Southland Freshman Hutchinson Casts Gutsy Vote Hutchinson, who was appointed in January to U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson's old seat, began her term with Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial. She ended it with a vote on a half-baked state budget that made her a little sick to her stomach.
Obama Urges Effort on Health Care In his weekly radio and Internet address on Saturday morning, Mr. Obama said that he wants to see health care reform that is built around lowering costs, improving quality and coverage and protecting consumer choice.
Sotomayor Meets with Durbin WASHINGTON--Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor met with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Tuesday and told him despite her crack about being a wise "Latina," she assured him the law would be followed.
New Bill Targets Texting as Distraction on Road State Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi, D-Joliet, who is a member of the Senate's transportation committee, said he expects the effort to restrict driver distractions to continue in the Legislature.