Congressman invites Illinois teacher to be guest at address

WASHINGTON (AP) - A congressman from Illinois has invited a teacher from suburban Chicago to be his guest this week at President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.

A statement from U.S. Rep. Bill Foster's office says Crest Hill teacher Tara Linney will join him for the speech in Washington on Tuesday.

The Naperville Democrat cited Linney's work teaching other educators and students about computer technology and coding. Foster says computer science skills should be "a core part" of children's education.

Linney says she's honored by the invitation.

Obama will deliver the State of the Union speech in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives. Senators will also be present.