Jake Sheridan

Jake Sheridan covers local politics and the City Council for the Tribune's City Hall team. He previously worked as a general assignment reporter for the Tribune's Metro desk. He is a graduate of Duke University. He welcomes tips on important news, overlooked problems and colorful stories via X and email.

Illinois 4th Congressional District candidate Mayra Macías, right, shakes hands with a supporter ahead of a hearing with the Illinois State Board of Elections in Chicago’s Loop on June 26, 2026. Macías met with the board of elections to respond to questions about legitimate signatures on her candidacy petition. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

2 independents fight to stay on the Illinois 4th District ballot amid machine politics claims

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

A final decision on the two candidates seeking to run as independents in the 4th Congressional District race cases could come as soon as July 14 from the Illinois Board...

Mayor Brandon Johnson engages with the crowd during a press conference announcing the introduction of the Protecting Renters Ordinance at Daley Plaza on June 29, 2026, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson pushes City Council to adopt tenants’ rights package

June 29, 2026 at 5:03 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson pitched the plan as a way to strike back at corporate landlords who he blamed for soaring housing costs.

A motorist uses an app on her phone to pay for parking on North Wabash Avenue in Chicago, June 25, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago aldermen rip proposed parking meter buyers’ ICE ties in hearing

June 25, 2026 at 6:23 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has repeatedly invoked a non-disclosure agreement to justify not sharing information with the public and aldermen as the City Council vets a plan to sell Chicago’s...

Mayor Brandon Johnson signs an executive order establishing an Office of Gun Violence Reduction on June 25, 2026, at City Hall. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson establishes gun violence reduction office with executive order

June 25, 2026 at 3:46 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Thursday establishing an Office of Gun Violence Reduction, in what he said was an attempt to cement his anti-violence strategies.

Matthew Brewer, former interim CEO and board chair of the Chicago Housing Authority, declares his candidacy for mayor of Chicago on June 25, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Former CHA board chair announces run for Chicago mayor, decries City Hall dysfunction

June 25, 2026 at 3:38 p.m.

Matthew Brewer, previously the interim CEO and board chair of the CHA, declared his candidacy in the 2027 mayoral race.

Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration filed suit against Airbnb and a host, alleging they violated Chicago regulations.

Mayor Brandon Johnson files lawsuit against Airbnb and host company

June 23, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is suing Airbnb and one of its most-active Chicago hosts, alleging they broke and evaded city laws regulating short-term rentals.

The Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, executive director of Live Free Illinois, speaks alongside other faith leaders and activists at a press conference at Chicago City Hall on June 22, 2026, to call for a gun violence prevention office. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago faith leaders call for new Department of Gun Violence Prevention

June 22, 2026 at 6:09 p.m.

A coalition of Chicago faith leaders and activists wants the city to create a new top anti-violence office at City Hall.

A parking meter sits in the Near North neighborhood of Chicago on June 24, 2021. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to cite parking meter NDA, even as owner says it was lifted

June 19, 2026 at 6:34 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson claims a confidentiality agreement bars him from sharing information about the sale of Chicago’s parking meter system with aldermen.

Chicago's Northerly Island on Aug. 27, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen want ‘Pope Leo XIV Northerly Island’ and ‘Obama Way’ at Trump Tower

June 17, 2026 at 9:04 p.m.

Aldermen proposed ordinances Wednesday to rename Northerly Island after Pope Leo XIV and marking part of Wabash Avenue — the strip in front of Trump Tower — “Barack Hussein Obama...

The Chicago Fire soccer stadium is under construction at the north end of The 78 development in Chicago's South Loop on May 12, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Fire stadium site should get $425 million subsidy, Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes

June 17, 2026 at 5:17 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed a $425 million taxpayer subsidy Wednesday for public infrastructure at the tract where the Chicago Fire are building a stadium.

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