Dan Petrella

A Lombard native, Dan Petrella has written for newspapers from Chicago to Carbondale. Before joining the Tribune in 2017, he was Springfield bureau chief for Lee Enterprises newspapers. He's also been an editor and reporter at The State Journal-Register in Springfield. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Fans wait in line to enter the Chicago Bears Draft Party at Soldier Field on April 23, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL commissioner as Arlington Heights and Indiana sites remain at forefront

May 20, 2026 at 5:52 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about potential Bears stadium legislation and maintained the Bears and NFL are only considering a new stadium in Arlington Heights...

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during an interview, March 18, 2026, after his primary election victory. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois passed a law to expose diversity gaps at top nonprofits. Almost none are complying.

May 17, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Nearly two years after Illinois passed a law requiring large nonprofits to disclose the demographic makeup of their boards and officers, the measure has shed little light on who actually...

Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks during a press conference to highlight the bid to bring the 2028 Democratic National Convention back to Chicago at 875 North Michigan Avenue, formerly known as the John Hancock Center, on May 13, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago hopes Trump will cooperate as it bids to repeat as host for Democratic National Convention in 2028

May 13, 2026 at 6:10 p.m.

Democratic Party officials wrapped up a three-day visit to Chicago to assess which of the five competing cities will be the best site to host the national convention Aug. 7-10,...

Maya Cazares, from left, and her mother, Rosita Cazares, talk with Patty García, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, at Las Carnitas Uruapan in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, Nov. 14, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Patty García gets Congressional Progressive Caucus endorsement in race to replace US Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García

May 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As many as five candidates, including three Democrats running as independents, are expected to challenge Democrat Patty García in the race to replace Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García in Illinois' 4th...

David Axelrod, left, speaks to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as part of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics speaker series at the university on May 8, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stands by her comments that ‘You can’t earn a billion dollars’ during Chicago event

May 8, 2026 at 8:21 p.m.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez holds off criticizing Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a billionaire who is also considering a run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

Gov. JB Pritzker, center, signs the Reproductive Health Act into law with bill sponsors state Sen. Melinda Bush, left, and state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, right, at the Chicago Cultural Center on June 12, 2019. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois abortion rights amendment still not a reality as Gov. JB Pritzker and Democrats focus elsewhere

May 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Lack of movement to enshrine abortion rights into the Illinois Constitution reflects the high bar for amendments and a focus on fighting rollbacks in Republican-led states.

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

Planned Parenthood endorses independent Mayra Macías in race to replace retiring US Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García

April 22, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Mayra Macías, who served on the board of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, is one of at least three independent candidates planning to run against Democratic nominee Patty García in the...

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Gov. JB Pritzker talk with the press during a candidate meet-and-greet at Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen, March 17, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker pumped $10 million into Juliana Stratton’s Senate primary win through outside PAC

April 17, 2026 at 2:55 p.m.

The full extent of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's financial support of his two-time running mate's Senate bid was only revealed in newly released federal campaign disclosures. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton...

U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García speaks during a press conference at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights headquarters in the Loop on Sept. 28, 2025. García is stepping down at the end of his term. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Independents seek opening in 4th District, upended by US Rep. García’s controversial retirement

March 20, 2026 at 1:02 p.m.

The race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García is emerging as the most competitive federal race on Illinois' November general election ballot following his controversial exit announcement.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, greets Amtrak police while thanking voters March 18, 2026, at the Great Hall in Union Station the morning after winning her primary election. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton looking to make history in US Senate race against ex-Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy

March 18, 2026 at 5:07 p.m.

If she defeats Republican nominee Don Tracy in November, Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton would become just the sixth Black woman — and the second from Illinois — to be...

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