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.

In tight re-election bid, Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk steps away from GOP

Sen. Mark Kirk made his second appearance in Chicago's gay Pride Parade this year. He broke ranks to support Democrat-backed gun control measures and called his party's presumptive presidential nominee "too bigoted and racist" for the job.

In tight race, Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk steps away from GOP

" Sen. Mark Kirk made his second appearance in Chicago's gay Pride Parade this year. He broke ranks to support Democrat-backed gun control measures and called his party's presumptive presidential nominee "too bigoted and racist" for the job.

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.

Ex-Rep. Walsh stands by a Watch out Obamaa tweet

CHICAGO – A former Illinois congressman said Friday he's standing by a Twitter post he sent after the fatal shooting of police officers in Dallas in which he said President Barack Obama should “Watch out” and “Real America is coming after you.” Joe Walsh told The Associated Press on Friday he didn't intend to incite violence against Obama or anyone else. The one-term Republican congressman and syndicated radio talk show host from suburban Chicago is known for his often-provocative comments.

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.

Nation-Now 31 mins ago 5:18 p.m.Trump foes try to create a ballot spot for a challenger-to-be-named

The so-called #NeverTrump movement has not come up with a candidate to stop Donald Trump's run for the White House, but a new group is trying to make sure that if they do, that candidate will have a place on ballots nationwide. John Kingston, a longtime Republican donor and ally of Mitt Romney, has put up seed money for a new group called Better for America to get a spot on ballots for a presidential candidate to be named later.

Breitbart News Daily Callers Celebrate Brexit, Credit Breitbart – for Bringing Us the Truth’

On the morning after the United Kingdom's historic Brexit vote declaring independence from the European Union, Breitbart News Daily's American listeners called into the SiriusXM show to express their solidarity with the people of Great Britain and their hopes for what this portends for America's populist movement in the November election. Callers offered jubilant congratulations to the United Kingdom on their "Independence Day" from the bureaucratic elites of the European Union.

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.

Biggest Healthcare Fraud Scheme in U.S. History Just Caught by DOJ

The Department of Justice announced on June 22 that it made 301 arrests in what's being called the biggest healthcare fraud takedown in U.S. history. The Medicare Fraud Strike Force - part of a joint initiative between the DOJ and the Health and Human Services Department - busted doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals for allegedly running scams that bilked the government out of $900 million.

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.

New leadership for Politicoa s influential Playbook

The website Politico appointed two reporters on Monday to replace Mike Allen at Playbook, which rapidly grew from a morning email to his bosses into a must-read newsletter for Washington power players and those who want to eavesdrop on their conversations. Politico's Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman will take over the newsletter on July 11, Politico said.