WBEZPolitics

Gov. JB Pritzker is pondering a reelection run. But should he seek a third term if he wants to be president? Pritzker has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term as Illinois governor next year, while also not shooting down the idea that he’ll run for president in 2028.

Gov. JB Pritzker is pondering a reelection run. But should he seek a third term if he wants to be president? www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Newly revised curfew ordinance poised for committee approval — over Mayor Johnson's objections The newly revised ordinance aims to prevent large groups of young people summoned by social media from assembling downtown, a phenomenon known as "teen trends." The gatherings often have turned violen...

Newly revised curfew ordinance poised for committee approval — over Mayor Johnson's objections www.wbez.org/city-hall/20...

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin’s highlight reel of speeches

As Dick Durbin heads for the exits, @davemckinney.bsky.social spun this highlight reel of his best stem-winders. Listen here: www.wbez.org/wbez-news/20...

Longtime Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin won’t seek reelection The 80-year-old Democrat told WBEZ in an Illinois exclusive that age was a factor in his not seeking a sixth term in Congress.

BREAKING NEWS: Longtime Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin won’t seek reelection, a WBEZ Illinois exclusive www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Behind the scenes at Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s congressional grilling Johnson had a gameplan of what he wanted to stress to congressional Republicans in his testimony. In fact, he made his point at least 18 times.

WBEZ reporter Mariah Woelfel was in DC to get these behind-the-scenes moments at Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s congressional grilling www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Trump administration puts several major Chicago federal buildings up for sale The properties listed for sale Tuesday include two iconic high-rise towers in the Loop: the Kluczynski and Metcalfe Federal Buildings.

Trump administration puts several major Chicago federal buildings up for sale www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Elon Musk’s DOGE moves to cancel leases for federal offices across Illinois The Trump administration is aiming to unload half the buildings the government owns and cancel 50% of leases for offices across the country.

Elon Musk’s DOGE moves to cancel leases for federal offices across Illinois www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Former Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot are helping Brandon Johnson prepare for his DC testimony Former foes appear to be putting Chicago Democratic politics aside to help Johnson prepare for a Republican-led hearing.

Former Chicago Mayors Rahm Emanuel and Lori Lightfoot are helping Brandon Johnson prepare for his testimony before a Congressional committee www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Alderman introduces plan to punish Chicago city employees and officers for having extremist ties The plan from Ald. Matt Martin, 47th Ward, follows growing calls for the Chicago Police Department and Mayor Brandon Johnson to fire cops with ties to extremist groups.

Alderman introduces plan to punish Chicago city employees and officers for having extremist ties www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Anjanette Young, victim of an infamous 2019 wrongful Chicago police raid, marks another year without reform “My hope is that we don't go another year without getting a tangible policy in place,” an optimistic Young told WBEZ.

Anjanette Young, victim of an infamous 2019 wrongful Chicago police raid, marks another year without reform www.wbez.org/city-hall/20...

Transgender teens and their parents speak out after Lurie Children’s pauses surgeries Lurie’s decision came after President Trump threatened to cut federal funding. Some families worry other gender-affirming care will cease.

Transgender teens and their parents speak out after Lurie Children’s pauses surgeries www.wbez.org/health-medic...

Timeline: Key moments in the Michael Madigan federal corruption trial One of Illinois’ most powerful politicians is on trial. Get caught up on the critical points.

ICYMI, Find a comfy chair and get caught up on every key moment of the Michael Madigan federal corruption trial right here: www.wbez.org/politics/202...

What former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction means for his legacy A jury found Madigan guilty of bribery and wire fraud, convictions that will be tied to how he is remembered, Dave McKinney reports.

What former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s conviction means for his legacy. @davemckinney.bsky.social explains. www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Michael Madigan guilty of bribery conspiracy, wire fraud: Live updates The decade-long FBI investigation that led to Madigan’s trial roiled local politics and changed the course of Illinois history.

Michael Madigan guilty of bribery conspiracy, wire fraud: Live updates chicago.suntimes.com/live/mike-ma...

Chicago alderpeople want to ban participants in the January 6th attack from working for the city “Someone who wants to overthrow a government should not be eligible to serve government,” states a draft of the proposal.

Chicago alderpeople want to ban participants in the January 6th attack from working for the city www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to tax hemp and pass the ‘Anjanette Young ordinance’ in his 2025 to-dos Johnson’s team is laying out its first-quarter priorities. What’s not on the list is solutions to big fiscal cliffs for city agencies.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to tax hemp and pass the ‘Anjanette Young ordinance’ in his 2025 to-dos www.wbez.org/city-hall/20...

Amid deportation fears, hundreds of patients skip appointments at one Chicago health clinic At CommunityHealth, which serves a large immigration population, prescriptions have been left on shelves since President Donald Trump took office.

Amid deportation fears, hundreds of patients skip appointments at one Chicago health clinic www.wbez.org/2025/02/05/a...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to tax hemp and pass the ‘Anjanette Young ordinance’ in his 2025 to-dos Johnson’s team is laying out its first-quarter priorities. What’s not on the list is solutions to big fiscal cliffs for city agencies.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants to tax hemp and pass the ‘Anjanette Young ordinance’ in his 2025 to-dos www.wbez.org/city-hall/20...

Health care providers in Illinois could lose millions in funding under Trump order Some providers say an order freezing federal financial help could mean cuts in services within days or months. A judge temporarily blocked the order.

Health care providers in Illinois could lose millions in funding under Trump order www.wbez.org/health-medic...

Feds sent subpoenas to Chicago charter school Urban Prep about its former CEO Grand jury subpoenas obtained by WBEZ show U.S. prosecutors sought many records from Urban Prep Academies related to its ex-CEO Tim King.

Chicago charter school admins denied my request to see federal subpoenas they got.

The Topic #FOIA Team sued them for WBEZ.

Here’s what we got www.wbez.org/education/20...

Mayor Brandon Johnson is ‘not intimidated’ after Trump threatens to investigate local leaders in sanctuary cities “I don't sit around thinking about the hypotheticals,” Johnson said in an interview with WBEZ Thursday as he defended the city’s law protecting undocumented immigrants.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is ‘not intimidated’ after Trump threatens to investigate local leaders in sanctuary cities
www.wbez.org/city-hall/20...

Chicago Sun-Times owner seeks voluntary buyouts from the newsroom The reductions shape up as the most severe since the publication joined with WBEZ in 2022, a pioneering move aimed at sustaining local journalism.

Chicago Sun-Times owner seeks voluntary buyouts from the newsroom www.wbez.org/media/2025/0...

Trump’s pardons for Jan. 6 riot helps more than 50 defendants from Illinois A Chicago Sun-Times review found 43 of the 53 defendants from Illinois had been convicted and sentenced. Trump pardoned or ordered cases dropped against everyone charged in the insurrection.

Trump’s pardons for Jan. 6 riot helps more than 50 defendants from Illinois
www.wbez.org/politics/202...

Here are four takeaways about what could happen to vaccines in Illinois as Donald Trump takes office Illinois has a high percentage of kids who are vaccinated. Health professionals are bracing for how the new administration could change that.

Here are four takeaways about what could happen to vaccines in Illinois as Donald Trump takes office www.wbez.org/health-medic...

Immigration advocates warn a proposal for Chicago police to help ICE could be illegal The proposal would allow police to help with deportations, but the city’s law department says it violates state law. Advocates say it could also have a chilling effect on immigrant communities.

Immigration advocates warn a proposal for Chicago police to help ICE could be illegal www.wbez.org/2025/01/10/i...

🔊 Listen Now: FBI recordings in the Michael Madigan trial are outlining an alleged Chinatown corruption scheme WBEZ Chicago on NPR One

My colleague Dave McKinney cues up the federal wiretap recordings of Mike Madigan and unspools one of the allegedly corrupt schemes, centered in Chicago’s Chinatown. Have a listen here one.npr.org?sharedMediaI... via @wbezpolitics.bsky.social

Chicago’s city council narrowly approves a new city budget that avoids a property tax hike The approved budget includes cutting middle management positions and reducing the city’s debt obligation payment by $40 million.

Chicago’s city council narrowly approves a new city budget that avoids a property tax hike

www.wbez.org/politics/202...

As Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delays budget vote, City Council members complain about what the budget lacked Some City Council members say Johnson’s budget should include more spending cuts rather than increases to property taxes. Even some progressive allies of the mayor said Johnson’s budget process lacked...

As Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson delays budget vote, City Council members complain about what the budget lacked www.wbez.org/city-hall/20...

Here are more than a dozen ways Cook County’s property tax system could be more fair A study of how to improve the county’s property tax system comes as more homeowners complain they’re struggling to pay skyrocketing bills.

Here are more than a dozen ways Cook County’s property tax system could be more fair www.wbez.org/cook-county/...

As Mayor Johnson struggles to balance Chicago’s budget, he’s reserving millions for cops who’ll never be hired He’s the latest in a line of mayors who’ve budgeted annually for hundreds of ghost cops. And it’s not the only fictional part of his CPD budget.

As Mayor Johnson struggles to balance Chicago’s budget, he’s reserving millions for cops who’ll never be hired www.wbez.org/politics/202...