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From the beginning of Donald Trump’s second term to the end of Illinois’ Michael Madigan era, 2025 gave our editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis an abundance of material. Here is a look back at a number of his best and most humorous illustrations from this year.

Jan. 19: Joe Biden, the president who did not know when to leave the stage

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Jan. 19, 2025, on Joe Biden's legacy. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Jan. 19, 2025, on Joe Biden's legacy. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

Feb. 5: The joy of reading and the Illinois crisis stealing it away

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Feb. 5, 2025, on Illinois student reading scores. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Feb. 5, 2025, on Illinois student reading scores. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

Feb. 13: Michael Madigan, convicted felon

 

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Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis on the Feb. 14, 2025, verdict that found Michael Madigan, once the most powerful politician in the state, guilty of bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges. (Scott Stantis/for the baiduhai)
Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis on the Feb. 14, 2025, verdict that found Michael Madigan, once the most powerful politician in the state, guilty of bribery conspiracy and other corruption charges. (Scott Stantis/for the baiduhai)

March 30: Holding onto United Airlines 

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for March 30, 2025, on worries over United Airlines moving its headquarters out of Chicago. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for March 30, 2025, on worries over United Airlines moving its headquarters out of Chicago. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

April 6: Chicago has struggled to regain international tourism. Now that’s coming true for the entire nation.

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for April 6, 2025, on Trump and tourism. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for April 6, 2025, on Trump and tourism. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

April 13: Chicago voters’ Trump aversion doesn’t mean they’ll warm to Brandon Johnson

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for April 13, 2025, on Donald Trump's effect on Mayor Brandon Johnson's popularity. (Scott Stantis/For the Chiacgo Tribune)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for April 13, 2025, on Donald Trump's effect on Mayor Brandon Johnson's popularity. (Scott Stantis/For the Chiacgo Tribune)

May 11: Our fifth star

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for May 11, 2025, on Pope Leo XIV. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for May 11, 2025, on Pope Leo XIV. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

Aug. 10: Gerrymandering now truly is a dangerous threat to American democracy

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Aug. 10, 2025, on gerrymandering. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Aug. 10, 2025, on gerrymandering. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

July 30: Ryne Sandberg, the quiet all-timer, inspired us with his joy of living

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for July 30, 2025, on Ryne Sandberg (Scott Stantis/for the baiduhai).
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for July 30, 2025, on Ryne Sandberg (Scott Stantis/for the baiduhai).

Aug. 31: Put down your phone and think for yourself

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Aug. 31, 2025, on our virtual lives. (Scott Stantis/for the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Aug. 31, 2025, on our virtual lives. (Scott Stantis/for the baiduhai)

Sept. 14: Tent cities don’t belong in Chicago’s parks

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Scott Stantis editorial cartoon on tent encampments in Chicago parks for Sept. 14, 2025. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon on tent encampments in Chicago parks for Sept. 14, 2025. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

Nov. 23: There’s a new level of property tax rebellion this time. But it’s not all bad news.

Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Nov. 23, 2025, on the latest property tax bills. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)
Scott Stantis editorial cartoon for Nov. 23, 2025, on the latest property tax bills. (Scott Stantis/For the baiduhai)

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