Dan Petrella – Page 15

Carol Pope, a retired prosecutor and judge, resigned as inspector general for the Illinois General Assembly after lawmakers rejected her calls for more autonomy and instead placed new restrictions on her office. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Paper tigers: Intentionally weak government oversight gives Illinois public officials cover for corruption

December 15, 2024 at 8:25 a.m.

A key factor in Illinois’ pervasive political corruption is weak oversight that prevents meaningful accountability for elected officials.

Lobbyists and others gather around the Illinois Capitol rotunda’s circular brass rail outside the House chamber on Feb. 20. The rail is a common meeting place for lobbyists and lawmakers to huddle and hash out issues about legislation and public policy. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Illinois’ weak lobbying laws help sustain culture of corruption

January 30, 2025 at 2:56 p.m.

The cozy relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists, coupled with some of the flimsiest regulations in the country, contributes to greed and graft.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks about the results of the election alongside Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton on Nov. 7, 2024, at Illinois state government offices in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker has warning for Donald Trump: ‘You come for my people, you come through me’

November 8, 2024 at 4:15 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker sought to assure Illinois residents that he would fight to preserve the state's protections on abortion and other fronts during Donald Trump's second term in the White...

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen hugs his father after declaring victory during an election night watch party on Nov. 5, 2024, in Moline. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

With 17 races up for election, Illinois Democrats keep a lock on majority of state’s congressional seats

November 6, 2024 at 1:49 p.m.

In the state's most closely watched race, Democratic Rep. Eric Sorensen fended off a challenge from Republican Joe McGraw in the 17th district.

Loretta Jackson, right, a volunteer from the Democratic Party of Evanston, talks to Margaret Cannon, center, granddaughter Mikyah Gandy, and great-grandson Adonis Robinson, 3, on Oct. 19, 2024, at Cannon’s door in Milwaukee as part of Operation Swing State. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Illinois volunteers try to tip presidential race in swing states Wisconsin and Michigan

November 1, 2024 at 10:33 a.m.

Illinoisans are working their political muscle to get out the vote in two critical Midwest swing states.

People walk through downtown Moline as the sun sets Oct. 8, 2024. The city is part of the 17th Congressional District which stretches from Rockford to the Quad Cities. First-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is facing a challenge from Judge Joe McGraw, a Republican running on a law-and-order platform. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Inside the one Illinois congressional race that could affect control of the US House

October 28, 2024 at 11:25 a.m.

In deep-blue Illinois, GOP candidate tries to flip northwestern Illinois district for only second time in 42 years.

U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, 1st, sings as his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, left, is honored on his 83rd birthday with a celebration on Oct. 8, 2024, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Here’s who is running for Congress from the Chicago area

October 28, 2024 at 12:04 p.m.

The dozen incumbent Democrats, including Reps. Delia Ramirez, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Danny Davis, head into the Nov. 5 election with a sizable advantage over their Republican challengers.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris celebrate with family after Harris accepted the presidential nomination at the United Center during the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024. (Tess Crowley/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker and wife gave big for DNC, which raised $97M in all

October 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

The host committee reported spending nearly $83 million in the lead-up to, during and in the month following the August convention.

Voters cast their ballots in early voting at the DuPage Event Center and Fairgrounds in Wheaton on Sept. 30, 2020. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Early voting starts Thursday throughout much of Illinois

September 26, 2024 at 9:58 a.m.

Chicago voters have to wait until Oct. 3 to cast early ballots in person, and suburban Cook County residents will be able to vote early in person beginning Oct. 9.

Jesse Jackson Jr. arrives at the Daley Center courthouse for his divorce hearing in Chicago, April 28, 2017. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Convicted ex-US Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. pushing for presidential pardon with help from suburban mayors

February 27, 2026 at 5:37 p.m.

Convicted former Democratic U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is ramping up an effort to get politicians to encourage President Joe Biden to pardon the former congressman before the Democratic president...

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