DHS Inspector to Probe Implementation of Trump’s Immigration Ban

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General on Wednesday announced that it is reviewing the DHS' implementation of President Trump's controversial executive order issued last week that bans immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations and puts a halt to admitting refugees. In a statement released late Wednesday night, the Inspector's General's office said the review of how the executive order was rolled out is in response to "congressional request and whistleblower and hotline complaints."

Tensions erupt in Senate over Trump nominees

Tensions erupted in the Senate Tuesday as Democrats stalled several of President Donald Trump's Cabinet picks, frustrating Republicans who accused Democrats of playing politics to try to hurt Trump and make Senate Republicans look ineffective. Party leaders squared off after a fast-paced and chaotic morning when Democrats on one committee abruptly boycotted a hearing where two top administration officials were expected to clear votes to advance to the floor.

Trump Immigration Order Under Scrutiny as Dems Debate Sessions Vote

Just days after a fire destroyed a mosque in Victoria, Texas, a GoFundMe page set up by a mosque member has raised nearly $1 million to help rebuild the m... -- A teenager who said he left a Quebec City mosque minutes before a gunman stormed in and killed six people inside said the attack made him "scared out of my mi... All cattle and calves in the United States, as of January 1, 2017, totaled 93.6 million head. This is 2 percent above the 91.9 million head on January 1, 2016.

Area Hospitals suggesting visit guidelines for Flu Season

ILLINOIS Hospitals across the state are reminding visitors that everyone plays an important role in keeping patients safe this flu season. Memorial Health System is recommending visitors to its four hospitals Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville and Taylorville Memorial Hospital limit their visits to only two visitors per patient.

Cory Booker seizes big moment with historic move against another senator

Sen. Cory Booker will make history Wednesday when he becomes the first sitting senator to testify against another sitting senator for a Cabinet post as he fights Jeff Sessions' nomination to become President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. The decision has thrust Booker, a New Jersey Democrat and fixture on lists of potential 2020 presidential candidates, into the limelight.

Tammy Duckworth sworn-in as new US senator for Illinois

Vice President Joe Biden has sworn in Tammy Duckworth as Illinois' new U.S. senator at a ceremony in Washington. Duckworth's press secretary, Sean Savett, says U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois escorted Duckworth to the Tuesday afternoon ceremony.

Cities, counties plan immigrant legal aid after Trump’s win

Major U.S. cities and counties are beefing up legal services for immigrants to help them fight deportation and avoid fraudulent lawyers in the wake of Donald Trump's election and his hard-line immigration enforcement promises. Tapping local government funds to represent immigrants in federal proceedings provides an early example of the type of pushback the Republican incoming president will receive in Democratic strongholds.

Most Valley Congressmen, senators support cyber hacking probe

With Illinois Senator Dick Durbin calling for a National Intelligence Estimate on the subject, most - but not all - members of the Wabash Valley Congressional delegation support investigations by Congress and the Obama Administration into possible Russian intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Durbin is among nine Democratic senators who this week called on James Clapper, director of national intelligence, to provide an authoritative assessment of the collective judgment of the nation's 16 intelligence agencies into allegations Russia intervened in the election, possibly to assist Donald Trump, and publication of an unclassified summary of key judgments by Jan. 20, 2017.

Liberals, Media Allies Might Face Some Serious Opposition on Financial Regulation

New York State's Department of Labor recently made headlines with its rules mandating that employers paying their workforces with prepaid debit cards ensure that employees have "unlimited, free withdrawals" from at least one nearby ATM. This must be the case even if the employees have no bank accounts.

Highlights From Senate Hearing On Ag Consolidation

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SENATE HEARING ON AG CONSOLIDATION Sep. 21, 2016 AP reports: Top officials for Monsanto and Bayer defended their proposed $66 billion merger before skeptical senators on Tuesday, insisting that the deal would lead to greater investments in technology that could help American farmers. Monsanto, the American seed and weed-killer, and Bayer, the German medicine and farm-chemical maker, responded to concerns from Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

U.S. gives tentative OK to flights to Cuba from 10 US cities

A “quinceanera” poses during a March 14 photo session in front of a cathedral as tourists line up to enter the building in Havana. Scheduled commercial airline service to Havana from 10 American cities won tentative government approval Thursday, advancing President Barack Obama's effort to normalize relations with Cuba.

Kirk was only Republican to oppose restricting sanctuary cities

Illinois' U.S. Senator Mark Kirk was the only Republican to vote "No" on Louisiana Senator David Vitter' s proposal known as "Kate's Law," earlier this week. Illinois' other Senator Dick Durbin also voted "No," effectively blocking the bill the 60 votes needed for the bill move forward.