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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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. -
A letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem questions the “military-style tactics” of ICE agents and asks for a definitive answer into how many Illinois arrests have been made since federal authorities announced the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz” on Sept. 8. -
Appearing on MSNBC’s “The Briefing with Jen Psaki,” the Democratic governor accused President Donald Trump of following an authoritarian playbook by silencing his opponents and urged Americans to “write letters, write e-mails, post online, speak up [and] protest” ABC’s decision. -
Sources close to the governor told the Sun-Times that Ben Bergquam’s video has prompted additional concerns over Pritzker’s safety. The Illinois State Police Executive Protection Unit currently provides 24-hour security for the governor, his family and the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield. -
President Donald Trump on Tuesday night told reporters that he would focus on sending the guard to another city and said he’s working with a governor “who would love us to be there.” The president has yet to announce which city he was referencing. -
The Abraham family has been vocal about their daughter’s death — and blaming Illinois Democrats for sanctuary policies as they argue that the country needs stricter vetting policies. -
President Trump launches long-promised Chicago deportation campaign, dubbed 'Operation Midway Blitz'In a post on the social media platform X, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the operation would target undocumented immigrants who have sought refuge in Illinois and Chicago.
