Chicago Tribune Wins Toner Prize for Immigration Reporting

Newsroom honored for in-depth coverage of Operation Midway Blitz immigration enforcement mission.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Chicago Tribune has been awarded the prestigious Toner Prize for local political reporting for its extensive coverage of Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Chicago area last fall. The judges cited the newspaper's riveting narratives documenting the human impacts of the raids on local communities, as well as its clear and compelling writing and powerful photography.

Why it matters

The Toner Prize is one of the most prestigious awards for political journalism in the United States, recognizing excellence in reporting that informs and engages the public. The Tribune's winning coverage shed light on the real-world consequences of federal immigration enforcement actions on local residents, an important story that resonates nationally.

The details

The Tribune's winning entry included several in-depth reports, including a story examining a federal raid on a South Shore apartment complex and another about the growing resistance among local residents against the operation. The newspaper's capstone piece, '64 Days in Chicago: The Story of Operation Midway Blitz,' also was part of the award-winning submission.

  • Operation Midway Blitz took place in the Chicago area last fall.
  • The Toner Prize ceremony honoring the Tribune's work will be held later this month in Washington, D.C.

The players

Chicago Tribune

A major daily newspaper serving the Chicago metropolitan area.

Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University

The academic institution that awards the prestigious Toner Prize for local political reporting.

Andrew Carter, Gregory Royal Pratt, Laura Rodríguez Presa, Caroline Kubzansky, Jason Meisner

Chicago Tribune reporters who were honored for their work covering Operation Midway Blitz.

Rick Rodriguez

Former executive editor and senior vice president of The Sacramento Bee, who served as a Toner Prize judge.

Maralee Schwartz

Former Washington Post political editor and reporter, who served as a Toner Prize judge.

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What they’re saying

“Riveting narratives documenting the human impacts of federal immigration raids on local communities. Stories like these take extensive research and effort to gain the trust of people in the super-charged environment. The writing was clear and compelling.”

— Rick Rodriguez, Former executive editor and senior vice president, The Sacramento Bee (Toner Prize judges)

“Spectacular work, beautifully written and reported — made all the more powerful by the photography.”

— Maralee Schwartz, Former Washington Post political editor and reporter (Toner Prize judges)

What’s next

The Tribune reporters will be honored for their award-winning coverage at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. later this month.

The takeaway

The Chicago Tribune's Toner Prize-winning reporting on Operation Midway Blitz underscores the vital role of local journalism in documenting the human impact of national policy decisions on communities. This recognition highlights the Tribune's commitment to impactful political coverage that informs and engages the public.