Politics

Sandhill cranes congregate in a coal ash pond next to R.M. Schahfer Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant, while it operates, Feb. 9, 2026, in Wheatfield, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

U.S. Rep. Mrvan introduces legislation against federal power plant orders

By Maya Wilkins

October 7, 2026 at 4:44 p.m.

Mrvan introduced legislation to prevent utility consumers from paying costs for reopening or preventing the...

FILE – A Medicare Advantage PPO card rests on top of a Medicare card in Portland, Ore., June 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

President Trump’s $90 Medicare rebate rolls out, but millions aren’t eligible. Critics see a political stunt.

By Fatima Hussein

October 7, 2026 at 2:32 p.m.

President Donald Trump says his administration will make one-time payments of $90 per person to...

Dana Lacoco, a former part-time Tinley Park Public Library employee, speaks during public comment at Tinley Park Village Hall, Oct. 6, 2026. (Evy Lewis/Daily Southtown)

Tinley Park will allow library workers to stay on village healthcare, but at sharply increased cost

By Evy Lewis

October 7, 2026 at 1:58 p.m.

Tinley Park Public Library employees may remain on the village's insurance plan, but only if...

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...

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at La Villita Community Church in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood on Sept. 15, 2026. (E. Jason Wambsgans/baiduhai)

Gov. JB Pritzker turns to Illinois lawmakers to act on data center regulations

By Olivia Olander

September 24, 2026 at 6:20 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker said he isn’t pursuing a moratorium on new data centers in Illinois...