Olivia Olander –

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) office building at 6201 S. Emerald Drive in Chicago, Jan. 17, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Illinois DCFS official improperly approved $1.4 million in extra pay for employees, inspector general says

October 26, 2026 at 7:09 p.m.

The official, Kimberly Bates, resigned after the investigation. In a phone interview Monday, she said she had simply continued a practice that existed at the department before she was hired,...

U.S. Senate Republican nominee Don Tracy, left, and Democrat nominee Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, right, sit onstage with anchor Brandis Friedman, center, during a live televised U.S. Senate candidate forum at the WTTW-Ch. 11 studios on Oct. 20, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

In Illinois’ only faceoff for US Senate, Tracy backs Trump’s policies and Stratton vows to stand up to president

October 21, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

In their only scheduled debate, Republican Don Tracy defended Trump’s war with Iran and tariffs and branded Democrat Juliana Stratton a socialist. Stratton vowed to check presidential power and called...

Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, right, speaks with Chicago voters during a Northside Republicans candidate meet-and-greet at the Billy Goat Tavern in Wrigleyville on Oct. 12, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Democrats lead fundraising in Illinois and federal races as megadonors fail to materialize for Darren Bailey

October 16, 2026 at 7:11 p.m.

Newly filed campaign finance records show Republican Darren Bailey entered the final month before the Nov. 3 election with $431,787 in cash on hand, a disadvantage of better than 100...

Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions at a press conference to announce the expansion of Illinois’ medical debt relief program on Oct. 15, 2026, in the Cook County Health building. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker says Illinois housing plan likely waits but Bears stadium and data center bills alive

October 15, 2026 at 5:21 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker said his plan to allow multifamily homes on single-family lots probably won’t pass in the fall veto session, though Bears stadium and data center legislation remain in...

Mayoral candidate Bill Quinlan speaks to media in the Daley Center on Oct. 14, 2026, after a judge dismissed his lawsuit challenging mayoral candidates Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Rep. Mike Quigley and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, arguing each defendant is unlawfully pursuing two offices at once. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Chicago mayor race: Judge tosses lawsuit seeking to force Giannoulias, Quigley, Pappas to pick one campaign

October 14, 2026 at 4:27 p.m.

A Cook County judge dismissed a lawsuit by Chicago mayoral candidate William J. Quinlan that sought to force three rivals to choose between seeking reelection this fall and running for...

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, left, and the Rev. John Elleson pose at a 9th Congressional District candidate forum at the Skokie Public Library on Sept. 24, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Democrat Daniel Biss aims to keep party’s hold on Illinois’ 9th District vs. GOP’s John Elleson, who raises $0

October 14, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Democrat Daniel Biss, Evanston’s mayor, casts himself as a ‘normie leftist’ backing big ideas and opposing Trump, while GOP pastor John Elleson campaigns without raising money in a district Democrats...

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton celebrates her win in the Democratic primary election for U.S. Senate on March 17, 2026, at CineCity Studios Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Illinois Senate race: Juliana Stratton, F-bomb ads behind her, leans on primary performance versus Don Tracy

October 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic Senate nomination with fiery anti-Trump ads and progressive stands. Now the heavy favorite against Republican Don Tracy, the former mediator is running a...

Senate GOP nominee Don Tracy chats with supporters at a fundraising event in Decatur on July 22, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Illinois Senate race: Republican Don Tracy, a onetime Democrat, makes long-shot bid against Juliana Stratton

October 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois Republican nominee Don Tracy faces Juliana Stratton, the state's Democratic lieutenant governor, in a Senate race where he'd need to win over not only a fractured GOP but also...

President Donald Trump presents the Presidents Cup trophy to USA team captain Brandt Snedeker after the U.S. won the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club, Sept. 27, 2026, in Medinah. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Mostly receptive crowd greets Trump at Presidents Cup in Medinah while dozens protest outside the club

September 27, 2026 at 1:49 p.m.

It was Trump’s first public appearance in the Chicago area since he won the 2024 presidential election, and comes a year after his administration surged aggressive immigration enforcement for two...

A U.S. Border Patrol agent reaches over Chicago police officers while threatening to use a canister against protesters in Brighton Park on Oct. 4, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Keeping federal agents in check still a challenge one year after Operation Midway Blitz

September 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A year after Operation Midway Blitz, encounters involving immigration authorities continue to leave the public and elected officials alike grasping for answers and seeking accountability.

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