Rick Pearson – Page 7

Delegates celebrate after Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, accepted the presidential nomination at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Chicago aiming for a repeat as its named a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention

March 2, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Chicago hosted the 2024 DNC and is a finalist — along with Atlanta, Boston, Denver and Philadelphia — to host the Aug. 7-10, 2028, event.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the ranking member, talks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Feb. 12, 2025, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Leading Illinois Democrats denounce President Donald Trump’s military strikes in Iran

February 28, 2026 at 2:57 p.m.

The U.S. military’s strikes on Iran provided added impetus for leading Illinois Democrats to step up their criticism of Republican President Donald Trump's leadership.

Republican gubernatorial candidates Ted Dabrowski, from left, James Mendrick and Rick Heidner debate at WFLD-Ch. 32 in Chicago on Feb. 24, 2026. Previous GOP gubernatorial nominee Darren Bailey, who is running again, wasn't present. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

As primary looms, Illinois Republican governor candidates say they oppose abortion-is-murder bill

February 25, 2026 at 4:23 p.m.

The legislation has almost no chance of passing but has nonetheless forced GOP candidates to deal with the issue of abortion, a subject they have fared poorly on in Illinois.

In her U.S. Senate campaign's first TV commercial, Juliana Stratton features six people – including U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth – exclaiming "F--- Trump," as Stratton, Illinois' lieutenant governor, runs in the March 17 Democratic primary. Gov. JB Pritzker, who endorsed Stratton, makes a cameo in the ad. (Juliana for Illinois)

Juliana Stratton ad with anti-Trump expletive draws attention in Democratic primary race for US Senate

February 20, 2026 at 4:42 p.m.

The ad features six people — including incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth — repeating the phrase, “F−−− Trump." The version to run on broadcast stations will bleep out the expletive.

Gov. JB Pritzker greets lawmakers before delivering his annual State of the State and budget address Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

In State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker pitches affordability and Illinois resilience to Trump

February 18, 2026 at 8:09 p.m.

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said the Trump administration’s actions cutting federal funding for various programs have cost the people of Illinois $8.4 billion.

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, center, speaks during a debate with her fellow candidates, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, left, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, on Feb. 16, 2026, at Fox WFLD-Ch. 32, in Chicago. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Juliana Stratton’s $25-per-hour minimum wage plan draws fire from rivals in US Senate race in Illinois

February 17, 2026 at 1:47 p.m.

In a debate hosted by Fox-32, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi supported a phased-in minimum wage increase but chided Stratton by saying her plan would never pass Congress.

GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey, center, speaks with attendees during a Lincoln Day dinner hosted by the Logan County Republican Central Committee at the American Legion on Feb. 5, 2026, in downstate Lincoln. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Illinois Republican governor candidate Darren Bailey rebukes national GOP for post mocking Pritzker’s weight

February 16, 2026 at 4:52 p.m.

The official GOP X account used Valentine’s Day to post a generated image of Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker sitting at a table piled with food and declaring, “My love...

Former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, right, talks before a Fair Maps Illinois panel discussion on Aug. 19, 2025. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Leaders suspend latest effort to alter Illinois Constitution and curb partisanship in legislative mapmaking

February 13, 2026 at 4:48 p.m.

Bill Daley and Ray LaHood said the timing is “not ripe” amid a polarized climate shaped by mid-decade congressional gerrymandering wars nationwide.

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, 16th, questions Mayor Brandon Johnson before the House Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025, during a hearing on Capitol Hill about sanctuary cities and immigration policy. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Illinois Republicans weigh fealty to Trump as president’s agenda faces backlash and shutdown threat

February 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois’ three House Republicans — all loyal Trump supporters who reliably vote with the president — may have recalibrate as they weigh in on increasingly unpopular positions.

GOP U.S. Senate contenders Casey Chlebek, from left, Jeannie Evans and former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy prepare for their debate on Feb. 11, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

3 Illinois GOP rivals for US Senate sidestep criticizing President Donald Trump in debate but note differences

February 12, 2026 at 5:19 p.m.

Don Tracy, Jeannie Evans and Casey Chlebek appeared Wednesday night at an hourlong debate. Each made some missteps as they contended a Republican could win the race to succeed retiring...

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