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.

People attend a Senate executive committee hearing in room 212 late into the evening during the spring legislative session at the State Capitol, May 30, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois lawmakers roll out $55B budget plan as Bears stadium talks back to square one on final day of session

May 31, 2026 at 7:13 a.m.

With one day left until the Illinois General Assembly's scheduled adjournment, lawmakers worked to find tax increases and revenue diversions to finance a new state budget while a plan to...

Then-Republican candidate for Illinois treasurer, DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan, meets with the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in 2014. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)

New Illinois GOP chair elected as voting data shows record-low primary turnout and suburban voter collapse

May 19, 2026 at 1:46 p.m.

Former DuPage County Auditor Bob Grogan was elected as the new chair of Illinois’ Republican Party, replacing Kathy Salvi of Mundelein, who was elected to the post in July 2024.

Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria, left, speaks with former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at a Code for America Summit held in Chicago on May 8, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Pete Buttigieg tells tech workers Trump’s government dismantling gives Democrats a ‘clean slate’ for 2028

May 8, 2026 at 6:24 p.m.

The former transportation secretary and South Bend mayor, Pete Buttigieg spoke before more than 1,000 people attending the annual summit of Code for America at a South Loop hotel.

Members of the community argue with federal officers during an immigration enforcement action in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, Nov. 8, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicagoans overwhelmingly oppose federal immigration raids and fear agents at polling places, Suffolk-Tribune poll finds

April 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Three-quarters of city residents polled said they strongly or somewhat disapproved of last fall's Operation Midway Blitz raids and 68% are concerned agents will return at polling sites for the...

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to the media on March 2, 2026, at the Polish Museum of America in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

More Chicagoans view Mayor Brandon Johnson unfavorably than favorably ahead of 2027 mayoral race, Suffolk-Tribune poll says

April 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In a new poll of Chicago adults, 44% viewed Mayor Brandon Johnson unfavorably, while just 34% viewed him favorably. Potential opponents in next year's mayoral race face problem of not...

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey speaks to the media after his primary victory at an Illinois GOP unity breakfast in Naperville, March 18, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey seeks distance from Trump, but MAGA shadow looms

April 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Darren Bailey 2.0 was supposed to be a humbler campaign, but the Illinois GOP nominee for governor's attempts to distance himself from Trump may leave him without a base in...

Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, right, greets supporters at his primary election night party in Springfield on March 17, 2026. (Daryl Wilson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Darren Bailey, lacking big fundraising help, spent just $2.30 per vote to win Illinois GOP governor primary

April 16, 2026 at 5:13 p.m.

GOP nominee for Illinois governor Darren Bailey Bailey raised only $450,938 to win the nomination and spent nearly $700,000, a far cry from four years ago when he had millions...

Gov. JB Pritzker, right, speaks with the Rev. Al Sharpton at the National Action Network Convention in New York on April 9, 2026. (Angelina Katsanis/AP)

Gov. JB Pritzker warns Trump will send ICE agents to polling places as he calls on voters to push them aside

April 9, 2026 at 5:56 p.m.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is among the Democratic Party’s most ambitious politicians courting African American activists at an annual conference led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Housing on Chicago's South Side, April 26, 2023. Property taxes imposed by government bodies within Cook County’s borders have grown at twice the rate of inflation over the past three decades, according to a study by the Cook County treasurer's office. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Cook County property taxes doubled the rate of inflation in past 30 years, Treasurer Maria Pappas study finds

March 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas’ report calls on Democratic leaders that run state government to enact significant reforms and find ways for local taxing agencies to cut spending.

Reg Weaver waves to a crowd of educators after being elected president of the National Education Association, July 3, 2002, in Dallas. (Dawn Dietrich/AP)

Reginald ‘Reg’ Weaver, first Black president of the state’s largest teachers union, dies at 86

March 25, 2026 at 3:25 p.m.

Reginald “Reg” Weaver, who taught in Harvey’s public schools, became the first Black president of the Illinois Education Association before going on to lead the National Education Association. He died...

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