Rick Pearson

Rick Pearson has been the Tribune’s chief political reporter since 1998, after joining the paper a decade earlier as a state government correspondent. He’s covered Illinois and national politics for more than four decades, including seven presidential races and seven governors. He appears frequently on local and national TV and radio broadcasts.

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs talks with legislators on the House floor at the state Capitol in Springfield on Jan. 7, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

State Treasurer Michael Frerichs declines US Senate bid

May 5, 2025 at 5:28 p.m.

Michael Frerichs, who has been Illinois state treasurer for three terms, will not run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Dick Durbin.

Former Gov. George Ryan leaves federal court with his family and lawyers on March 10, 2006. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Former Gov. George Ryan, who halted state’s death penalty but was imprisoned for corruption, dies at 91

May 3, 2025 at 10:36 a.m.

The 35-year political career of George Ryan, Illinois' governor from 1999 to 2003, was sullied by a conviction for corruption in 2006.

Gov. JB Pritzker on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" show with host Jimmy Kimmel on May 1, 2025. (Randy Holmes/Disney)

Gov. JB Pritzker mocks his weight, tells TV host Jimmy Kimmel he’s undecided on third term

May 2, 2025 at 3:01 p.m.

Latest appearance not only elevates Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's national stature but also increases speculation about 2028 presidential bid.

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a news conference on April 29, 2025, in Springfield. On Tuesday night, Pritzker and three other Democratic governors called for Democrats to mobilize and protest outside Republican congressional offices to oppose President Donald Trump's administrative actions. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker urges Democrats to protest at GOP congressional offices in response to President Donald Trump

April 30, 2025 at 5:18 p.m.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joined Democratic governors from Minnesota, New York and Massachusetts to slam President Trump policies at 100-day mark.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth speaks to reporters on Feb. 11, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorses Juliana Stratton for Dick Durbin’s seat

April 28, 2025 at 5:32 p.m.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorsed Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for Senate, giving Stratton backing from a second top state Democrat.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin greets U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Aug. 1, 2023, at a ceremony to commemorate the establishment of Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ at 4021 S. State St., where Mamie Till-Mobley once held an open-casket funeral for her brutally murdered son, sparking the Civil Rights Movement. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

With US Sen. Dick Durbin retiring, Illinois’ tradition of upstate-downstate senators is in peril

April 27, 2025 at 7:57 p.m.

Illinois voters have long embraced — whether by choice or chance — a tradition of splitting the state’s two Senate seats geographically. But those days may be ending.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton embraces Gov. JB Pritzker on April 25, 2025, where Pritzker endorsed her for U.S. Senate at a rally outside Bright Star Church Chicago. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker endorses Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton for US Senate

April 26, 2025 at 1:25 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker’s endorsement of Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton gives her a key edge in the race to replace retiring US Sen. Dick Durbin.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks during a news conference to sign the Dignity in Pay Act into law at the Access Living of Metro Chicago on Jan. 21, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton first major Democrat to declare bid for retiring Dick Durbin’s Senate seat

April 24, 2025 at 7:07 p.m.

Juliana Stratton, who has served as Illinois' lieutenant governor, has been public about her interest in Dick Durbin’s seat.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly greet people during a breakfast meeting with an American Federation of Government Employees group on Feb. 12, 2025, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Kelly is among the names who are anticipated to run for Sen. Durbin's seat as he annunced his retirement. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

US Sen. Dick Durbin’s retirement opens the floodgates for a number of potential successors

April 23, 2025 at 8:48 p.m.

Following Sen. Dick Durbin's decision, Illinois officeholders are looking at the potential risks and rewards of seeking a coveted US Senate seat.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin greets people inside the Lyndon B. Johnson Room at the Capitol, Feb. 12, 2025, during a meeting with the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council in Washington. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

US Sen. Dick Durbin says he won’t run for sixth term

April 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Dick Durbin, whose tenure as one of Illinois’ longest-serving U.S. senators has also been a testament to the power of seniority in the chamber, announced Wednesday he would not seek...

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