Politics

Republican nominee for governor Darren Bailey gives a thumbs-up as he leaves a press conference near McCormick Place on Sept. 4, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Illinois Democrats accuse Darren Bailey of failing to disclose who provides rent-free Chicago apartment

By Dan Petrella

October 6, 2026 at 5:25 p.m.

The Illinois Democratic Party has accused Darren Bailey, the Republican nominee for governor, of violating...

The line was getting longer around noon as voters and election officials go about their business on the first day of early voting at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point on Tuesday, Oct 6, 2026. (John Smierciak/for the Post-Tribune)

Early voting off to a strong start in Lake, Porter counties

By Maya Wilkins

October 6, 2026 at 4:41 p.m.

Lake County voters kicked off election season bright and early Tuesday morning, giving Elections and...

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk at the Republican convention on Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. Kirk brought her “America: Love it or Leave It” tour to Elgin's Judson University Tuesday. (Julio Cortez/AP)

Erika Kirk draws big crowd for Elgin appearance, some protesters

By Gloria Casas

October 6, 2026 at 5:14 p.m.

Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk brought her tour to Elgin's Judson University and was...

Former Ford Heights Mayor Annie Coulter, second from right, presides over a Village Board meeting Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at the Ford Heights municipal center. She was among 11 current and former village officials charged Friday in a case brought by the Illinois Attorney General's Office. (Ted Slowik/Daily Southtown)

Ford Heights officials charged with 79 felonies alleging theft and misconduct

By Olivia Stevens

September 25, 2026 at 5:48 p.m.

Eleven current and former Ford Heights officials are facing 79 felony charges after investigators raided...

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, left, sits beside Arlington Heights Pastor John Elleson, right, at a 9th Congressional District debate held by the League of Women Voters of Evanston on Sept. 24, 2026. The forum was held at the Skokie Public Library, 5215 Oakton Street. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Daniel Biss, John Elleson differ on war, ICE, in 9th Congressional District debate

By Claire Murphy

September 25, 2026 at 3:45 p.m.

Candidates touched on pressing national issues of affordability, foreign policy and immigration in debate for...

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita talks at a press conference at DriveCo CDL Learning Center in Gary on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (Maya Wilkins/Post-Tribune)

Indiana AG sues IHSAA over race provision

By Carole Carlson

September 25, 2026 at 1:58 p.m.

The state is suing the Indiana High School Athletic Association and seeking the removal of...

A parking meter box is stationed in Chicago’s Loop on Sept. 15, 2026. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

City Council punts decision on $2.53 billion Chicago parking meter sale to Stonepeak

By Alice Yin

September 25, 2026 at 2:51 p.m.

Aldermen delayed a vote on the sale of Chicago’s parking meters Friday, punting a fateful...

Ald. Matt Martin, 47th, left, talks outside chambers on July 15, 2026, before a City Council meeting at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Chicago City Council approves campaign ethics tweaks as election season heats up

By A.D. Quig

September 25, 2026 at 12:37 p.m.

Candidates will have to stand by their ads this election season — in writing or...

CNN Senior Reporter Betsy Klein reports from the White House, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

White House TV pool is back in operation after a dayslong ban of news outlets from grounds

By Jocelyn Noveck

September 25, 2026 at 1:10 p.m.

The U.S. network video pool for the White House was back in operation Friday, for...

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens as President Donald Trump speaks during an event about healthcare in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

CDC vaccine recommendations are at a standstill, and unanswered questions are piling up

By Mike Stobbe

September 25, 2026 at 8:22 a.m.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s crusade to upend vaccine policy and the legal action...

President Donald Trump, center right, and first lady Melania Trump, right, greet China’s President Xi Jinping, center left, and his wife Peng Liyuan on the South Portico of the White House, Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Donald Trump’s state dinner for Xi Jinping features sea bass and a long list of tech titans

By Will Weissert

September 25, 2026 at 6:15 a.m.

President Donald Trump's state dinner honoring China’s leader Xi Jinping featured a cavalcade of billionaires,...

Pope Leo XIV talks to journalists aboard the papal flight from Rome to Paris, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, during his apostolic journey to France. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, Pool)

Pope Leo XIV affirms need for media to cover public figures when asked about Trump ban

By Nicole Winfield

September 25, 2026 at 6:09 a.m.

Pope Leo XIV told reporters they were welcome to cover him, as he responded to...

A voter casts a ballot on the first day of early voting in Minnesota at the Elections & Voter Services building, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Just 40 days out from midterms, election officials say new US cyber plan comes too late

By Ali Swenson

September 24, 2026 at 9:23 p.m.

Election officials said the plan is both inadequate and belated after the administration gutted the...