Politics

A Chicago Bears digital billboard located just off of Route 53 flashes advertisements at sunrise at the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights on May 23, 2025. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

What Arlington Heights-area candidates have to say about Bears stadium proposals

By Christopher Placek

October 29, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

Most — but not all — candidates for Illinois General Assembly seats in and around...

Former President Barack Obama speaks in support of Democratic candidates Sen. Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms during a rally ahead of the Georgia Primary Election Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, Morrow, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Donald Trump in Ohio and Barack Obama in Georgia make closing stretch appeals to midterm voters

By Will Weissert

October 29, 2026 at 6:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump’s whirlwind campaign to keep Republicans in control of Congress after next week’s...

FILE – Migrants congregate on the banks of the Rio Grande at the U.S. border with Mexico on Dec. 20, 2022, where members of the Texas National Guard cordoned off a gap in the U.S. border wall. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)

How Trump’s immigration crackdown sparked a backlash that could boomerang in the midterms

By Nicholas Riccardi

October 29, 2026 at 6:20 a.m.

President Donald Trump’s effort to fulfill his promises on immigration has turned into a backlash,...

President Donald Trump walks from Marine One to board Air Force One, Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Trump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on hold

By Will Weissert

October 16, 2026 at 9:46 p.m.

President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping...

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

By Rick Pearson

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

Newly filed campaign finance records show Republican Darren Bailey entered the final month before the...

Mayor Brandon Johnson greets supporters before speaking at a news conference touting expanded hours for the CARE mental health first responder program on the Near West Side on Oct. 2, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Mayor Brandon Johnson fundraising trails challengers, campaign report shows

By Alice Yin

October 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

Last quarter Mayor Brandon Johnson pulled in one of the lowest fundraising hauls out of...

The Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Former Rep. Frances Hurley faces Republican Christine McGovern for 18th Senate

By Elena Tittel

October 16, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.

Republican Christine McGovern and former 35th District Rep. Frances Hurley face each other in a...

President Donald Trump speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House during an event for first responders, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump increased investments in drugmakers that benefited from Medicare exemptions, Democrats say

By Fatima Hussein

October 16, 2026 at 7:10 a.m.

Investments in pharmaceutical companies made on behalf of President Donald Trump increased significantly after he...

Senior Jackson Young, 18, fills out his ballot during an early voting event on Oct. 15, 2026, at Oak Park and River Forest High School. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

‘Teen Takeover for Democracy’ draws election officials to Oak Park and River Forest High School

By Cam'ron Hardy

October 16, 2026 at 12:30 p.m.

Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon visited Oak Park and River Forest High School to encourage...

Alexander Angeles, 18, left, heads to a family car with his brother, Lando Torres, to get to an evening work shift on Oct. 15, 2026, in the Southwest Side of Chicago. Angeles is a candidate for the Chicago school board District 8B. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

In Southwest Side school board race, a teenager takes on a Chicago police detective

By Kate Armanini

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

Hancock High School grad Alexander Angeles is running against police detective Juan Ignacio Gonzalez for...

Chicago Board of Education president candidates Jessica Biggs, from left, Hilario Dominguez and Victor Henderson. (Arthur Maiorella and Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

How do the candidates for president of Chicago’s school board plan to boost student achievement?

By Kate Perez

October 16, 2026 at 1:49 p.m.

The three candidates for Chicago school board president have varied plans improving student success in...

Gov. JB Pritzker walks a hallway after his gubernatorial debate with Republican nominee challenger Darren Bailey at the WTTW-Ch. 11 on Oct. 13, 2026, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Gov. Pritzker tax returns show $8.5 million income for 2025, no blackjack windfall; trust records still secret

By Dan Petrella

October 15, 2026 at 6:24 p.m.

Partial returns released before the Nov. 3 election show Gov. JB Pritzker paid $2.2 million...

FILE – An FBI seal is displayed on a podium before a news conference at the field office in Portland, Ore., Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Authorities investigate letters with ‘suspicious substances’ sent to congressional, election offices

By Lisa Mascaro

October 15, 2026 at 5:47 p.m.

Federal authorities are investigating letters with “suspicious substances” that have been mailed to congressional and...