Talia Soglin

Talia Soglin covers transportation and labor for the Tribune. Her work reporting on business and the workplace has been recognized by the Chicago Headline Club and the National Headliner Awards.

The North America Stevedoring Co. facility, pictured on June 25, 2026, sits along the mouth of the Calumet River on Chicago's Southeast Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Labor strife at Chicago’s port comes with political implications for Mayor Brandon Johnson

July 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Labor strife at Chicago’s port comes with political implications for Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Tom Kotarac, of the Regional Transportation Authority board, speaks to interim CTA president Nora Leerhsen before a City Club transit panel at Maggiano's Banquets in River North on Jan. 7, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle proposes new transit board members

July 1, 2026 at 3:55 p.m.

Toni Preckwinkle sent the list of her proposed new transit board appointees — who must be approved by the Cook County board — to county commissioners in a letter dated...

Activists raise fists in support of the One Fair Wage movement outside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield, Feb. 6, 2024. The minimum wage for tipped workers will increase to $12.96 on July 1, a very slight increase from the current hourly minimum of $12.62. Tipped workers whose tips do not bring them up to the full minimum wage must be paid the difference by their employer. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Minimum wage in Chicago and Cook County set to increase July 1

June 29, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Chicago’s minimum wage will increase July 1, when it will hit $17.05 for most workers across the city. Cook County's minimum wage will go up to $15.40.

Cook County sheriff’s police officers ride the CTA “L” Green Line, June 24, 2026, through Oak Park and Chicago’s West Side in an effort to deter crime and nuisance violations on the transit system. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Cook County sheriff signals support for dedicated transit law enforcement agency

June 25, 2026 at 10:51 a.m.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, whose police officers have been deployed on the CTA for several months, said Wednesday that a dedicated police force should be responsible for law enforcement...

Cars and trucks travel the Tri-State Tollway between the Thornton Quarry, left, and the Thornton Composite Reservoir on Aug. 8, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois drivers could face higher tolls next year

June 18, 2026 at 2:01 p.m.

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority on Thursday proposed its first passenger toll hike since 2012.

Former dancer DeCarri Robinson sits in her home in the Chatham neighborhood on June 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Admiral Theatre to pay $200,000 to settle EEOC lawsuit

June 18, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

An exotic dance club in Albany Park will pay $200,000 and institute training to resolve a racial discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the EEOC.

A memorial for Riley O’Neil is on a bike rack in front of 3226 S. Halsted St. on June 7, 2026. O’Neil was struck and killed riding his bicycle there on June 5, 2026. (Peter Tsai/Chicago Tribune)

Court records show man who allegedly doored Riley O’Neil on Halsted Street has history of traffic infractions

June 15, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Last week's fatal crash in Bridgeport has reignited conversations about bike safety and infrastructure in Bridgeport and across Chicago.

Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard speaks during an RTA board meeting in Chicago’s Loop on June, 1, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

RTA chair sends veiled warning shot to Mayor Brandon Johnson over CTA leadership

June 11, 2026 at 1:01 p.m.

RTA board Chair Kirk Dillard made it clear in a letter sent to transit officials this week: Any changes to executive leadership at the CTA now need the OK of...

A CTA Orange Line train passes above as Lincoln Park High School Junior ROTC cadets stand in formation for the Memorial Day Parade on Dearborn Street on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Chicago. The CTA is reducing the length of train cars on the Orange, Brown and Purple Line trains during the weekends, although they will make exceptions for bigger events. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

CTA offers explanation for shortening some weekend trains

June 9, 2026 at 3:09 p.m.

The Chicago Transit Authority is defending its decision to reduce the length of trains on some "L" lines on weekends this summer.

Hundreds of cyclists stage a “die-in” in the 3100 block of South Halsted Street in Chicago on June 8, 2026, in memory of Chicago Department of Transportation employee Riley O'Neil, who was killed while cycling on June 5. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Riley O’Neil, bicyclist killed in Bridgeport crash, remembered at vigil: ‘People loved him’

June 9, 2026 at 1:19 p.m.

A memorial bike ride and vigil was held for Riley O’Neil, a Chicago Department of Transportation worker who dedicated much of his career to bicycle safety and infrastructure in Chicago.

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