress failed to pass a bipartisan funding bill. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty)

What a federal government shutdown means for Illinois

October 1, 2025 at 7:02 p.m.

With the government shutdown, here’s some things to know and how Illinois officials feel about the shutdown.

President Donald Trump speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia. (Alex Wong/Getty)

Pritzker likens Trump to Putin for suggesting military use Chicago, other ‘dangerous cities’ as training grounds

September 30, 2025 at 6:16 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s comments came after Trump told top military brass on Tuesday that American cities run by Democrats should serve as “training grounds” for troops.

Gov. JB Pritzker, center, and state and local leaders hold a news conference on Sept. 29, 2025, to discuss possible federal military deployments to Illinois. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Pritzker: Feds seeking to deploy military to Illinois to protect ICE agents

September 29, 2025 at 6:35 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday said he had received a report that federal officials are seeking to deploy troops to Illinois in support of President Donald Trump's surge in immigration...

A protester talks to U.S. Border Patrol agents near the Newberry Library in Chicago’s Gold Coast on Sept. 28, 2025, after they walked through downtown as part of an immigration blitz show of force. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois leaders rip ‘public relations stunt’ day after Border Patrol agents patrolled busy Chicago streets

September 29, 2025 at 6:38 p.m.

Governor, mayor and Chicago's two downtown aldermen criticized the patrolling of federal immigration agents through much of the area on Sunday, saying it was a performative stunt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection boats head east along the Chicago River toward Lake Michigan on Sept. 25, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

US Border Patrol boats dock along Chicago Harbor Lock as part of immigration blitz

September 26, 2025 at 5:48 a.m.

U.S. Border Protection is making its presence known on Lake Michigan, the only Great Lake that doesn't have a foreign border.

Protesters, including candidates for the 9th Congressional District, are enveloped in a cloud of gas released by federal agents while they attempt to block a vehicle at the Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Sept. 19, 2025. Bushra Amiwala, beige sweater, center right, a Skokie school board member, stands next to Kat Abughazaleh, a progressive content creator. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, far left with gray hair, wears a black face mask. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Broadview ICE facility becomes backdrop for candidates to signal immigration stance and raise campaign funds

September 25, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Participating in protests offers candidates an opportunity to demonstrate their opposition to federal immigration policies while also appealing to their party’s base and raise campaign cash.

Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions at Harold Washington College in Chicago’s Loop on Sept. 15, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker asks state agencies to reserve 4% of funds while blasting Trump economic policies

September 23, 2025 at 4:22 p.m.

State agencies ordered to find 4% in cuts for reserves to mitigate the effects of uncertainty over President Donald Trump's economic policies.

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