Pelosi, HRC on opposite sides over re-election of anti-LGBT Democrat

A coalition is seeking to unseat anti-LGBT Democrat Rep. Dan Lipinski , but he has support from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi . The nation's largest LGBT advocacy group is spearheading a $1.3 million effort to unseat from Congress a nearly extinct animal - an anti-LGBT Democrat - in an upcoming primary, but that effort runs contrary to the position of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi .

Ex-FBI official hoping to blaze a path to Congress as ‘cannabis candidate’

A former FBI employee is running for Congress as the "Cannabis Candidate," with a campaign ad featuring him smoking marijuana in front of an image of the American flag. Benjamin Thomas Wolf is one of three challengers to incumbent Rep. Mike Quigley in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 5th Congressional District, which includes parts of Chicago.

Illinois Democrats set up House floor showdown on gun curbs

Illinois House Democrats unleashed a bevy of proposed restrictions on firearms Tuesday, an urgent response to the Florida high school shooting as well as the fatal shooting of a Chicago police officer a day earlier. The Judiciary-Criminal Committee approved five gun-control measures including barring anyone younger than 21 from buying an assault-style weapon, prohibiting the purchase of large-capacity ammunition feeders and outlawing civilian use of body armor.

Democrats set up for gun control votes Wednesday as CPD top cop Johnson pushes for changes

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, shakes hands with Rep. Daniel Burke, D-Chicago, on Feb. 27, 2018, after new gun legislation passed a committee in Springfield. Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, left, shakes hands with Rep. Daniel Burke, D-Chicago, on Feb. 27, 2018, after new gun legislation passed a committee in Springfield.

Gorsuch silent as divided Supreme Court spars over unions

With the justice holding the decisive vote silent, a divided Supreme Court sparred Monday over a case that could undermine the financial footing of labor unions that represent government workers. The justices heard arguments in a challenge to an Illinois law that allows unions representing government employees to collect fees from workers who choose not to join.

Justice Gorsuch silent as divided Supreme Court spars over unions

With the justice holding the decisive vote silent, a divided Supreme Court sparred Monday over a case that could undermine the financial footing of labor unions that represent government workers. The justices heard arguments in a challenge to an Illinois law that allows unions representing government employees to collect fees from workers who choose not to join.

Supreme Court to hear case on unions, non-member financial requirements

The Supreme Court will wade into a clash between organized labor and conservative groups Monday in a case that could overturn decades-old precedent and deal a potentially crippling blow to public sector unions. The case is one of the most contentious in a pivotal term, and protesters from both sides are expected to flood the Court Monday morning.

Foreign leaders seek fresh ties with US governors, mayors

Foreign leaders are looking to cultivate stronger ties with US governors and mayors, an interest that will be on display at this weekend's meeting of governors FILE - In this Jan. 18, 2018, file photo, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull arrives at Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's official residence for a meeting in Tokyo. When Turnbull arrives in Washington this week for consultations with President Donald Trump, he won't be traveling solo.

David Geffen Fast Facts

The David Geffen Medical College Scholarship fund offers full tuition to the school's best applicants who attend the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Under Geffen's tenure, Geffen Records was home to popular artists such as Cher, Donna Summer, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Elton John, and Guns 'N' Roses.

Lies and Failed Security Clearances

In the world of President Donald Trump, a failure to obtain necessary security clearances does not mean much if someone works for the President of the United States. In 1981, I joined the Congressional office staff of Rep. Paul Findley as press secretary and legislative assistant and we moved to Washington after 17 years as a newspaperman in Illinois and Virginia.