Election

Fox Chicago's Paris Schutz talks about the One Fair Wage discussion, continued fallout after Chicago Deputy Mayor's firing, talking to the architect of a new Soldier Field idea, and the latest hotel tax hike in Chicago.

Chicago is ramping up the hotel tax to fund tourism.  On Wednesday, city council unanimously voted to create a tourism improvement district, raising hotel taxes to 19% --the highest in the nation.  Supporters say it's needed to boost the city's marketing budget.  To weigh in, we have Michael Jacobson, President of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association.

There's an architect making a last-minute pitch to keep the team at Solider Field.  Edward Peck's design includes a translucent roof, more seating, and an entertainment district.  Could these upgrades be enough to keep Indiana or Arlington Heights off the table?  Peck joins us know to make his case.

Like clockwork - city council and the mayor are at odds on another issue. Yesterday, the council voted 30-18 to freeze planned hikes in the minimum wage for tipped workers like servers and bartenders. So instead of gradually going up to match the regular city minimum wage around $16, it will stay at $12.62 an hour. But a frustrated mayor johnson said he has other plans.

The CTA is suing the Trump administration over paused funding for two of its projects. 

More fallout today after yesterday's surprise firing of Mayor Johnson's point person for public safety, deputy mayor Garien Gatewood. More than 20 city council members have sent the mayor a letter condemning the move, and what they say is a character assassination from the mayor's office with claims that Gatewood presided over a hostile work environment.

Fox Chicago's Paris Schutz talks about the surprising shakeup in Mayor Brandon Johnson's office as well as talking to Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy on their upcoming race.

After Tuesday's primary election, the field is set in the race for Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat, vacated by Dick Durbin.  Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the democratic nomination, backed by millions of dollars from Governor JB Pritzker and former Illinois GOP party chair Don Tracy.  If elected, he would be the first republican to represent Illinois in the U.S. Senate since Mark Kirk lost his reelection bid in 2016. 

A sudden shakeup inside Mayor Brandon Johnson's office today. Garien Gatewood, Chicago's first deputy mayor for public safety has been fired.  That's a position Mayor Johnson created days after taking office in 2023.  But that's not all-- Manny Whitfield, Director of Violence Prevention, was also let go.

Following Tuesday's primary, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy are officially facing off for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin.

Fox Chicago's Paris Schutz recaps all of the excitement from last night's election, including that JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey will have a rematch.

The day after Darren Bailey won the GOP nomination for governor in Illinois, Darren Bailey spoke with Fox Chicago to give his pitch to voters as he again challenges Gov. JB Pritzker.

Running mate Aaron Del Mar outlines the campaign’s strategy, responds to Democratic criticism, and discusses key issues like affordability ahead of the November showdown.

Pat Hynes discusses his plans to address property tax fairness, improve transparency, and implement changes in the assessor’s office ahead of the general election.

Several big primary races were decided across Chicago and Illinois on Tuesday.

Political science professor Stephen Caliendo unpacks major Illinois primary results, including Juliana Stratton’s win, a Cook County assessor upset, and what the outcomes signal heading into the general election.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss is the winner of the Democratic primary race in Illinois’ 9th congressional district, the AP projects. Biss beat out a large field of Democratic candidates as they sought to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has represented the district since 1999 and will retire at the end of this term. 

Fox Chicago Political Anchor Paris Schutz explains why he believes Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is the big winner in the Illinois Primary Elections.