Judge sentences West Side gang leader to life in prison, calls him ‘boss to a bunch of losers’ Reputed boss of Four Corner Hustlers sentenced to life in prison for racketeering conviction involving four gangland murders.

Judge sentences West Side gang leader to life in prison, calls him 'boss to a bunch of losers' www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/20/w...

Indiana Toll Road allowed to increase tolls for possible Bears stadium

Indiana Toll Road allowed to increase tolls for possible Bears stadium

NFL wants to meet with Chicago Bears after the draft for an update on their stadium project

The NFL’s stadium committee has scheduled a meeting with the Chicago Bears the week of April 27 to explore the latest on the team’s bid for a new home.

Votes in doubt to override Mayor Brandon Johnson veto protecting Chicago tipped wage hike

Votes in doubt to override Mayor Brandon Johnson veto protecting Chicago tipped wage hike

///BREAKING/// The 7th Circuit has ordered former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain RELEASED from federal prison pending a new trial.

Cook County assessor: Tax break hopes for hundreds dashed because of bad applications

A group of hopeful Cook County property owners eager to get breaks on their tax bills are likely to end up disappointed.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious housing plan for Illinois: More four-flats, looser rules A cornerstone initiative from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker would loosen zoning restrictions for multiunit buildings, drawing excitement from housing advocates but concerns from local officials.

NEW: I wrote about Gov. JB Pritzker’s ambitious, abundance-coded housing plan. 4 units on basically any standard size Chicago residential lot? ADUs? Looser parking minimums? potentially yes, in our backyard >> www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/12/j...

Making the Marx Brothers The Marx brothers were born in New York, but Chicago was the true birthplace of the act called the Marx Brothers, one of the world’s funniest.

Sunday's Chicago Tribune includes a story I wrote about the Marx Brothers' formative years living in Chicago. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/12/m...

Rainbow PUSH taps youngest son of late Rev. Jesse Jackson as new leader

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition has selected its new leader.

Chicago cultural affairs nominee advances amid praise, concerns about department

Aldermen advanced Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to lead Chicago’s cultural efforts Thursday over objections tied to a whistleblower lawsuit against her.

Illinois deja vu? Appellate arguments for ex-Speaker Michael Madigan to focus on line between politics and bribery. On Thursday, attorneys for imprisoned former House Speaker Michael Madigan are expected to ask the appeals court for a reversal of his February 2025 conviction and 7 1/2-year sentence.

Only in Illinois alert: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, pardoned by President Trump for an array of corruption convictions, has been paid $130k by ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore to lobby Trump for a pardon in her conviction of bribing House Speaker Michael Madigan
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/09/a...

Activists threaten lawsuit over Chicago Housing Authority CEO vote

A group of community activists announced Tuesday they plan to sue the Chicago Housing Authority over last month’s CEO vote.

Early story on the Bulls cleaning house (lots more to come):

Chicago Sky trade Angel Reese for 2 future 1st-round picks after 2 rocky seasons The Chicago Sky made a blockbuster trade Monday to send two-time WNBA All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for a pair of first-round picks.

The Chicago Sky traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream.

After months of open dissatisfaction from the star, this move closes another short-lived (and unsuccessful) chapter of the team’s history.

Pencils down, strike begin: U of I Springfield professor union is going on strike

Tenured and tenure-track faculty at the University of Illinois Springfield campus went on strike Friday morning over demands for better pay and protections against AI.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling defends CPD’s response to ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ during heated forum Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Thursday sought to clarify CPD’s response to Operation Midway Blitz during an often contentious meeting of the Community Commission for Public Safety an...

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling defends CPD’s response to ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ during heated forum www.chicagotribune.com/2026/04/03/p...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoes tipped wage freeze, setting up City Council showdown

BREAKING: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoes tipped wage freeze, setting up City Council showdown

In texts, Gov. Pritzker, Comptroller Susana Mendoza split over Trump-backed school tax credit program in Illinois A text last month from Gov. JB Pritzker to Comptroller Susana Mendoza is exposing a split between the two Illinois Democrats over whether the state should participate in a federal tax incentive program championed by Republicans and signed…

A text from Gov. JB Pritzker to Comptroller Susana Mendoza is exposing a split between the two Illinois Democrats over whether the state should participate in a federal tax incentive program championed by Republicans and signed into law by President Trump.

Pat Hynes defeats Assessor Fritz Kaegi, as Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wins Democratic primary Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded to challenger Pat Hynes in the race for the Democratic nomination, while Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle declared victory against challenger Ald. Brendan Reilly in Tuesday’s primary.

Fritz Kaegi conceded defeat in his bid for a third term as Cook County assessor to rival Pat Hynes in Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

And Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle declared victory against challenger Brendan Reilly.

Daniel Biss wins race for Democratic nomination to succeed Jan Schakowsky in Illinois 9th District Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the 9th Congressional District, which stretches from the North Side to Wilmette to Crystal Lake, according The Associated Press.

With 90% of the estimated vote tallied, Daniel Biss had 29.6%, progressive commentator Kat Abughazaleh had 25.6% and state Sen. Laura Fine of Glenview had 20.4%, leading the 15-candidate field, according to The Associated Press.

AP: State Sen. Emil Jones III, who faced federal corruption charges, wins Democratic nomination for his South Side seat National Guard member Demi Palecek is in the lead in a five-person race for an Illinois House seat on Chicago’s North Side.

“I’m humbly grateful. My constituents saw through the mess the feds tried to put me in.”
State Sen. Emil Jones III, who faced federal corruption charges, wins Democratic nomination for his South Side seat
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/17/i...

BREAKING: Donna Miller wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District, reports the Associated Press. trib.al/2O8q6sO

Cook County Board seats in play, with new faces guaranteed among 17 commissioners Up for grabs in primary elections Tuesday are two suburban districts covering much of the Southland and northwest suburbs, and another on the city’s North Side.

The 17-member Cook County Board is guaranteed at least four new faces next year thanks to two retirements and two ambitious congressional hopefuls.

Cook County Board president race hinges on whether voters want steady hand or new course Toni Preckwinkle is running for her fifth term. If she’s ultimately successful, she would equal former President George Dunne as the board’s longest-serving leader.

Toni Preckwinkle is chasing history, trying to match the record tenure as leader of the Cook County Board. Her opponent in the Democratic primary is trying to make that longevity her biggest weakness.

Retirement of US Rep Danny Davis sparks scramble — and flood of PAC dollars — for seat Danny Davis’ retirement comes after three decades of representing the 7th Congressional District and has triggered over a dozen candidates for the Democratic nomination.

Retirement of US Rep Danny Davis sparks scramble — and flood of PAC dollars — for seat @aliceyin.bsky.social w the rundown www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/11/r...

Illinois 2026 GOP primary for governor features four candidates and one familiar face but big donors sit out The Republican primary for governor four years ago was impossible to miss with massive spending and six candidates. This year, apart from candidate Darren Bailey, almost nothing is the same.

The Republican primary for governor four years ago was impossible to miss with massive spending and six candidates. This year, apart from candidate Darren Bailey, almost nothing is the same.

Jacqueline Jackson walks behind the casket of her husband, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, as their sons Jesse Jackson Jr., left, and U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, right, walk as pallbearers after Jesse Jackson's funeral service at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Jacqueline Jackson walks behind the casket of her husband, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, as their sons Jesse Jackson Jr., left, and U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, right, walk as pallbearers after Jesse Jackson's funeral service at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Ken Abrom holds programs for the funeral of the Rev. Jesse Jackson after attending the hours-long service at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Yusef Jackson, center, hugs his brother, U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, as the Rev. Al Sharpton, right, comforts both men after transporting the casket of their father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, into a hearse following his funeral service at Rainbow PUSH Coalition Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

The Rev. Jesse Jackson departs Rainbow PUSH Coalition for the final time

930 E. 50th St., Chicago

A fresh approach to fostering youth in Illinois carries hope Welcome to Hope House, a model for fostering children and teens developed by the Chicago-based nonprofit One Hope United. The premise is a stable household with a built-in support team to help the …

Welcome to Hope House, a model for fostering children and teens developed by the Chicago-based nonprofit One Hope United. The premise is a stable household with a built-in support team to help the young residents thrive.

Final farewells for Rev. Jesse Jackson put focus on his impact on Black women leaders A public service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson will be held in Chicago on Friday, with former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden in attendance.

A public service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson will be held in Chicago on Friday, with former Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden in attendance.

‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out’: Illinois officials cheer Kristi Noem’s ouster at Homeland Security Noem’s ouster was celebrated by local officials and activists, who said good riddance to the woman who oversaw unprecedented immigration raids in the Chicago area.

"Spreading of lies"
"An incompetent leader"
"She will not be missed in Chicago."
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out"
Illinois officials cheer Kristi Noem’s ouster at Homeland Security:
www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/05/t...