Tina Sfondeles

Chief Political Reporter

Tina 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.

2024 Democratic National Convention

No cracks in Blue Wall? Top Democrats vow Chicago is ready for convention, despite party divisions

Democrats are deeply focused on Wisconsin and Michigan to help bolster President Joe Biden’s re-election chances — and officials, in town for meetings hosted by the Democratic National Convention Committee, say they plan on showing voters a deep party contrast.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

In Chicago, Ukrainian prime minister seeks urgent military aid from Congress, Illinois investment

Ukrainian Prime Minster Denys Shmyhal joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker and President Joe Biden’s special representative Penny Pritzker to tout the importance of American investment in Ukraine.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

Pritzker creates new parole board post to ramp up domestic violence prevention training after killing of 11-year-old boy

The appointment of James Montgomery comes three weeks after chair Don Shelton and board member LeAnn Miller resigned. Miller oversaw the decision to release Crosetti Brand, who then allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend and killed her 11-year-old son Jayden Perkins.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

Pritzker pushes plan to erase $1 billion in medical debt for Illinoisans

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his proposal will provide nearly $1 billion in medical debt relief for an initial batch of 340,000 Illinois residents in the first year of a multi-year plan.

By Tina Sfondeles

Transportation

After Yellow Line crash, Illinois Senate clears bill requiring transit agencies to make safety recommendations public

A new measure would require the city and state’s transportation agencies to post safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board that have been made within the past 12 months.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

After Jayden Perkins' killing, state Senate Republicans want a parole board overhaul

Senate Republicans are pushing for reforms at the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, including requirements for appointees to have served at least 20 cumulative years in the criminal justice system. The board is under fire following its controversial decision to release a convicted felon who then allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend and her 11-year-old son.

By Tina Sfondeles

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Alicia Tate-Nadeau are seen in an image that combines two photos of them speaking at podiums.

Politics

Pritzker reappoints Tate-Nadeau to handle emergencies, but senators concerned over payroll scandal

State senators tasked with clearing Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s appointments are raising concerns over his renomination of Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau after the Sun-Times last year reported an executive assistant accounted for more than $240,000 in billings.

By Tina Sfondeles

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle pitched her 2024 budget to the Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday.

Elections

Pritzker sends Cook County Democratic Party $250K 'to turn out voters' in November

The funds will help target a big problem for a city opening its doors to President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Convention in August. Just 17.94% of registered voters in suburban Cook County and 25.7% of registered voters in Chicago voted in the March 19 primary.

By Tina Sfondeles

Crime

2 parole officials quit after released felon allegedly stabs ex-girlfriend, kills her 11-year-old son

“It is clear that evidence in this case was not given the careful consideration that victims of domestic violence deserve,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.

By Tom Schuba, Tina Sfondeles, and 1 more