Articles filed under U.S. Congress

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Hultgren holds meeting on reducing backlog of veteran claims Jul 18, 2014 5:21 PM
By James Fuller Congressman Randy Hultgren sorted through gripes with various veterans groups about the quality of services they receive through the government Friday. Chief among the complaints is an average three year waiting time to work through the appeals process when benefits are denied. One interesting proposal involved a process that defaults in favor of the veteran if the appeal isn't handled in a timely fashion.
Republicans have some catching up to do in suburban races, monetarily speaking Jul 15, 2014 5:15 PM
By Mike Riopell Incumbent Democrats in the suburbs’ three biggest races for Congress are heading toward November with sometimes sizable cash advantages Republicans challengers will have to try to overcome, reports filed Tuesday show.
Singer Pat Boone backs suburban Republican Jul 8, 2014 4:01 PM
By Mike Riopell Legendary singer Pat Boone, famous for hit songs in the 1950s and 1960s, praised Republican Larry Kaifesh of Carpentersville for Congress Tuesday on behalf of a national organization for seniors. “I’m still singing at concerts, but today I’m singing the praises of Larry Kaifesh,” Boone said.
Atanus disputes email announcing withdrawal from 9th district race Jul 4, 2014 9:16 PM
By Katlyn Smith Susanne Atanus said Friday evening that she did not send an email announcing her withdrawal from the 9th Congressional District race, citing health issues. Atanus, of Niles, made national headlines in January after telling the Daily Herald Editorial Board that "God is angry. We are provoking him with abortions and same-sex marriage and civil unions."
Roskam: Whip race ‘was a regional issue’ Jun 27, 2014 1:00 PM
By Mike Riopell A week after losing his bid to become the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House, Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton said his position as a Republican from a Democratic-leaning state proved to be the deciding factor. “When it all came down to it, it was a regional issue,” Roskam said this week. “And the argument that prevailed was we need a southern member or we need a red state member to sit at the leadership table.”
Roskam could be out of leadership after losing whip bid Jun 19, 2014 8:29 PM
By Mike Riopell U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton lost his bid to move up the House Republican power ladder today, losing the whip job to Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Roskam could be out of the leadership picture for now as Scalise gets to pick his right-hand lawmaker and could be expected to reward an ally who helped him rise.
Lawmakers want new hearings on O’Hare noise Jun 19, 2014 6:37 PM
Associated Press Three members of Congress are calling on the Federal Aviation Administration to hold new public hearings and redo an environmental impact study of the O’Hare International Airport modernization project. U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley, Tammy Duckworth and Jan Schakowsky accused the FAA of failing to focus on areas most affected by the changes during public hearings.
Duckworth to Congress: Buy stamps Jun 18, 2014 6:05 PM
By Mike Riopell U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth wants members of Congress to lose their ability to send mass mailings from their offices with just a signature — no stamp needed.
Thursday brings Roskam’s chance to move up Jun 19, 2014 5:35 AM
By Mike Riopell U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam’s bid to become the No. 3 Republican in the House will be put to a vote Thursday as federal GOP lawmakers meet to pick their leaders. Roskam is vying against Reps. Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana. He has stayed mostly quiet publicly about his effort but has spent hours at the Capitol trying to win support of Republicans. He devoted the weekend to asking for support over the phone from the suburbs.
Republicans prep big ad blitz for Dold Jun 18, 2014 9:26 AM
By Mike Riopell A Republican political committee has reserved $800,000 for TV ads to support Bob Dold of Kenilworth in his 10th District rematch race against Democratic U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield.
Lawmaker wants probe of $33 million health campaign Jun 16, 2014 5:20 PM
Associated Press A Republican state lawmaker from Naperville has called for an investigation into how Illinois spent $33 million in federal money to promote President Barack Obama’s health care law — including hiring a high-priced public relations firm and paying far more per enrollee on television ads than any other large state.
Roskam campaigns to become majority whip Jun 13, 2014 8:36 PM
By Steve Zalusky In a letter to members of the House Republican Conference Friday evening, Congressman Peter Roskam of Wheaton asked for support in his bid for majority whip. Roskam wrote that Republicans need to articulate "where we want our policies and our country to be in 10, 20, and 50 years, so the American people know where we stand and what we are fighting for into the future.”
Rauner joins Duffy on barbershop tour Jun 13, 2014 5:26 AM
Republican candidate for governor Bruce Rauner joined state Sen. Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington on a tour of barbershops on the South Side of Chicago last weekend. Duffy, who was born on the South Side, has done the tour via the Young Government organization regularly over the past five years in an effort to learn the concerns of small business owners and voters in the black community.
Duckworth in Elk Grove Village Saturday Jun 12, 2014 7:06 PM
Daily Herald report Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth will be at the Elk Grove Village Public Library Saturday as part of a “Congress at Your Corner” appearance. The event will be a chance for residents of the 8th Congressional District to share their questions, comments and concerns with Duckworth, officials said.
Roskam would run to move up in wake of Cantor’s loss Jun 11, 2014 7:01 PM
By Mike Riopell Congressman Peter Roskam of Wheaton would run to move up a spot in the House Republican leadership team if there’s an opening in the wake of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s stunning primary loss Tuesday, sources close to him say. Roskam, Republicans’ chief deputy whip and No. 4 on the GOP power ladder, would run for the whip job if Cantor left his post in the coming days and the spot came open, the sources said.
What does Cantor's loss mean for Roskam? Jun 11, 2014 9:18 AM
By Mike Riopell Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert said it's too early to tell if House Majority Leader Eric Cantor's stunning primary loss Tuesday could spark a Republican leadership change that sends U.S Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton further up the GOP power ladder. “It's more complicated,” said Hastert, who rose to the speakership in 1999 from the spot Roskam occupies. “I don't think that's going to happen.”
Duckworth tours Des Plaines ‘green’ gas business Jun 6, 2014 5:33 PM
Daily Herald report Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth and Department of Energy officials on Friday toured the Gas Technology Institute facility in Des Plaines to promote the business’ renewable fuels work.
State law requires millions of dollars in mailers Jun 6, 2014 8:15 AM
By Mike Riopell Democracy costs money, and the multiple efforts to change the Illinois Constitution on the ballot in November could cost the state as much as $4 million in printing, mailing and advertising to tell you about it. State law requires Secretary of State Jesse White's office to print and mail about 5.4 million pamphlets — one to every household in the state, plus a few to keep around if anyone wants one.
Democrat Anderson bashes GOP during forum Jun 4, 2014 10:46 AM
By James Fuller Urged on by a left-leaning audience, Democratic congressional candidate Dennis Anderson engaged in some Republican Party bashing Tuesday night in St. Charles. He's challenging Republican Randy Hultgren for the 14th Congressional District seat in November. Anderson also once again put out a challenge to incumbent Republican Randy Hultgren of Winfield to debate him on any or all of those statements. Hultgren and Anderson only had one full debate in their 2012 race.
Durbin blasts CN, warns feds could increase monitoring Jun 4, 2014 5:30 PM
By Marni Pyke Don't brush off Illinois or you may face more federal scrutiny, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin cautioned CN this week. Durbin's letter politely told the Canadian National Railroad it was not living up to its promises, disrespecting towns and messing up state projects.