Olivia Olander

Olivia Olander is the Chicago-based state government reporter at the Tribune, covering Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly and state agencies. She previously covered labor and employment policy for POLITICO in Washington. Olivia is a graduate of Northwestern University and grew up in the suburbs of San Diego.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, center, weeps with staffers Leslie Combs, right, and Taina Rodriguez while posing for photos at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk on May 5, 2025, after she announced she will not run for re-election next year. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

US Rep. Jan Schakowsky, congresswoman since 1999, announces she will not seek another term next year

May 5, 2025 at 5:46 p.m.

US Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who defeated opponents including JB Pritzker in 1998 to first win a reliably Democratic Illinois district, will not run for reelection next year.

Penny Pritzker embraces husband, Bryan Traubert, after she was sworn in as Commerce secretary during a ceremony on June 26, 2013, in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty)

Gov. JB Pritzker appoints brother-in-law to U. of I. board

May 5, 2025 at 9:13 a.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday appointed his brother-in-law to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event at the University of Illinois Chicago on April 28, 2025. The day before, Pritzker spoke at a New Hampshire Democratic Party fundraising dinner. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker dismisses as ‘ridiculous’ GOP accusations he urged violence in New Hampshire speech

April 28, 2025 at 6:13 p.m.

Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday rejected accusations from Republicans that he had called for violence in a fiery New Hampshire speech.

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.

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky listens while Mayor Brandon Johnson appears before the House Oversight Committee on March 5, 2025, during a hearing on Capitol Hill about sanctuary cities and immigration policy. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

US Rep. Jan Schakowsky says she’ll make announcement on her future at May 5 lunch event

April 28, 2025 at 1:02 p.m.

Longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky will announce whether she plans to seek reelection in less than two weeks, she wrote Wednesday in a social media post.

Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones talks to area residents about property tax increases in the south suburbs on July 22, 2024, at Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

State Rep. Thaddeus Jones spent thousands on legal fees amid federal investigation sources say is ongoing

April 23, 2025 at 11:48 a.m.

State Rep. and Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones is spending thousands on legal fees amid a federal investigation that sources said is ongoing.

The building known as the former John Hancock Center is reflected in a puddle as a person walks on North Michigan Avenue after rain passed through the area on April 20, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Heavy rain in Chicago delays Easter Sunday Cubs game

April 20, 2025 at 6:52 p.m.

Afternoon egg hunts and the Cubs game were interrupted Sunday by a bout of heavy rain across the Chicago area. Stormy weather is expected overnight.

State Sen. Robert Peters speaks at a news conference outside the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Sept. 18, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois allows kids as young as 10 to be put in detention. A bill before the state House could change that.

April 19, 2025 at 7:34 a.m.

Juvenile justice advocates are pushing a bill that would largely ban the detention of kids 12 and under.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon answers a question about campaign donations he received that are under scrutiny during a news conference at RR Trade School in Melrose Park on April 14, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon appeals $4M dispute with state elections board

April 16, 2025 at 3:48 p.m.

Senate President Don Harmon is appealing Illinois election officials' assertion he accepted $4 million more in political cash than allowed.

Mónica Mendoza en el atrio del campus Skokie de Oakton College, 24 de marzo de 2025. Mendoza se graduará en mayo con un título de asociado en educación infantil. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

El impulso del gobernador J.B. Pritzker para permitir que los colegios comunitarios ofrezcan títulos de cuatro años enfrenta un desafío en Springfield

April 16, 2025 at 6:45 a.m.

Porque cree que podría ayudar a los estudiantes como ella a completar su educación sin tener que esforzarse tanto económicamente y de otra manera, Mendoza está abogando por una propuesta...

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