Tina Sfondeles
Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago, IL, United States
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Past articles by Tina:
Private school leaders fight to save Invest in Kids Act scholarships
The program, which provides tuition assistance to about 9,500 Illinois children, will sunset Dec. 31 unless lawmakers extend it. → Read More
Democratic National Convention organizers tell visiting Dems inclusion of city neighborhoods is a top priority
DNC interim executive director Kaitlin Fahey said involvement of the city’s diverse neighborhoods, a focal point in Chicago’s bid to land the convention, will continue to be a priority. → Read More
Illinois lands Chinese EV battery plant as Pritzker, Duckworth seek more deals with Asian companies
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth are trying to seal deals with Asian companies — the governor with a direct line of communication with business heads, and Duckworth with two Asian trips under her belt this year. → Read More
Big Democratic convention preview in Chicago this week, VP Kamala Harris to talk to top donors
On Tuesday, state Democratic Party chairs get briefings on the 2024 convention and check out the hotels assigned to their delegations. Top donors are in the city Wednesday-Friday and will hear from the vice president. → Read More
Madigan won’t run for committeeperson, marking full stop end to his political career
Ald. Marty Quinn is circulating petitions for the 13th Ward spot after Madigan, 81, opted not to run. Madigan’s racketeering trial is set for April 1 — 13, days after the March 19 Illinois primary. → Read More
State issues guidance on co-pays for undocumented — just as advocates gathered to criticize Pritzker for health care cuts
Advocates argued the rules changes were too costly for low-income patients. The governor’s office said co-pays should not have been charged yet anyway, though they are expected to resume eventually. → Read More
Three women who brought #MeToo allegations against Madigan circle find relief and hope in guilty verdict of ex-top aide
The women went public with accusations of harassment, retaliation and cover-up by Madigan and those around him. Although the trial focused on charges that Mapes lied to a grand jury, the women say the verdict will still send a message to other victims. → Read More
Swifties, post-pandemic travelers help Illinois break hotel revenue record: ‘Our tourism industry is back and it’s booming’
Three consecutive Taylor Swift concerts in June helped to break an all-time hotel weekend occupancy record in Chicago. → Read More
Boosting the brand? Biden kicks off reelection message in Chicago with embrace of ‘Bidenomics’ tag
“We’ve added over 13 million jobs, more jobs in two years than any president has added in a four-year term. And folks, that’s no accident. That’s Bidenomics in action,” Biden told a crowd gathered Wednesday in the lobby of the Old Post Office. → Read More
Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community ‘visible, vibrant’ — but concerned for transgender members’ ability to live freely
As Pride Month comes to a close, the Sun-Times spoke to advocates, service providers and members of the LGBTQ+ community about issues affecting them — and what more needs to be done to protect them. → Read More
Mulling run for Congress, farmer Bailey sows seeds for support from indicted Trump: ‘It’s an honor to stand with this man’
Former GOP gubernatorial nomminee Darren Bailey is cozying up to Donald Trump as Bailey considers challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost. “What President Trump went through yesterday could happen to anyone of us for any reason!” Bailey wrote on Wednesday. → Read More
Pritzker delivers ‘The Office’-themed Northwestern commencement address — with Steve Carell in audience
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday gave Northwestern University graduates practical advice he learned from some of his favorite characters on “The Office.” But according to that other office — the governor’s office — Pritzker didn’t know one of the stars of the show would be there in person. → Read More
Ban the ban, not the book? Giannoulias caps return with string of legislative wins, including anti-censorship law
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias told the Sun-Times he was “blown away” after reading about book bans across the country. “To me, this is a slippery slope, and it goes against what education is about,” he said. → Read More
Pritzker touts early education funding in signing $50.4 billion budget
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has traveled the state this week to tout the budget’s funding of his Smart Start initiative, a focal point of his 2024 budget aimed at improving access to preschool, increasing funding for child care providers and investing in early childhood facilities. → Read More
Naperville Bears? Team exploring move to the western suburb, fearing potential Arlington Heights stadium is ‘at risk’
The proposal from Naperville comes as talks with Arlington Heights have stalled amid disagreements between the team and surrounding suburbs about taxing and school districts. The Bears vowed to keep working with Arlington Heights, but said “it is no longer our singular focus.” → Read More
Illinois House passes state budget with no Republican support
Just after 2:30 a.m., the House voted 73-38 to pass the budget, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker touted as his “fifth balanced budget,” vowing to sign it. → Read More
Lawmakers trudge ahead on state budget, but move to give up on elected school board map this year
The state Sentate had not yet begun debating the budget late Thursday. And completion of a final map of the districts of Chicago’s new elected school board could be pushed even further into the future, as the House voted to give themselves months more time to draw it up. → Read More
Pritzker, Democratic leaders reach budget deal, touting fiscal responsibility, unity — if not spending specifics
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch unveiled details of an agreement on a budget they said was balanced “without gimmicks.” → Read More
State lawmakers fail to finish budget, school district map, so they plan to try again next week
The General Assembly had planned to adjourn Friday, but Democratic leaders blew that self-imposed deadline. So lawmakers will return to Springfield on Wednesday to wrap up unfinished business, which includes the state budget and the elected school board map. → Read More
Democrats’ all-gender bathroom, gun lawsuit bills prompt heated debate — with GOP warnings of court challenges, violence
State Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Andalusia, told lawmakers that he would “beat the living p---” out of any man who walked into a restroom with his daughter. State Senate Majority Leader Kim Lightford said GOP critics “don’t understand that life is evolving.” → Read More