Jake Sheridan

Jake Sheridan covers local politics and the City Council for the Tribune's City Hall team. He previously worked as a general assignment reporter for the Tribune's Metro desk. He is a graduate of Duke University. He welcomes tips on important news, overlooked problems and colorful stories via X and email.

Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, attends a City Council meeting at City Hall on March 12, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune).

Teen curfew vote delayed, alderman praises Mayor Brandon Johnson’s listening efforts

May 5, 2025 at 5:49 p.m.

The clock is ticking for supporters of the curfew measure to pass it to give police added power to deal with teen takeovers that are more common during summer months.

Jets arrive and depart at O’Hare International Airport, Jan. 29, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson taps former City Hall official to lead Department of Aviation

May 5, 2025 at 4:36 p.m.

Mike McMurray, president of transportation and infrastructure at Wight & Company, will serve as aviation commissioner in Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration.

Demonstrators begin to march during a rally organized by Coalition Against the Trump Agenda (CATA) at Union Park on May 3, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Far-left groups try to grow Chicago ranks at rally against Donald Trump at Union Park

May 4, 2025 at 9:11 a.m.

Saturday's protest at Union Park was aimed not only at the White House, but anyone frustrated by the aggressive start of the president's second term.

The Art Institute's James Rondeau talks about the donation of paintings, including the Warhol behind him, in 2015.

Art Institute of Chicago president reportedly stripped on plane, faces independent probe

May 3, 2025 at 6:21 p.m.

The investigation follows news reports that involved in a peculiar incident on a mid-April flight from Chicago to Munich.

Mayor Brandon Johnson talks to Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th, and Ald. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, after a City Council meeting on May 24, 2023, at City Hall. A recent mailer is targeting Johnson, along with progressive allies Aldermen Daniel La Spata, 1st, Sigcho-Lopez, Rodriguez-Sanchez and William Hall, 6th. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Group opposing Mayor Brandon Johnson and allies raises $10M, progressives decry ‘sucker politics’

May 2, 2025 at 5:07 p.m.

Mailers sent earlier this year by the dark money Common Ground Collective argue “Chicago is in chaos” in a bid to beat up Mayor Brandon Johnson and four allies.

Ald. Bill Conway, 34th, is flanked by Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, and Ald. Silvana Tabares, 23rd, as they talk during a meeting of City Council’s Public Safety Committee, April 30, 2025. The committee advanced a proposal to give Chicago’s top public safety leaders the power to declare “snap curfews” in an effort to curb so-called teen takeovers. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Power to impose ‘snap’ teen curfew for top cop, Johnson deputy hits council hurdle

April 30, 2025 at 5:05 p.m.

The decision stalls an effort by some aldermen to decisively shape Chicago’s policing policy in response to a handful of high-profile violent incidents at large gatherings of teens.

Mayor Brandon Johnson answers questions during a news conference at Chicago City Hall on April 1, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration joins lawsuit against Trump to block federal worker firings

April 29, 2025 at 5:12 p.m.

The suit targets a broad array of figures in Trump’s government as defendants, from DOGE head Elon Musk to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert...

Chicago police officers post up outside the AMC River East 21 theater on Illinois Street on April 18, 2025. An ordinance introduced by Ald. Brian Hopkins proposes to give police brass the power to declare curfews when mass teen gatherings are expected or ongoing. On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson was hesitant about giving the police the power to declare “snap” curfews. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson hesitant on giving police ‘snap’ teen curfew power

April 28, 2025 at 4:38 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson pointed to ongoing negotiations over a curfew ordinance to control teen gatherings, but did not say what he wants to see enacted.

Ald. Daniel La Spata, 1st, speaks to Ald. Ruth Cruz, 30th, during a Chicago City Council meeting at City Hall on April 17, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Aldermen spurning Mayor Brandon Johnson’s new budget working group: ‘It points to a larger problem’

April 24, 2025 at 4:19 p.m.

Of eight aldermen Mayor Brandon Johnson initially asked to join the budget task force, four had not accepted as of Thursday morning.

Chicago Budget Director Annette Guzman and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson talk to reporters about the city’s budget before the start of a community event at the Harold Washington Library Center on Feb. 4, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnson launches budget group, warns of financial ‘crossroads’ if Trump proceeds with cuts

April 21, 2025 at 4:37 p.m.

Mayor Brandon Johnson launched a working group of business and labor leaders and others tasked with making far-reaching budget recommendations.

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