Olivia Olander

Olivia Olander is a Chicago-based state government reporter at the Tribune. She previously covered labor and employment policy for POLITICO in DC, including the Labor Department, Congress and unions. Olivia is a graduate of Northwestern University and grew up in the suburbs of San Diego.

The Illinois legislature's flurry of business in the final days of its spring session included a measure that would open the door to mobile driver's licenses on the phones of residents.

Politics |
Legislation now before Gov. J.B. Pritzker: Mobile driver’s licenses, medical debt relief and a new state mushroom

June 3, 2024 at 5:14 p.m.

The Illinois legislature's flurry of business in the final days of its spring session included a measure that would open the door to mobile driver's licenses on the phones of...

Members of House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch's staff allege in a lawsuit that he thwarted their attempts to organize a union.

Politics |
House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch sued by staffers who say he thwarted their efforts to form union

June 1, 2024 at 4:41 p.m.

Members of House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch's staff allege in a lawsuit that he thwarted their attempts to organize a union.

Illinois House Democrats early Wednesday approved a $53.1 billion election-year budget that boosts spending by $400 million from what Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed earlier this year and slightly reduces the governor's tax hike plan.

Politics |
Illinois House breaks at dawn after last-minute drama over $750M tax package

May 29, 2024 at 6:45 p.m.

Illinois House Democrats early Wednesday approved a $53.1 billion election-year budget that boosts spending by $400 million from what Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed earlier this year and slightly reduces the...

Senate OK's $53.1 billion state spending plan and sends it to the Illinois House, which is poised to vote on the deal later this week.

Politics |
Illinois Senate approves state budget with $750 million in tax hikes, measure now moves to the House

May 28, 2024 at 6:24 a.m.

Senate OK's $53.1 billion state spending plan and sends it to the Illinois House, which is poised to vote on the deal later this week.

Health care initiatives pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker were passed by the Illinois House, paving the way for a statewide ban on some controversial insurance industry practices.

Politics |
Lawmakers send package of health insurance reforms to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk

May 25, 2024 at 7:19 p.m.

Health care initiatives pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker were passed by the Illinois House, paving the way for a statewide ban on some controversial insurance industry practices.

Illinois Democrats struggled to reach consensus on a budget before the Senate dropped a bill late Friday. A day later, there still had not been a substantive vote on the plan.

Politics |
Democrats lurch toward finish line on budget as House breaks for remainder of holiday weekend

May 25, 2024 at 11:01 p.m.

Illinois Democrats struggled to reach consensus on a budget before the Senate dropped a bill late Friday. A day later, there still had not been a substantive vote on the...

Illinois Democrats again will be unable to meet a self-imposed deadline for approving a state spending plan as Gov. J.B. Pritzker faces pushback on proposed tax hikes

Politics |
Illinois Democrats still at odds over tax hike proposals as budget talks again head into overtime

May 23, 2024 at 7:36 p.m.

Illinois Democrats again will be unable to meet a self-imposed deadline for approving a state spending plan as Gov. J.B. Pritzker faces pushback on proposed tax hikes

Advocates of ending a subminimum wage for tipped workers in Illinois acknowledged that legislation is unlikely to move before lawmakers adjourn later this week.

Politics |
Legislation to end subminimum wage for tipped workers stalls, but advocates plan to keep pushing

May 21, 2024 at 6:08 p.m.

Advocates of ending a subminimum wage for tipped workers in Illinois acknowledged that legislation is unlikely to move before lawmakers adjourn later this week.

Illinois lawmakers head into the final scheduled week of the spring session still negotiating major elements of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposed $52.7 billion budget.

Politics |
Lawmakers set to wrangle over tax hikes, insurance reforms in final days of session

May 20, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois lawmakers head into the final scheduled week of the spring session still negotiating major elements of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposed $52.7 billion budget.

At least three bills addressing the opioid and fentanyl overdose crisis have already passed through one chamber of the General Assembly.

Politics |
Lawmakers move bills aimed at addressing opioid crisis

May 20, 2024 at 1:31 p.m.

At least three bills addressing the opioid and fentanyl overdose crisis have already passed through one chamber of the General Assembly.

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