Ray Long

Ray Long is a former Chicago Tribune investigative reporter, a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist with experience at state Capitol, City Hall, courts and county beats. He covered two governors who went to prison and a state senator who went to the White House. He wrote The House That Madigan Built: The Record Run of Illinois' Velvet Hammer."

Senate President Don Harmon looks over the paperwork of a House bill during debates on the Senate floor at the Illinois Capitol building on May 29, 2025, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon faces potential $9.8 million fine for improperly accepting campaign cash

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

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon has vowed to appeal the case alleging he broke a state election law designed to rein in big money in political campaigns.

Senate President Don Harmon looks over the paperwork of a House bill during debates on the Senate floor at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on May 29, 2025. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Ethics legislation stalls in Springfield as Senate president tries ‘brazen’ move that would have helped his election case

June 8, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon tried to pass legislation that would have wiped clean a potential multimillion-dollar election fine in pending case.

Former Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after jurors found him guilty on 10 counts in his racketeering case on Feb. 12, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Madigan attorneys say feds’ call for 12.5-year sentence is ‘draconian’; prosecutors say he’s worth $40 million in new court filings

June 14, 2025 at 6:53 a.m.

Former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan's attorneys have attacked prosecutors' "draconian" recommendation that he serve 12½ years in prison in the ComEd scandal, likening the proposed term to a life...

Seeking stiff sentence for Madigan, feds allege secret effort to block rules on legislators practicing before state tax board

June 3, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Asking a federal judge to sentence Madigan to 12 1/2 years in prison, prosecutors alleged he was working behind the scenes to exert his unmatched political powers to protect his...

Ray Long

All Stories

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon faces potential $9.8 million fine for improperly accepting campaign cash

Ethics legislation stalls in Springfield as Senate president tries ‘brazen’ move that would have helped his election case

Madigan attorneys say feds’ call for 12.5-year sentence is ‘draconian’; prosecutors say he’s worth $40 million in new court filings

Seeking stiff sentence for Madigan, feds allege secret effort to block rules on legislators practicing before state tax board

Feds want lengthy 12 1/2-year prison sentence for ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan, while defense asks for probation

Illinois lawmakers’ latest perk — continuing education credits for going to work

IRS criminal investigators in Chicago being ‘deputized’ as immigration enforcers under Trump administration plan

Gov. JB Pritzker, lawmakers moving sluggishly on Illinois ethics law reforms despite uptick in convictions

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon appeals $4M dispute with state elections board

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon disagrees $4 million he took in political donations was improper