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.

Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi speaks during a joint meeting between the Illinois Republican Party State Central Committee and the Republican County Chairmen's Association on Aug. 14, 2025, at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois GOP urges early, mail voting despite Trump’s baseless fraud claims and calls to nationalize elections

February 6, 2026 at 12:58 p.m.

The dichotomy between the state GOP's efforts and the Republican president's comments reflects the difficulties the Illinois political party faces as it struggles in a state where Democrats dominate.

Major Democratic U.S. Senate contenders are U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. (Chicago Tribune photos)

Gov. JB Pritzker throws Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton a $5 million lifeline for her US Senate bid

February 1, 2026 at 3:47 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker had been expected to open his campaign wallet to help Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton's US Senate bid in the March 17 Democratic primary since he endorsed her...

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at Chicago Union Station on Dec. 16, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois advances in bid to move up 2028 Democratic presidential primary date, but hurdles remain

January 31, 2026 at 5:10 p.m.

National Democrats chose to advance all 12 states that want to move up to be part of the early, pre-Super Tuesday primaries. The states will make presentations this spring.

Moderator Dean Kaisner, left, speaks to GOP candidates for governor Rick Heidner, from second from left, Darren Bailey, James Mendrick and Ted Dabrowski during a forum hosted by the Tazewell County Republican Party at Five Points in downstate Washington on Jan. 15, 2026. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Illinois’ Republican candidates for governor push crime as top issue despite data showing declines

February 1, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

The Republican race for governor features a paradoxical narrative in which candidates loyal to President Trump are campaigning against a crime wave he says no longer exists.

U.S. Senate candidates U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton prepare before their debate on Jan. 29, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Democratic hopefuls for US Senate agree Trump poses constitutional crisis but other differences emerge

January 30, 2026 at 3:27 p.m.

The three main Democratic candidates for US Senate agreed in saying the nation is facing a constitutional crisis under President Donald Trump, yet small but distinct differences among the candidates...

U.S. Senate contenders U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, from left, and Raja Krishnamoorthi and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton shake hands after debating on Jan. 26, 2026, at the University of Chicago. The debate was sponsored by WBEZ-FM 91.5 and the Chicago Sun-Times. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Juliana Stratton takes progressive lane, only one who calls for abolishing ICE in Democratic US Senate debate

January 27, 2026 at 2:40 p.m.

The three major Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate, Juliana Stratton, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly, clashed Monday over who would be the strongest opponent to President Donald Trump and...

Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, a candidate for the congressional seat held by Danny Davis, speaks during a candidate forum at Malcolm X College on Nov. 3, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

New Melissa Conyears-Ervin ad in Illinois’ 7th District race highlights federal campaign spending loophole

January 22, 2026 at 11:20 a.m.

New campaign commercial for Melissa Conyears-Ervin is technically for state central committeewoman spot, allowing her to boost her congressional bid to replace U.S. Rep. Danny Davis with state campaign funds.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski talks in Chicago on Jan. 6, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Republican hopeful Ted Dabrowski defends TV ad likening Gov. JB Pritzker to communist Poland, Ecuador turmoil

January 20, 2026 at 5:53 p.m.

Ted Dabrowski was also critical of GOP rival Darren Bailey's loss four years ago to Pritzker, saying of the downstate farmer and former lawmaker: “I don't think Darren understood how...

Republican gubernatorial candidates Rick Heidner, facing from left, former state Sen. Darren Bailey, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and Ted Dabrowski listen to moderator Dean Kaisner during a candidate forum in Washington, Illinois, Jan. 15, 2026. (Troy Stolt/for the Chicago Tribune)

Upstart Illinois Republican governor candidate Rick Heidner spent nearly $250,000 to get name on ballot

January 16, 2026 at 4:44 p.m.

In the GOP race for governor, campaign finance reports show businessman Heidner with $1.16 million in cash on hand, narrowly behind the nearly $1.25 million conservative activist Ted Dabrowski reported.

U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, 12th, speaks during a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee about the impact of economic policies on farm country on Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

US Supreme Court says GOP congressman can challenge Illinois’ mail-in voting law but more legal fights remain

January 14, 2026 at 2:45 p.m.

But another case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging Mississippi’s five-day post-Election Day ballot counting law, could render Rep. Mike Bost’s challenge moot.

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