Bill Ruthhart

Supporters board a bus at Lincoln Land Community College for a short ride to the 32nd annual Democratic Evening on the Lake fundraiser May 8, 2012, at Island Bay Yacht Club in Springfield.

How Michael Madigan’s departure accelerates a shift in Chicago politics from old-school machine to new-era progressives

March 10, 2021 at 5:15 p.m.

Long before he became a congressman, federal judge or presidential adviser, a young Abner Mikva walked into the 8th Ward committeeman's storefront office to volunteer for the 1948 election. When...

The-Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks to supporters after he conceded his reelection bid to billionaire Democrat J.B. Pritzker on election night on Nov. 6, 2018, at the Drake hotel in Chicago.

After his wealthy Florida Keys enclave got early vaccines, ex-Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner gave $250,000 to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

March 5, 2021 at 10:15 a.m.

Former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner made a $250,000 campaign contribution to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last week after seniors in the uber-wealthy Florida Keys enclave where Rauner owns a home...

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wears a mask saying, "This mask is as useless as Joe Biden" as she walks with an aide on Capitol Hill on Feb. 25, 2021.

Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks Illinois US Rep. Marie Newman’s transgender daughter in feud over LGBTQ rights

February 26, 2021 at 3:59 p.m.

Rep. Marie Newman's push for LGBTQ rights in the name of her transgender daughter has sparked a political feud with controversial Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia congresswoman who has...

John Lausch, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, speaks during a news conference July 29, 2020, in Chicago.

Chicago US Attorney John Lausch to stay on the job until successor installed

February 23, 2021 at 6:11 p.m.

Chicago's top federal prosecutor will stay on the job — for now. After a bipartisan push, the White House will allow U.S. Attorney John Lausch to remain in office until...

A student gets her temperature checked as she arrives for the first day of classes at Southside Occupational High School in Chicago on Jan. 11, 2021.

Nearing another strike, Lightfoot versus CTU escalates long-running conflict between City Hall and Chicago’s public school teachers

February 6, 2021 at 8:41 a.m.

During the 2019 run-up to what would become the Chicago Teachers Union's longest strike in decades, Mayor Lori Lightfoot took stock of the differences between the labor issues she was...

Chicago Teachers Union members and supporters gather outside Jungman Elementary School in the Pilsen neighborhood Jan. 18, 2021, for a news conference and march.

Chicago Teachers Union authorizes collective action to remain remote, but some students may return to school Feb. 1 as negotiations continue

January 25, 2021 at 9:27 a.m.

After days of voting on whether to refuse to return for in-person teaching, the Chicago Teachers Union announced Sunday its members "overwhelmingly" chose to conduct only remote work beginning Monday....

Casey Urlacher, 40, of Libertyville leaves after an arraignment hearing at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on March 4, 2020.

White House visit by Brian Urlacher preceded Trump pardon of football great’s brother, Casey Urlacher, in federal gambling case

January 20, 2021 at 4:25 p.m.

Early last March, as the spread of the coronavirus was rapidly plunging the world into crisis, reporters were camped outside the White House hoping for word from President Donald Trump...

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