Politics

The seal of Will County outside the Will County clerk’s office. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Daily Southtown)

Will County clerk, treasurer and regional superintendent face election challenges

By Michelle Mullins

October 13, 2026 at 5:37 a.m.

Republican Annette Parker and Democrat Michelle Stiff run for clerk and Democrat Tim Brophy and...

People congregate outside the Illinois State Capitol building in Springfield on May 6, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Illinois Democrats on defense over scandals in races for state legislature

By Jeremy Gorner

October 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

With the national political landscape tilting against Republicans ahead of next month's midterm elections, the...

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., takes questions during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

What to know about the search of Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home

By Nicholas Riccardi

October 12, 2026 at 5:54 p.m.

What to know about the search of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington, D.C. home on...

A “Greetings from Chicago” postcard in the Curt Teich Postcard Archives Collection at the Newberry Library in Chicago. (Newberry Library)

Illinois 250: What the state has uniquely contributed to the nation — and the world

By Kori Rumore

July 13, 2026 at 9:15 a.m.

The Tribune is taking a look back at what the Chicago area and the state...

FILE – This photo combination shows Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., left, Jan. 15, 2026, in Washington and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Nov. 5, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert, Abbie Parr, file)

The next big races between moderates and progressives are in pivotal Midwestern states

By Matt Brown

July 13, 2026 at 8:21 a.m.

The increasingly bitter contest will be among the next races where progressive candidates are facing...

Commercial vessels are seen in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

President Donald Trump says US will blockade Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and charge ships for safe passage

By Jon Gambrell

July 13, 2026 at 12:28 p.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States is “reinstating” a blockade on Iran in...

FILE – Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., listens during a Capitol Hill news conference in Washington, March 6, 2013. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Senate returns to Washington after Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death with uncertain agenda

By Mary Clare Jalonick

July 13, 2026 at 6:34 a.m.

Senate Republicans will return to Washington on Monday with an uncertain agenda after the sudden...

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., arrives for a hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Sen. Mitch McConnell says a fall led to his hospitalization, breaking weeks of silence about health condition

By Associated Press

July 12, 2026 at 5:20 p.m.

Sen. Mitch McConnell on Sunday revealed for the first time that a fall led to...

Graham Platner speaks to supporters in Blue Hill, Maine, after winning the Democratic nomination for the Senate on June 9, 2026. Platner withdrew from the Maine Senate race on Friday, July 10, ending his tumultuous political saga and allowing Democrats to begin the process of selecting an alternate nominee. (Sophie Park/The New York Times)

Maine Democrats announce July 25 convention to pick Platner replacement

By The New York Times News Service Syndicate

July 12, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Maine Democrats will hold a convention on July 25 where they will select a new...

FILE – U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., gestures as he speaks to the media in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in death of Sen. Lindsey Graham

By Seung Min Kim

July 12, 2026 at 4:18 p.m.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress who traveled the...

U.S. Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, 4th, speaks during a ribbon-cutting for a pharmacy-only CVS location on March 30, 2026, in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

US Rep. Chuy García draws criticism as opponents of his chosen successor face ballot challenges

By Jake Sheridan

July 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García's opponents say the outgoing congressman is resorting to the kinds...

A “250” American flag is displayed atop the Arlington Heights Park District float during the Frontier Days Fourth of July Parade on July 4, 2026, in Arlington Heights. (Joe Lewnard/Daily Herald)

State-funded America 250 commemorations kept mellow as federal funding cuts still sting in Illinois

By Olivia Olander

July 12, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

By almost any measure Illinois’ celebrations to commemorate the United States’ 250th birthday have been...

A mourner carries a sign reading “We Will Kill Trump” as people make their way to the funeral procession of the slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

President Trump suggests a standing order to attack Iran if it assassinates him. But JD Vance would make the call.

By Will Weissert

July 11, 2026 at 5:40 p.m.

President Donald Trump is suggesting he has left standing orders for the U.S. military to...