Trump dismisses Haiti, African countries with vulgarity

Trump's contemptuous description of an entire continent startled lawmakers in the meeting and immediately revived charges that the president is racist. The White House did not deny his remark but issued a statement saying Trump supports immigration policies that welcome "those who can contribute to our society."

Report shows federal bloat in Illinois

A new searchable map of government bloat shows there are almost as many federal government employees in Illinois as there are state employees, and their benefits are generous. OpenTheBooks.com 's latest project, "Mapping The Swamp: A Study of the Administrative State," allows visitors to search their ZIP code to find out how many federal employees are in their backyard.

Illinois legislators react to possible DOJ move on marijuana prohibition

State lawmakers are unclear what the U.S. Department of Justice's threats Thursday to enforce federal marijuana prohibition on states with legal pot sales will mean for Illinois. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, and reports from Washington suggest that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions intends to give district prosecutors more discretion to enforce cannabis prohibition at the state level.

Democrats vying to oppose Roskam give views on health care

With three candidates who are cancer survivors, health care issues are personal for several of the seven Democrats hoping to earn their party's nomination to face incumbent Republican Rep. Peter Roskam next November in the 6th Congressional District. Candidates Amanda Howland, Kelly Mazeski and Becky Anderson Wilkins each told a crowd of 800 at a recent forum in Carol Stream the basics of their cancer survival stories as they explained why affordable health care matters.

2018 brings governor’s race, other big contests in Illinois

All statewide offices will be on the ballot on Nov. 8, but no contest will be as fevered i 1 2 or costly i 1 2 as the governor's race. Already, the candidates are raising and spending money at a pace that could make this the most expensive governor's race in U.S. history.

Hundreds of new laws to take effect in 2018

It was a big year in the Illinois statehouse with lawmakers ending an historic budget impasse and approving an income tax hike, overhauling how public schools get funding and allowing automatic voter registration. The laws cover numerous topics, including the expansion of taxpayer-funded abortions, celebrating Barack Obama's presidency, allowing tax credits for private school scholarships, criminal justice reforms and a circus-related ban.

Judge dismisses public-pay abortion challenge, appeal next

AP photo Illinois Assistant Attorney General John Wolfsmith argues in Sangamon County Circuit Court in Springfield, Ill., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, against a lawsuit challenging a law allowing publicly financed abortions set to take effect Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Wolfsmith said the plaintiffs in the case, 11 Christian and conservative groups and a dozen state legislators, were trying to stall for time by delaying implementation of the law to June 1. A judge dismissed the lawsuit, saying the plaintiffs' arguments are "political questions" best left to the General Assembly.

Remembering Ex-Rep. John B. Anderson: Why Did He Move From Hard Right to Strong Left?

Since his death December 3, former Rep. John B. Anderson of Illinois has been lionized in the national press as one of the last politically influential liberal Republicans. The white-haired Anderson's quixotic bid for his party's nomination in 1980 has been the topic of numerous articles and televised panels - as has his subsequent run as an Independent that fall against Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter .

Lessons from the African American Vote in Alabama

Dr. John E. Warren says that African Americans should be focused on "voter registration" and not candidate endorsements at this stage of the game. The African Americans who have convinced themselves that one vote doesn't matter, should take a very close look at what happened during the recent special election in Alabama.

House, Senate vote today on tax overhaul plan

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, accompanied by Rep. Kevin McCarthy , and Rep. Steve Scalise , speaks at a news conference following a closed House Republican conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Dec. 19, 2017. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks at a news conference about the Republican led tax reform bill at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Dec. 19, 2017.

Rep. Gutierrez of Illinois says it’s ‘my time to move on’

Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, a Democratic party leader on efforts to overhaul the nation's immigration laws, announced Tuesday he won't seek re-election next year after 13 terms. "This is my time to move on," the congressman said at a Chicago news conference.

Ballots to take shape as Illinois candidates begin filing today

Though it seems like it's been going on for months, Illinois' election season hits an important milestone today as the official lineup of candidates begins to take shape. Candidates for Congress, Illinois governor and other statewide offices, the Illinois legislature and county offices can begin filing their nominating petitions today.

Ivanka Trump: Malia Obama should be ‘off limits’ to media

Ivanka Trump is condemning recent tabloid coverage of President Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia, saying the college student deserves privacy and ought to be "OFF limits." NEW YORK - Ivanka Trump is condemning recent tabloid coverage of President Barack Obama's eldest daughter Malia, saying the college student deserves privacy and ought to be "OFF limits."

How will Trump’s presidency impact 2018 DuPage, Kane County elections?

President Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing from the south lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on November 21, 2017. President Donald Trump speaks to the press before departing from the south lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on November 21, 2017.