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At one point, the hearing had to be gaveled to order when Durbin and National Rifle Association CEO Wayne LaPierre accused each other of missing the point on mandatory background checks for gun purchases.
CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli reports new laws could be tough to sell at gun shows, like one held in suburban Rosemont on Friday.
The focus returned to hot button issues like gun control, for which U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have been pushing hard. Some Democrats in Congress have been hoping for compromise on at least part of their agenda.
The mayor said, at the next City Council meeting on Jan. 17, he'll introduce a new gun control ordinance, though he wouldn't provide details.
Greeted by applause from fellow members of Congress and a crowd of onlookers, U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) returned to the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, climbing the 45 steps of the Capitol Building one at a time.
About 300 spirited demonstrators lined up at a makeshift soup kitchen and shanty town set up in Federal Plaza on Thursday, to protest the possibility of cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid as Congress looks to avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff."
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) have sent the White House a list of four finalists to replace former U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald, who stepped down in June, after nearly 11 years as Chicago's top federal prosecutor.
Several members of Illinois's congressional delegation have joined the growing chorus of voices pressuring U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) to speak out about his ongoing medical and legal troubles.
President Barack Obama was on his way back to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, for the first time since his stunning Election Day victory earned him four more years in office.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has gone out on a limb, predicting Democrats will re-take control of the House on Tuesday.
The federal government has agreed to buy the vacant Thomson Correctional Center, in western Illinois along the Iowa border, in a move that has been held up for almost three years.
Wednesday will be a day of historic proportions, as thousands of young people who were brought into the country illegally get the opportunity to apply to live and work in the United States legally.
Fear over Guantanamo inmates coming inland is holding up the sale of the state prison at Thomson.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is urging the railroad industry to help prevent future train derailments that might be caused by extreme heat by conducting more frequent track inspections.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he wishes U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. the best, but the congressman needs to let his constituents know more about what has forced him to take a medical leave for almost a month.
As crews continued cleanup of the train derailment and bridge collapse that killed a Glenview couple, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin was calling for increased federal oversight of railroad bridge inspections.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he believes President Barack Obama is on the right track in efforts to get U.S. troops out of Afghanistan.
A House-Senate conference committee begins meetings next week on Capitol Hill to try to craft a new federal highway and mass transit program. On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin came to Union Station in Chicago to collect ammunition for the Senate package.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) says he has been told there are virtually no minority firms being considered in a massive Metra construction project in the Englewood neighborhood, and he's prepared to shut Metra down.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) will be at the table, when members of the House and Senate try to find agreement on the nation's next transportation bill.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is defending President Barack Obama's remarks on the U.S. Supreme Court and health care.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and an environmental advocacy group are urging people to do something about climate change while they still can.
Road and mass transit construction projects nationwide could begin grinding to a halt next week unless a deadlock over funding is broken in Congress, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) is getting impatient.
With gas prices continuing to rise, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Sunday he wants to pull $4 billion in federal subsidies provided to big oil companies.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Saturday that it was time for Michael Hogan to resign as president of the University of Illinois, but his resignation won't cure the university's problems.
A memorial mass was held Monday morning for the Elmhurst, Illinois native who died in Spain last week.
Chicago-based United Airlines is cutting back some of its flights temporarily due to rising jet fuel costs amid the U.S. war with Iran.
Three people are dead in what appears to be a triple homicide in Crete Township, Illinois, the Will County Sheriff's Department said Monday morning.
Burglars crashed into the renowned Golden Apple Grille and Breakfast House in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood early Monday morning, while the 24-hour restaurant was open.
Rahm Emanuel is proposing a far-reaching measure to crack down on betting in predictive markets in Washington as part of an effort to call attention to what he sees as a culture of corruption gripping the nation's politics.
Rahm Emanuel is proposing a far-reaching measure to crack down on betting in predictive markets in Washington as part of an effort to call attention to what he sees as a culture of corruption gripping the nation's politics.
In a 54 to 37 vote, two Democrats voted with all Republicans in attendance to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination. A final confirmation vote is expected in the coming days.
Robert Mueller served as FBI director from 2001 to 2013 and led the investigation into allegations of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Wait times aren't expected to improve until government funding is restored and TSA officers receive paychecks.
Chicago's public safety plan is in flux after Mayor Brandon Johnson fired his deputy mayor of community safety, Garien Gatewood.
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias this weekend issued a warning about a surge in text messages that falsely claim to come from his office or the DMV within it.
Tenants at a South Loop luxury high-rise that has been plagued with problems like broken elevators are vowing to fight five-day eviction notices.
It's become an annual March Madness tradition at CBS Chicago, pitting our city's best eateries in direct competition in a foodie bracket challenge. We did pizza, we've done Italian beef, we've done Chicago dogs. This year, we're taking flight with wings.
For Cook County residents hoping to lower their property tax bills, applications are open for exemptions.
Officials in the north Chicago suburb of Wilmette issued a warning Tuesday about scammers who are impersonating representatives of village departments.
A new Iowa law bans local nondiscrimination protections on the basis of gender identity after the state became the first in the U.S. to roll back its civil rights code last year.
Food containing norovirus may smell and taste normal but still cause serious illness if consumed, FDA warns.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a $1.5 billion investment from biotherapeutics company CSL for a new plasma therapy manufacturing plant in Kanakee.
When a doctor was told there was no cure for his daughter's condition, he was motivated to transform not only her health, but the lives of thousands of others.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital announced this week that it is planning to open a new pediatric hospital in the west Chicago suburb of Downers Grove.
Hundreds of workers were locked out of the BP refinery in Whiting, Indiana, on Thursday after contract negotiations failed to produce a deal ahead of a midnight deadline.
The artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency industries have suffered a setback as they try to reshape the midterm elections and establish themselves as power players in American politics.
Wednesday marked the last day to help celebrate Lou Malnati's pizzeria's 55th birthday with a special deal.
Despite a rash of restaurant closures, veterans of the plant-based food business pushed back against prophecies of doom — and in one case argued that such closures notwithstanding, plant-based eating is only growing.
Two popular Chicago craft breweries – Half Acre Beer Co. and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery – announced on Tuesday they are merging to create a new "premier Chicago beverage company."
Following a ribbon-cutting attended by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Saturday, people were let inside the new space, at 5035 N. Broadway right off Argyle Street, for a special open house.
Chuck Norris' family said his death at 86 was sudden, but did not share any details on the cause.
ABC has canceled its already filmed season of "The Bachelorette" starring Taylor Frankie Paul after video surfaced of a 2023 incident in which she was charged with assault.
Acclaimed Chicago bar and music venue The Hideout has been sold to a performer and former employee, but the owners said it will carry on as the same beloved place that visitors have always known.
Afroman spoke to CBS News after he won the case, which tested the limits of parody and the license artists can take in social commentary directed at public figures.
The new baking and pastry kitchen at Kendall College opened a few weeks ago. Dean Leigh Uhler and pastry chef instructor Heidi Hedecker joined us this morning.
United Airlines has cut down of its flights temporarily due to rising jet fuel costs amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
There are reports of at least one ICE agent being spotted at Chicago O'Hare International Airport Monday morning amid a partial government shutdown that's causing long TSA wait times at some airports.
Rap J has performed at all kinds of venues, including last year’s Summerfest in Milwaukee. He was born with cerebral palsy, and says music has been an outlet for self-expression and overcoming challenges. Rap J joins Jackie Kostek.
Chicago police on Sunday announced charges against Jose Medina, 25, after Gorman, 18, was shot and killed last week in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Darius Johnson reports.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived at O'Hare International Airport Monday morning, CBS News Chicago confirmed.
Three people are dead in what appears to be a triple homicide in Crete Township, Illinois, the Will County Sheriff's Department said Monday morning.
A defendant was set to appear in court Monday, charged in the murder of Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman last week.
A man is expected to appear in court for a detention on charges in the death of a Chicago firefighter who died fighting a blaze in the city's Rogers Park neighborhood.
A memorial mass was held Monday morning for the Elmhurst, Illinois native who died in Spain last week.
United Steel Workers union representatives said that some workers had already had their access cards deactivated.
Have you ever walked into a business with no employees? You may soon; autonomous businesses are becoming more popular.
Streets were left pooled with rainwater, and homes flooded after Sunday night's storms. Residents say there is one clear solution
Attorneys for the family of a woman killed in a crash during a high-speed police chase in 2017 say officers involved failed to activate their body cameras or turned them off during the pursuit.
A new specialized unit is being created to prosecute domestic violence homicides in Cook County, as these killings surged 15% last year, even as overall violent crime declined across Chicago.
Chicago's win was the team's first of the season after losing 4-0 to Angel City FC last weekend.
Bedard scored his team-leading 29th goal, and Nick Lardis connected as the Blackhawks lost their second straight.
Chanting in celebration, Illinois fans basked in a second-round victory in the tournament over Virginia Commonwealth University.
Illinois will now go on to face Houston on Thursday, March 26, at the Toyota Center.
Nathan MacKinnon had three assists in Colorado's 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, helping the Avalanche become the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot this season.
Burglars crashed into the renowned Golden Apple Grille and Breakfast House in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood early Monday morning, while the 24-hour restaurant was open.
A man is expected to appear in court for a detention on charges in the death of a Chicago firefighter who died fighting a blaze in the city's Rogers Park neighborhood.
A defendant was set to appear in court Monday, charged in the murder of Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman last week.
Chicago police on Sunday continued to question a person of interest in the shooting that killed Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Rogers Park.
Two Illinois State University students were among six people wounded in a mass shooting in downstate Normal, Illinois, early Sunday.
