Cohen at the Convention: Elizabeth Warren shows why she’s the Democrats’ attack dog

The keynote speech on the first night of the Democratic National Convention is usually delivered by one of the party's rising stars. The keynoter usually appears in prime time, for maximum exposure, striking a certain tone.

Striking Similarities: Passages from Melania Trump’s convention…

Melania Trump's speech Monday to the Republican National Convention has come under fire as it appears that two of the passages are strikingly similar to the speech first lady Michelle Obama gave in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention. The passages in question focus on lessons that Melania Trump, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, said she learned from her parents and the relevance of their lessons in her experience as a mother.

Some Melania Trump speech lines mirror Michelle Obama speech

CLEVELAND >> Melania Trump's well-received speech Monday to the Republican National Convention contained two passages that match nearly word-for-word the speech that first lady Michelle Obama delivered in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention. The passages in question focus on lessons that Mrs. Trump, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, said she learned from her parents and the relevance of their lessons in her experience as a mother.

Struggle to unify GOP evident as convention opens

Illinois delegate Christian Gramm, left, and other delegates react as some call for a roll call vote on the adoption of the rules during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, July 18, 2016. less Illinois delegate Christian Gramm, left, and other delegates react as some call for a roll call vote on the adoption of the rules during first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Monday, ... more Donald Trump promised a "monumentally magnificent" display of at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, which kicked off Monday.

Top Illinois Republicans are no-shows in Cleveland

The quadrennial celebration of the Grand Old Party in Cleveland this week will be missing some key members from Illinois. Top Republicans from the Land of Lincoln are taking a pass on the Republican National Convention where delegates are expected to nominate contentious real estate developer Donald Trump.

Once again, President Obama tries to convince America that it is united

President Obama hugs Dallas Police Chief David Brown during a memorial service Tuesday for five slain police officers. The president who acknowledged the elusive nature of national unity on Tuesday seemed far removed from the little-known state senator who made his political mark boasting of its presence.

Bill Clinton is both a reward and a risk to wife’s campaign

Former President Bill Clinton, left, stands on stage with his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, after she spoke during a presidential primary election night rally in New York. His popularity among Democrats is off the charts, he's a fundraising powerhouse and his administration is hailed by many as a high-water mark of economic prosperity.

Temporary state budget fix gets few cheers

Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks at the Illinois State Capitol with Republican leaders Rep. Jim Durkin and Sen. Christine Radogno June 30. For a state that has been livin' on a prayer - and court decrees - for agency funding, a stopgap budget that only gets "halfway there" seems both ironic and appropriate. State lawmakers' compromise move Thursday to approve a six-month budget ensures that schools dependent on state funding, including Chicago Public Schools, open in the fall.

The Latest: Rauner signs stopgap budget deal

The Latest on Illinois lawmakers' attempts to approve a stopgap state budget and money for schools : Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed legislation that ensures public schools stay open for a year and provides colleges and social services programs money for six months. The Republican governor signed the partial budget Thursday evening after he and Democratic leaders crafted a deal after days of negotiations.

GOP, Democrats say progress made in Illinois budget talks

CHICAGO – Gov. Bruce Rauner and majority Democrats were pushing competing plans to ensure schools stay open and government operations continue, though there were signs late Tuesday that the two sides could reach a deal on stopgap spending as Illinois approaches a second year without a full state budget. Legislative leaders left a nearly three-hour meeting with the Republican governor saying they had made progress and would meet again Wednesday morning.

Workplace retaliation suit against Tammy Duckworth settled

A settlement in the workplace retaliation lawsuit against U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth concluded Friday with an agreement that no law was violated, removing an obstacle in her bid to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk in one of November's most competitive Senate races. The lawsuit from two employees of a home for veterans alleged Democrat Duckworth violated state ethics laws by taking action against them when she was head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Ex-US House Speaker Dennis Hastert starts prison term

Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert arrived at a Minnesota prison on Wednesday to serve his 15-month sentence in a hush-money case involving revelations that he sexually abused at least four boys when he coached wrestling at an Illinois high school. The 74-year-old Illinois Republican - one of the highest-ranking U.S. politicians to ever go to prison - arrived around noon at the facility in Rochester where he will be known as Inmate No.

Profile: Hillary Clinton poised to be first female standard-bearer of major U.S. political party

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Monday reached the number of delegates required to notch the Democratic nomination, according to the Associated Press's latest delegate count. The tally included the overwhelming support by unpledged delegates or superdelegates for her.

Hillary Clinton wins Puerto Rico primary

Washington, June 6 : Democratic party front-runner Hillary Clinton won Puerto Rico's primary on Sunday, putting her on a trajectory to claim the party's presidential nomination on Tuesday. At the time the race was called, she had 64 per cent of the vote to 34 per cent of the vote for rival Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Illinois looks poised to enter 2nd year without budget

" Illinois appears poised to enter a second year without a budget after lawmakers finished their legislative session Tuesday without agreement on a spending plan, setting up a November electoral showdown while public schools and social service providers brace for an uncertain future. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's suggestion for a last-minute, short-term budget to give the state some near-term stability amid the 11-month impasse also failed to gain traction with Democrats.

Is Primary Rivalry Making The Democratic Party Stronger Like It Did In 2008?

Sen. Barack Obama, as Democratic presidential candidate, and former candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton appear together at a Women For Obama fundraiser New York, July, 2008. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images hide caption Sen. Barack Obama, as Democratic presidential candidate, and former candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton appear together at a Women For Obama fundraiser New York, July, 2008.