Dan Petrella

A Lombard native, Dan Petrella has written for newspapers from Chicago to Carbondale. Before joining the Tribune in 2017, he was Springfield bureau chief for Lee Enterprises newspapers. He's also been an editor and reporter at The State Journal-Register in Springfield. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The landscape has changed and CPD isn't the same police force as it was in 1968. But questions remain as protesters will arrive in Chicago this August for the Democratic National Convention.

Politics |
‘This will not be 1968.’ Chicago police prepare for DNC as whole world watches once again.

June 10, 2024 at 6:17 a.m.

The landscape has changed and CPD isn't the same police force as it was in 1968. But questions remain as protesters will arrive in Chicago this August for the Democratic...

General Assembly grants five-year extension to law that smoothed the way for small cell transmission equipment to be placed throughout Illinois.

Illinois lawmakers quietly extend cellular law part of AT&T-Michael Madigan bribery case

May 29, 2024 at 4:11 p.m.

General Assembly grants five-year extension to law that smoothed the way for small cell transmission equipment to be placed throughout Illinois.

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...

The board has been a source of long-running bipartisan tension between the legislative chamber and the Pritzker administration.

Politics |
Gov. J.B. Pritzker continues clashing with Illinois Senate over parole board

May 28, 2024 at 8:08 a.m.

The board has been a source of long-running bipartisan tension between the legislative chamber and the Pritzker administration.

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.

The Chicago Bears’ plea for more than $2 billion in public assistance to build a new domed stadium is on hold until at least the fall, high-ranking Democratic lawmakers confirmed.

Politics |
Legislature won’t act on Bears’ stadium funding request this spring, lawmakers say

May 27, 2024 at 5:27 p.m.

The Chicago Bears’ plea for more than $2 billion in public assistance to build a new domed stadium is on hold until at least the fall, high-ranking Democratic lawmakers confirmed.

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...

After a last-minute plea from Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is expected to put the brakes on legislation that would extend a moratorium on public school closings in Chicago.

Politics |
After eleventh-hour plea from Mayor Brandon Johnson, Senate president likely to put school closing bill on hold

May 24, 2024 at 8:40 p.m.

After a last-minute plea from Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon is expected to put the brakes on legislation that would extend a moratorium on public school closings...

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

Governor Pritzker highlights attack-dog role at event preparing for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

Politics |
In possible DNC preview, Gov. J.B. Pritzker mocks ex-President Donald Trump

May 22, 2024 at 4:38 p.m.

Governor Pritzker highlights attack-dog role at event preparing for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

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