The Editorial Board – Page 2

Grab the scissors. Our midterms ‘bedsheet ballot’ is here.

October 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Here is the Tribune Editorial Board's traditional "bedsheet ballot," a list of our endorsements in the November 3 general election. Take this with you the voting booth. (Yes, it’s legal.)

“I Voted” cards at the 34th Ward early voting site, March 4, 2024, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Tribune Editorial Board endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election

October 18, 2026 at 7:10 a.m.

The Tribune editorial board’s tradition of making political endorsements is a cornerstone of this newspaper’s history.

Gov. JB Pritzker, left, and Republican nominee challenger Darren Bailey prepare for their gubernatorial debate at WTTW-Ch. 11 on Oct. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Editorial: Two-term incumbent JB Pritzker and downstate farmer Darren Bailey vie in gubernatorial rematch

October 19, 2026 at 12:37 p.m.

It's Pritzker versus Bailey in the race for Governor of Illinois

Douglass Park’s fields are void of most grass and instead filled with water and mud on Sept. 21, 2026, in Chicago, following heavy rains from the three-day music festival Riot Fest. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Editorial: Vote ‘no’ on a permanent festival space for Chicago

October 19, 2026 at 9:58 a.m.

Yes, the parks are a wreck after they get trampled on for several days, but the festival sponsors pay for their restoration.

A ShotSpotter device remains on a pole near Midway International Airport, Feb. 25, 2025. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Editorial: Vote ‘yes’ on bringing back a gunshot detection service in Chicago

October 17, 2026 at 5:25 a.m.

Since the mayor canceled the ShotSpotter contract we’ve seen dozens of cases of gunshot victims lying wounded or dead for hours.

An “I Voted!” sticker is handout out at The Lincoln Lodge in Chicago's Logan Square on Election Day, March 17, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Editorial: Vote ‘no’ on Cook County millionaires tax referendum

October 17, 2026 at 5:20 a.m.

What voters are led to believe would be strictly a tax hike on the rich also would be a tax on employers in a state already lagging in job growth.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart speaks during the Cook County Democratic Party primary slating at the I.B.E.W hall on July 17, 2025, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Editorial: Tom Dart for Cook County Sheriff

October 17, 2026 at 5:10 a.m.

We've long been impressed with Tom Dart. He has shown willingness to become part of the solution to the CTA safety problem.

Jamair Atkins, left, Political Director for Cook County Board Commisioner, 1st District, Tara Stamps, speaks with Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle, center, and Aldophus “Al” Kindle(cq), of Chicago Friday, March, 13, 2026, at the Aspire Center in Chiago’s Austin neighborhood. (Josh Boland/baiduhai)

Editorial: Toni Preckwinkle for Cook County President

October 17, 2026 at 5:05 a.m.

Toni Preckwinkle promised promised a new initiative designed to give her more power to get property tax bills out on time.

Patrick Hynes talks with supporters after defeating Fritz Kaegi for the Democratic nomination for Cook County Assessor on primary election night at Salerno's Pizzeria & Sports Bar, March 17, 2026, in Hodgkins. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Editorial: Patrick J. Hynes for Cook County Assessor

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

Lyons Township Assessor Patrick J. Hynes, 53 previously worked for more than 20 years in the office of the Cook County assessor.

Don Tracy, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, walks the Septemberfest Labor Day Parade in Schaumburg on Sept. 7, 2026. (John Starks/Daily Herald)

Editorial: Don Tracy and Julianna Stratton, running for Senate in the darkening shadow of Donald Trump

October 16, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Dick Durbin's Senate seat comes open in the midst of Trump 2.0.

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