Illinois Politics

It's been one year since Operation Midway Blitz was launched by the Department of Homeland Security in the Chicago area. Thousands of arrests were made, and it also led to protests and heightened confrontations. All this and more on "The Chicago Report."

The judge in the Lindsay Clancy trial declared a mistrial on Friday. And, a Frankfort mom is charged with the murder of her 2-year-old. All this and more on "The Chicago Report."

A federal lawsuit seeks to block Illinois’ assisted-suicide law before it takes effect next weekend. 

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gave a budget update, saying Chicago is facing a $882.4 million budget gap. And, there's a push for a three-year ban on AI at Chicago Public Schools. All this and more on "The Chicago Report." 

A new candidate joins the race for Chicago Mayor. And, Gov. JB Pritzker campaigns against President Donald Trump. All this and more on "The Chicago Report."

President Trump and Mayor Brandon Johnson are at odds over the scale of Chicago's issues with violence and the best way to bring crime rates down. And, the debate on flock cameras continues. All this and more on "The Chicago Report."

Early voting in Illinois starts in about three weeks and there are still questions about whether or not two referendum questions will appear on the ballot in Aurora. 

Gov. Braun has promised an investigation into NIPSCO as several residents are still without power nearly three weeks after severe weather. And, Toni Brooks has launched her Chicago mayoral campaign. All this and more on "The Chicago Report." 

Is Mayor Brandon Johnson ready to make his 2027 plans official? A mysterious Sept. 13 announcement is fueling speculation.

Votebeat Senior National Reporter Dion Nissenbaum joins the Chicago Report to analyze the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on President Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting. He breaks down why the court lifted the initial injunction, the remaining legal hurdles facing the Postal Service and what this means for voters ahead of the midterm elections.

Tyson Foods is closing its major beef processing plant in Joslin, Illinois, eliminating over 2,500 jobs. State Senator Chris Balkema joins us to discuss why he believes Illinois' tax and regulatory environment is driving major agricultural employers to shift operations to neighboring states.

Moody's has upgraded Illinois' credit rating to A1, marking the state's highest bond rating in nearly 15 years and its 11th upgrade since 2021 under Governor JB Pritzker. University of Chicago Professor and Center for Municipal Finance Director Justin Marlowe joins us to break down how the rating could help reduce the state's borrowing costs, while persistent pension liabilities keep Illinois' overall score at the bottom of the nation.

National food safety attorney Bill Marler joins the Chicago Report to discuss Zaragoza v. Taylor Fresh Foods, the first Illinois lawsuit filed in connection to the 2026 nationwide Cyclospora outbreak. He walks through his client’s 23-day ordeal to get an accurate diagnosis, why the suit targets the alleged produce supplier rather than Taco Bell and the urgent testing reforms needed to stop the next outbreak.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order making Chicago the first major city to tie municipal contracts directly to ethical and public integrity standards. Community advocate Dorian Warren joins the Chicago Report to break down how the new mandate forces vendors to disclose ties to ICE enforcement, federal law enforcement and past civil rights violations.

Jennifer Custer has dropped out of the race for Chicago School Board President. And, a Chicago librarian has filed a lawsuit against Taylor Farms for falling ill with cyclospora after consuming a meal from Taco Bell. All this and more on "The Chicago Report."