Politics

Jessica Biggs attends a forum for Chicago Board of Education president candidates at Malcolm X College on Oct. 5, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Billionaire donor Michael Sacks gives $150,000 to school board president candidate Jessica Biggs

October 13, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

Billionaire Democratic donor Michael Sacks donated $150,000 to school board president candidate Jessica Biggs, the largest...

After a City Council fight, coach house construction is now legal in many Chicago wards.

To spur housing growth, Chicago must attack prerogative, outdated zoning: report

By A.D. Quig

October 13, 2026 at 4:15 p.m.

A local think tank is blaming Chicago’s aldermanic tradition of hyperlocal control of what gets...

Sameer Suhail, the former Chicago medical supply company owner who fled to Dubai shortly before being indicted in a massive scheme to defraud Loretto Hospital, walks outside the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago after getting released April 22, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

After report of partying in Dubai with Texas Senate candidate, accused Loretto Hospital fraudsters plead not guilty

By Jason Meisner

October 13, 2026 at 4:36 p.m.

A day after a national news report linked them to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton,...

Tom Kotarac, of the Regional Transportation Authority board, speaks to interim CTA president Nora Leerhsen before a City Club transit panel at Maggiano's Banquets in River North on Jan. 7, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle proposes new transit board members

By Talia Soglin

July 1, 2026 at 3:55 p.m.

Toni Preckwinkle sent the list of her proposed new transit board appointees — who must...

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek works in her office at the DuPage County Administration Building in Wheaton on July 18, 2024. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

DuPage County Board accused of violating Open Meetings Act in approving pay raises for elected officials

By Alicia Fabbre

July 7, 2026 at 2:49 p.m.

Pay raises for some elected officials in DuPage County may be in jeopardy as County...

State Sen. Linda Holmes speaks at a committee hearing during the spring legislative session at the State Capitol, May 29, 2026, in Springfield. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

Suburban Democratic Party chairs to pick Aurora-area Illinois Senate nominee behind closed doors

By Olivia Olander

July 1, 2026 at 2:39 p.m.

Because state Sen. Linda Holmes’ announcement came months after the March primary, just four county...

FILE – Flanked by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, left, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, second right, and White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks, President Donald Trump displays his signed AI initiative in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

President Donald Trump filing shows he took in about $1.2 billion from crypto businesses last year

By Bernard Condon

July 1, 2026 at 12:59 p.m.

President Donald Trump took in nearly $1.2 billion from his crypto businesses last year, a...

Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh speaks during a news conference following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, June 17, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh emphasizes political independence, signals focus on inflation

By Christopher Rugaber

July 1, 2026 at 1:10 p.m.

New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Wednesday that the central bank would remain independent...

People purchase fireworks at a TNT Fireworks stand in Alhambra, Calif., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

What to know about fireworks and the risk of wildfires this July 4th

By Sarah Raza

July 1, 2026 at 1:12 p.m.

With wildfires raging across the Western U.S., cities and states are restricting fireworks just as...

Comptroller Michael Belsky speaks while Mayor Brandon Johnson and his team meet with the baiduhai Editorial Board Oct. 28, 2025. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Chicago ended 2025 with extra money, but long-term troubles linger

By A.D. Quig

July 1, 2026 at 5:36 p.m.

Chicago ended 2025 with $219 million more than expected thanks to solid tax collections and...

Activists celebrate the Supreme Court’s birthright citizenship ruling outside of the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

How the Supreme Court became a pivotal force in Trump’s immigration agenda

By Rebecca Santana

July 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

President Donald Trump’s administration looked to the Supreme Court to greenlight its sweeping hard-line immigration...

FILE – Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, May 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

Trump’s actions signal a move toward institutionalizing people with disabilities, advocates warn

By Annie Ma

July 1, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

For decades, disabled people have fought for their rights to go to school and live...

FILE – E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court, Jan. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

Writer E. Jean Carroll calls for Trump to pay $5.8M after high court appeal fails

By Larry Neumeister

July 1, 2026 at 8:31 a.m.

Advice columnist E. Jean Carroll asked a judge Tuesday to require President Donald Trump to...