Rick Pearson

Rick Pearson has been the Tribune’s chief political reporter since 1998, after joining the paper a decade earlier as a state government correspondent. He’s covered Illinois and national politics for more than four decades, including seven presidential races and seven governors. He appears frequently on local and national TV and radio broadcasts.

Republican gubernatorial candidates Ted Dabrowski, from left, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner debate at WFLD-Ch. 32 in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2026. Previous GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, who is running again, wasn't present. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

As primary looms, Illinois Republican governor candidates say they oppose abortion-is-murder bill

February 25, 2026 at 4:23 p.m.

The legislation has almost no chance of passing but has nonetheless forced GOP candidates to deal with the issue of abortion, a subject they have fared poorly on in Illinois.

In her U.S. Senate campaign's first TV commercial, Juliana Stratton features six people – including U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth – exclaiming "F--- Trump," as Stratton, Illinois' lieutenant governor, runs in the March 17 Democratic primary. Gov. JB Pritzker, who endorsed Stratton, makes a cameo in the ad. (Juliana for Illinois)

Juliana Stratton ad with anti-Trump expletive draws attention in Democratic primary race for US Senate

February 20, 2026 at 4:42 p.m.

The ad features six people — including incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth — repeating the phrase, “F−−− Trump." The version to run on broadcast stations will bleep out the expletive.

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.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, center, speaks during a debate with her fellow candidates, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, left, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, on Feb. 16, 2026, at Fox WFLD-Ch. 32, in Chicago. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Juliana Stratton’s $25-per-hour minimum wage plan draws fire from rivals in US Senate race in Illinois

February 17, 2026 at 1:47 p.m.

In a debate hosted by Fox-32, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi supported a phased-in minimum wage increase but chided Stratton by saying her plan would never pass Congress.

GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey, center, speaks with attendees during a Lincoln Day dinner hosted by the Logan County Republican Central Committee at the American Legion on Feb. 5, 2026, in downstate Lincoln. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey rebukes national GOP for post mocking Pritzker’s weight

February 16, 2026 at 4:52 p.m.

The official GOP X account used Valentine’s Day to post a generated image of Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sitting at a table piled with food and declaring, “My love...

Former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, right, talks before a Fair Maps Illinois panel discussion on Aug. 19, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Leaders suspend latest effort to alter Illinois Constitution and curb partisanship in legislative mapmaking

February 13, 2026 at 4:48 p.m.

Bill Daley and Ray LaHood said the timing is “not ripe” amid a polarized climate shaped by mid-decade congressional gerrymandering wars nationwide.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, 16th, questions Mayor Brandon Johnson before the House Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025, during a hearing on Capitol Hill about sanctuary cities and immigration policy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Republicans weigh fealty to Trump as president’s agenda faces backlash and shutdown threat

February 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois’ three House Republicans — all loyal Trump supporters who reliably vote with the president — may have recalibrate as they weigh in on increasingly unpopular positions.

GOP U.S. Senate contenders Casey Chlebek, from left, Jeannie Evans and former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy prepare for their debate on Feb. 11, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

3 Illinois GOP rivals for US Senate sidestep criticizing President Donald Trump in debate but note differences

February 12, 2026 at 5:19 p.m.

Don Tracy, Jeannie Evans and Casey Chlebek appeared Wednesday night at an hourlong debate. Each made some missteps as they contended a Republican could win the race to succeed retiring...

Gov. JB Pritzker pays his respects after leaving flowers at a memorial Jan. 28, 2026, for Alex Pretti outside the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center in Chicago. Pretti, an ICU nurse, was fatally shot by federal officers in Minneapolis. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker urges Democratic governors to confront Trump, seek accountability for immigration actions

February 10, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said President Donald Trump and his administration need to be held accountable for their aggressive immigration enforcement actions — even if that accountability comes after the...

Competing for a U.S. Senate seat, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton attend a public forum at the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local Union 130 UA headquarters in the West Loop on Feb. 6, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Democratic Senate contenders clash over PAC money, ICE abolition in heated Illinois primary debate

February 6, 2026 at 6:48 p.m.

U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi called Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton a hypocrite over fundraising, while Stratton reiterated her call to abolish the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

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