Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker traded barbs Thursday evening in their first matchup heading into the Nov. 6 general election, some 6.5 weeks away.
Stories by Amanda Vinicky
Sweeping Changes for Chicago Police Department Nearly Finalized
A document promised to result in “real and lasting reform” for Chicago police is in the hands of a federal judge. The latest on the consent decree.
Chicago Mayor’s Race: Gutierrez Out, Garcia ‘Taking a Closer Look’
There may soon be tidal waves in the race for Chicago mayor, should Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle run, or should County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia take a second shot at the city’s top job.
Top Cook County Leaders Eyeing Chicago Mayor’s Race
As Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle presided over a regularly-scheduled board meeting Tuesday, loyalists were beginning to circulate petitions to nominate Preckwinkle for Chicago mayor.
With Emanuel Out, Who’s In? The Wide-Open Race for Chicago Mayor
It’s been nearly a week since Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made the shocking announcement that he won’t run for a third term. We survey the political landscape.
Obama Takes Aim at Trump, Republican Party Elites
In a fervid speech, former President Barack Obama accuses his successor and GOP elites of appealing to tribalism and fear “because it helps them maintain the status quo and keep their power and their privilege.”
Chicago Police to Document When They Point a Gun
The city and state reach agreement on a plan to track instances in which Chicago police officers point a gun at someone. But not everyone’s happy about it.
Van Dyke Case: Protesters Call for Justice as Murder Trial Begins
Four years after the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald, the trial of Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke, who is charged with his murder, is underway. Scenes from day one of the trial.
Mayor Emanuel Won’t Run for Re-election. What That Means for Candidates.
Winning a third term wasn’t ever going to be easy for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But the dynamics of the race quickly went topsy-turvy with Emanuel’s announcement that he won’t be on the 2019 ballot.
12 Arrested After Attempting to Shut Down Kennedy Expressway
For the third time this summer, activists used major roadways in an effort to shine a light on the violence plaguing Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Will Protesters Defy Police and Shut Down the Kennedy Expressway?
Police say there’ll be no tolerance for traffic disruptions this Labor Day, despite a planned protest to shut down portions of the Kennedy Expressway on Monday.
Employee Accuses Pritzker Group of Union-Busting
A docent for Seadog Cruises is pushing to unionize, but he says Seadog’s parent company, Entertainment Cruises, is trying to quash the effort.
How Illinois is Spending its VW Settlement Windfall
The state is set to receive more than $100 million in a settlement from Volkswagen after the automaker admitted to cheating on emission tests.
Pot as a Painkiller: New Law Aims to Curb Opioid-Related Deaths
A law signed Tuesday by Gov. Bruce Rauner opens access to cannabis to a new raft of patients—anyone who would otherwise be prescribed an opioid.
The Battle for Union Members Begins
It’s been two months since the U.S. Supreme Court came out with its landmark Janus v. AFSCME decision. Now, on to the next front in the battle over the future of public employee unions.
Why Chicago’s Hedging on a City-Owned Casino
Chicago’ and Illinois’ budgets could both use extra padding – money for schools, and to pay pension debts. One option? More gambling. But just what are the chances?
2018 Governor’s Race: Fundraising Nears $250 Million
Total fundraising in the Illinois governor’s race approaches a quarter-billion dollars. What that means for both parties.
Democrats Fire Up Their Base at Annual State Fair Rally
Democrats are on the attack as they campaign at the Illinois State Fair. We have a live report from Springfield.
Rauner Uses State Fair to Compare Opponent to Swine
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday slammed Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker’s spending on political advertisements. “You know what? You can only put so much lipstick on a barrow,” Rauner said.
Precious Meddling: The Impact of Trump’s Tariffs on Steel
Gone are the days of leaving it to the World Trade Organization to deal with allegations of “dumping” and other disputes – President Trump is using tariffs instead. A local steel company weighs in.
Gov. Rauner Ratchets Up Anti-Madigan Rhetoric
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has long been a political target of Gov. Bruce Rauner, but the governor ratcheted it up a notch Monday.
Railway Apologizes for ‘Bait Truck’ Operation, Vows to Stop Practice
Norfolk Southern Railway is backing up from a controversial practice following backlash sparked by viral videos.
Police ‘Bait Trucks’: Legitimate Sting Operation, Or Unfair Setup?
Once again, police are in the crosshairs due to social media posts that have gone viral. This time, videos show police using a so-called bait truck in Englewood.
IIT Construction Unearths ‘Mecca’ of Chicago History
Construction on the Illinois Institute of Technology campus recently exposed a slice of Chicago’s buried past.
NASA’s Mission to ‘Our Star’ Named After UChicago’s Eugene Parker
Next week, the retired University of Chicago astrophysicist, 91, will watch as a probe named in his honor is launched from the Kennedy Space Center and catapulted to the sun’s corona.
