In the News
The impact of the federal sequester heavily influenced President Barack Obama's speech to scientists at Argonne National Laboratory Friday afternoon, as he painted a bleak picture of American research being outpaced if funding dries up.
"In a time where every month you've got to replace your smartphone, imagine what that means when China, Germany and Japan are pumping up basic research and we're just sitting there doing nothing," he said.
A day after Speaker Michael Madigan pronounced the gay marriage bill 12 votes short, a group pushing the issue tried to recapture momentum by announcing support from seven Illinois Democratic congressmen --- even though they don't get to vote in Springfield.
The letter, written to members of the Illinois General Assembly by North Side and west suburban U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Chicago Democrat, was the latest move by same-sex marriage supporters to try to step up pressure for a vote on the bill.
WASHINGTON--As the Illinois House in Springfield nears a vote on gay marriage, seven Illinois members of Congress--all Democrats from the Chicago area-- urged passage of the "Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act."
Signing the letter were Reps. Danny Davis, Luis Gutierrez, Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, Tammy Duckworth, Brad Schneider and Bill Foster.
Six members of the Illinois congressional delegation sent a letter in support of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act to the Illinois General Assembly today.
Seven Illinois members of Congress have sent a letters to the Illinois General Assembly, urging the passage of equal marriage legislation. Rep. Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky, Tammy Duckworth, Danny Davis, Bill Foster, Luis Gutierrez and Brad Schneider are among those pressing for the passage of the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act The letter argues that the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act will strengthen families and protect religious institutions.
A third Illinois Democrat has joined with a Pennsylvania Republican in the U.S. House to back a bill designed to help manufacturers get more quality help.
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster of Aurora announced he will co-cosponsor a measure that would create industry-approved, nationwide training standards in certain business sectors.
Specifically, workers who complete federally funded training programs or otherwise meet set criteria would get a standardized credential that sponsors hope would be recognized nationwide.
Newly-elected U.S. Rep. Bill Foster is set to take measures built on what makes the most business sense with independent solutions to today's problems — even if it means he has to compromise.
With no resolution in sight when it comes to finding a balance between bringing down the federal deficit and ensuring that the social safety net stays intact, many of the nation's most vulnerable citizens are concerned about the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
Three Democratic members of Congress met with seniors in Des Plaines Friday to talk about protecting Social Security, Medicare, and the ongoing negotiations over automatic spending cuts, known as the sequester.
Eighth District Representative Tammy Duckworth, of Hoffman Estates, 9th District Representative Jan Schakowsky, of Evanston, and 11th District Representative Bill Foster, of Naperville, were part of a panel at the city's Frisbie Senior Center.