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.

Leo Diaz pays for parking at a Park Chicago box on West Fulton Street in the West Loop on May 27, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

A shot to fix Chicago’s parking meter deal? Aldermen test chances amid sale.

June 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Aldermen want to find ways to force a New York hedge fund aiming to buy the much-loathed parking meter lease from Chicago Parking Meters LLC to at least tweak the...

State Sen. Bill Cunningham updates reporters on a Senate proposal to have a new stadium for the Chicago Bears built in Illinois during the final night of the spring legislative session on May 31, 2026, in Springfield. After the spring session adjourned, Cunningham, in a sports talk radio interview, described his frustration in working with the Bears through negotiations. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago Bears’ stadium tactics over years of negotiations leave some Illinois leaders frustrated

June 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Chicago Bears announced plans to move to Indiana. Some Illinois political leaders pointed fingers at the Bears over the breakdown in negotiations, while others are holding out hope for...

Darren Bailey, candidate for Illinois governor, speaks during the public comment portion of the monthly city council meeting at Chicago City Hall on May 20, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois GOP governor nominee Darren Bailey seeks to block independent from Nov. 3 ballot

June 3, 2026 at 7:59 p.m.

Both the state Republican and Democratic parties also formally objected to the candidacy of perennial governor candidate Richard Mayers to try to place himself on the ballot for governor under...

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza speaks about why she is running for Chicago mayor during a news conference at Taquería Los Camales in Little Village on June 3, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announces another run for Chicago mayor

June 3, 2026 at 6:34 p.m.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza announced Wednesday she will again run for mayor of Chicago.

Racers do warmup laps during the NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 165 on July 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

NASCAR likely making a comeback in Chicago next year, sources say

June 2, 2026 at 4:08 p.m.

After a one-year hiatus, NASCAR will return to the streets of Chicago next year, sources told the Tribune.

Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions from reporters at City Hall about the plans for a Chicago Bears stadium, June 1, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson sees opening in latest stadium proposal to keep Bears in Chicago

June 1, 2026 at 6:13 p.m.

In Arlington Heights, Mayor Jim Tinaglia said officials were "disappointed" that Illinois lawmakers failed to pass legislation, while Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott said he's "optimistic."

Mayor Brandon Johnson presents Pope Leo XIV, a life-long White Sox fan, with a Chicago Cubs baseball cap on May 28, 2026, at the Vatican. (Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media)

Trump attacks Pope Leo XIV for meeting with Mayor Brandon Johnson

May 30, 2026 at 8:02 p.m.

Trump’s social media attack comes after Chicago's mayor visited the Chicago-born pope with a delegation of city leaders on Thursday.

Mayor Brandon Johnson leaves at the end of a news conference at City Hall on May 27, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson pushing sweeping changes to renter laws and landlords bristle

May 29, 2026 at 4:29 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is proposing a sweeping overhaul to city rules governing renting, and landlords are already organizing against the effort.

Mayor Brandon Johnson pauses at the end of a news conference at Chicago City Hall on May 27, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson touts faster Chicago police responses post-ShotSpotter

May 27, 2026 at 5:39 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson argued Wednesday that Chicago police are doing a better job without gunshot detection technology like the controversial ShotSpotter system he got rid of.

Mayra Macías speaks to supporters at Back of the Yards Coffeehouse in Chicago as she kicks off a petition drive to put her name on the November ballot in the 4th Congressional District race, Feb. 28, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

4th District independents get signatures they need to take on Democratic nominee

May 26, 2026 at 6:11 p.m.

Three independent candidates submitted thousands of signatures to get on the November ballot in Illinois’ 4th Congressional district, teeing up a rare contested general election.

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