Jack O’Connor – Page 4

Gov. JB Pritzker greets lawmakers before delivering his annual State of the State and budget address Feb. 18, 2026, at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

In State of the State address, Gov. JB Pritzker pitches affordability and Illinois resilience to Trump

February 18, 2026 at 8:09 p.m.

Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said the Trump administration’s actions cutting federal funding for various programs have cost the people of Illinois $8.4 billion.

Gov. JB Pritzker mingles with people at an event in Chicago, Jan. 28, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker expected to propose ‘maintenance’ Illinois budget, legislative leader says

February 18, 2026 at 11:22 a.m.

Illinois' four top legislative leaders briefed before Wednesday's state of the state and budget address agreed the fiscal plan will have to hew to the line in a tight budget...

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, seated, cheers on Aug. 19, 2024, during the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Political leaders across Illinois mourn the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death: ‘A giant of the Civil Rights Movement’

February 21, 2026 at 9:47 a.m.

Political leaders across Illinois mourned Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death and nodded to the decades-long movement he championed after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., his mentor.

Gina Eshu fills out an application for a ballot certificate for a registered voter during the Illinois primary election on March 19, 2024, at a polling place at Chicago Filmmakers in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/baiduhai)

Illinois voter guide to the 2026 primary election on March 17

February 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois Democratic and Republican voters will soon decide their party’s nominees for races at the federal and state levels, as well as in a few local races, during the March...

State Sen. Laura Fine, from left, Phil Andrew and Bushra Amiwala, Democratic candidates for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, speak to the Tribune Editorial Board on Jan. 29, 2026. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Millions raised fuel fierce fights for 5 open Illinois congressional seats ahead of March primary

February 3, 2026 at 3:47 p.m.

The five heavily blue congressional districts that span from Algonquin through parts of Chicago and down to Danville have nearly four dozen Democrats competing to replace three retiring members of...

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias speaks at Federal Plaza on Jan. 20, 2026, in Chicago. A group called Democrats for an Informed Approach to Gender filed suit against Giannoulias over the right to use the word “Democrat” in its name. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Anti-transgender Democrats sue Illinois over law requiring political party approval for nonprofit names

January 27, 2026 at 4:46 p.m.

Newly filed lawsuit highlights little-known Illinois law barring nonprofits from using the words “democrat,” “democratic” or “republican” without the OK of the political party's leaders.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at Union Station in Chicago on Dec. 16, 2025. Illinois lawmakers moved swiftly last fall to pass a sweeping statute allowing public officials to shield their personal information from public view. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Illinois law shielding officials’ personal information amid political violence sparks transparency backlash

January 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

An Illinois law is letting public officials redact their personal information. Press advocates are raising alarms about government transparency and free speech.

Text from President Barack Obama’s speech marking the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march is being installed as work continues on the Obama Presidential Library and Museum on Jan. 13, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Where will Barack Obama’s chairs from the Illinois Senate go? Not his presidential center.

January 24, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois preserved two chairs Barack Obama used in the state Senate, hoping they'd be displayed, but now must decide what to do as the Obama Presidential Center is declining to...

People stand in line, right, as workers, left, help residents obtain REAL ID cards at the Illinois Secretary of State supercenter, 191 N. Clark St., Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Chicago. More than 1,100 residents used the service on Jan. 17, and numbers for Jan. 24 and 31 were likely to be similar, according to officials on-site. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Illinois ramping up REAL ID campaign before TSA’s $45 fines begin Feb. 1

January 24, 2026 at 2:31 p.m.

Illinois offices will be open the next two Saturdays in downtown Chicago to help residents obtain a REAL ID before TSA starts fining any airport traveler without one $45 beginning...

Federal agents use tear gas and smoke on community members and activists while they protest near the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue on Oct. 4, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Illinois and Chicago sue DHS over ‘militarized’ immigration-enforcement tactics

January 12, 2026 at 6:23 p.m.

Saying immigration agents have acted more like an occupying military force than law enforcement, lawyers for the state of Illinois and Chicago sued the Trump administration in federal court Monday...

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