Tina Sfondeles
Chief Political Reporter, Chicago Sun-TimesTina Sfondeles is the chief political reporter, covering all levels of government and politics with a special focus on the Illinois General Assembly, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration and statewide and federal elections.
Sfondeles spent much of the pandemic in Washington, D.C. — covering the White House and co-authoring the West Wing Playbook for Politico. She also covered the White House and Democratic politics and policy as a politics correspondent for Insider. Sfondeles joined the Sun-Times in 2007, covering politics, transportation, crime and sports — and returned to the newspaper in 2022.
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The governor’s office on Friday disclosed that Pritzker will fulfill his regular duties next week but “pause public events while resting.” -
Users on apps like Kalshi and Polymarket are betting on everything from the results of elections to economic decisions and war outcomes — even what words President Donald Trump will say in speeches. The governor said he’s concerned about the lack of oversight, including bets on events which can be influenced by state employees. -
The Bears continue to weigh whether to build a stadium in Arlington Heights or Northwest Indiana. A new property tax relief element to a measure that would allow the Bears to renegotiate their property taxes with the northwest suburb is seen as essential in getting support from lawmakers outside of Chicago, including Republicans. -
The pause in funding comes about a week after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said it was freezing child care funds in Minnesota, and asking for an audit of day care centers amid allegations of fraud by day care centers run by Somali residents. -
U.S. Reps. Darin LaHood, Mary Miller and Mike Bost, staunch Trump allies, penned the request on Tuesday. -
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin insists “we aren’t leaving Chicago,” but the feds’ immigration campaign is expected to begin winding down. However, one source said they could come back with even greater numbers next March. -
Gov. JB Pritzker responded Wednesday morning, writing on X, “I will not back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power. What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?” -
Military troops arrived at an Elwood training center after weeks of threats from President Donald Trump’s administration, over the objections of local leaders. -
Trump’s wide-ranging and unprecedented address to military leaders in Quantico, Virginia comes a day after Gov. JB Pritzker said he’ had received word that the Department of Homeland Security wants to send in 100 “military troops” to Illinois to help protect ICE facilities and personnel. -
Pritzker said the Illinois National Guard obtained a memo that the Department of Homeland Security sent to the Defense Department which sought to request 100 military personnel for Illinois.
