Congress returns to grapple with Iran war, DHS shutdown, expulsion votes
Lawmakers are returning to Washington to face major developments in the war with Iran, a lingering DHS shutdown and possible expulsion votes for some of their own members.
Watch CBS News
Lawmakers are returning to Washington to face major developments in the war with Iran, a lingering DHS shutdown and possible expulsion votes for some of their own members.
Illinois Democrats on Capitol Hill decried President Trump's threats against Iran as his deadline for the country to reopen the Strait of Hormuz draws closer, calling on their Republican colleagues to join them in stopping the escalation.
Illinois' political deck is getting shuffled in ways never seen before in 2026, with three members of Congress stepping down after each has served nearly 30 years on Capitol Hill.
Friday is the deadline for Congress to strike a deal to keep the U.S. Department of Homeland Security funded, and .S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois) is calling for ICE to be "dismantled."
President Trump has signed legislation that could change treatments and outcomes for pediatric cancer patients, and a 7-year-old boy from Illinois helped make it happen.
A Chicago woman shot by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent back in the fall testified on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, telling Congress she was targeted simply because she's Latino.
Chicago Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) announced Wednesday he is running as an independent candidate for U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's seat in Congress.
Retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky has formally endorsed Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss to succeed her in Congress.
While even some of President Trump's strongest critics are glad Nicolás Maduro is out of power in Venezuela, they are deeply concerned that Congress was left out of the mix before his capture.
The House sent to the Senate a bill that would force the release of the Epstein files, the final procedural move before President Trump's signature.
Members of the House from Illinois voted along party lines on the government funding package to end the shutdown.
His chief of staff filed to run for his seat in Congress the same day, which was the last day to officially enter the race.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Thursday she will not seek reelection and will retire from Congress at the end of her term.
Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez is considering a run for Congress to fill the seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.
Illinois Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia is facing backlash over his last-minute decision not to run for another term in 2026, a move that helped open an obvious path for his chief of staff to replace him.
U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia will not seek reelection for his seat in Congress in 2026, a source told CBS News Chicago.
The shutdown raises questions about what it would mean for lawmakers themselves — and their paychecks.
Much of the federal government shut down after Congress failed to reach a deal to approve new funding. Here's what that means.
A Republican measure to keep the government funded past Oct. 1 stalled in the Senate after clearing the House on Friday.
The House Oversight Committee intends to release the documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, a spokesperson said.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin joined Texas Democrats to warn that the redistricting fight in the Lone Star State is the first sign of a threat to the whole country.
Northwestern University president Michael Schill is back in the nation's capital Tuesday to testify about antisemitism on campus.
It's the end of an era in the Chicago area and in Washington, D.C., as Democratic Congressman Danny Davis announced Thursday he's not running for another term in 2026, after serving nearly 30 years in Congress.
Congressman Danny Davis (D-Ill.), who represents downtown Chicago, parts of the South and West sides, and many western suburbs, will not be running for re-election in 2026.
Davis is now serving his 15th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
From temporary shelter to a place to call home; that's the goal of a LaGrange-based nonprofit, which received $15 million in funding to continue creating a path forward for those experiencing homelessness.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
President Trump spoke with CBS News Friday in a new telephone interview.
The House OK'd a short-term renewal of a controversial surveillance program used by U.S. spy agencies, after Republicans revolted and refused President Trump's push for a longer extension.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
But underground construction work on a presidential bunker underneath the ballroom can continue, the judge said.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Skyrocketing property taxes continue to be a hot-button issue in Cook County — particularly since last fall, when many residents saw their tax bills increase by 100% or more.
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.
It has been several weeks since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, Illinois, abruptly shut down — and then on Wednesday, it just as swiftly partially reopened, with some services available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Allergy season is here, and the dreaded pollen can trigger sneezing, congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Northwestern Medicine and the American Red Cross teamed up for a community blood drive in Chicago on Monday morning.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A new restaurant has joined the busy stretch of Halsted Street toward the south end of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood that is also home to Alinea and Boka.
The federal government is suing Illinois, Connecticut and Arizona over efforts to regulate prediction market operators such as Kalshi and Polymarket.
The owners of the popular Uncommon Ground restaurant, live music venue, and brewery in Chicago's Wrigleyville community announced this week that they're looking for a successor to take over the business.
Chicago consistently ranks in the top three cities in Fortune 500 company headquarters, and now a competition has been launched to build on Chicago's power in business.
Blues icon and world music pioneer Taj Mahal will be headlining the Chicago Blues Festival this June.
The United States has long struggled with understanding and finding ways to help treat mental illness. A new documentary, which is screening Saturday in Chicago, examines the reality of living with mental illness in America.
Afrika Bambaataa, a rapper and producer, was best known for breakthrough tracks like 1982's "Planet Rock" and for founding the Universal Zulu Nation art collective.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni," the local premiere of the 2022 opera "Omar," and a fresh production of "Guys and Dolls" are among the highlights of the 2026-2027 season for Chicago's Lyric Opera.
Federal magistrate Renee Harris Toliver told Pooh Sheisty that the evidence against him is strong.
The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have agreed to use May Day for a "day of civic action" for students and teachers.
A tornado watch has been expanded to the entire Chicago area as severe storms barrel east into the Chicago area. A tornado and funnel clouds were reported in Lena and Machesney Park, Illinois.
A flight from San Francisco to Boston was diverted to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago early Friday after the crew noticed an unusual odor on board.
A reported tornado in Lena Illinois, west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage. Police are warning people to stay away.
Two rounds of severe storms are expected in the Chicago area Friday night. Lows will dip into the 40s after.
The entire Chicago area is under a tornado watch as severe storms barrel east. A tornado and funnel clouds were reported in Lena and Machesney Park, Illinois.
A reported tornado in Lena, Illinois, about 47 miles west of Rockford, has caused extensive storm damage, including possibly to schools that had students inside at the time.
Former Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, who served 40 years in the General Assembly, died Thursday at 85.
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released video Friday of the deadly shooting that killed Chicago Police Officer Krystal Rivera in 2025.
Philz Coffee will once again sport the Pride flag at its cafés after a directive to have them and other flags removed created a backlash.
A specially designed playground in the West Pullman neighborhood is making a difference, addressing flooding and the impact of climate change across Chicago.
A tree planting initiative has kicked off in Chatham, among the Chicago neighborhoods most plagued by flooding, to help with the persistent problem.
Chicago residents, businesses, and city employees altogether owe the city more than $8.1 billion in overdue debt, some of it dating back to the 1990s, according to a report from the city's inspector general.
Some parents in southwest suburban Oswego are fired up, saying the school district invited all non-white students to participate in summer remedial programming, regardless of how they're doing in school.
New proposed Illinois legislation would allow renters or people who can't install massive rooftop panels to also harness the power of the sun.
Moisés Ballesteros, Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ homered, and the Chicago Cubs handed the Mets their ninth straight loss, pounding New York 12-4.
The University of Notre Dame and Villanova will kick off both their men's and women's 2026-2027 basketball seasons with an international game in Rome.
Junior Caminero homered and the Tampa Rays scored twice on bases-loaded walks in the ninth inning, rallying for a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The Blackhawks won four of their last 15 games and three of their last 11 home games, but finished with 72 points, 11 more than last season.
Nico Hoerner drove in a career-high five runs, Shota Imanaga struck out 11 in six strong innings and the Chicago Cubs routed the Philadelphia Phillies 11-2 on Wednesday night.
Three people were killed and one other was wounded in a shooting on Friday afternoon in the West Garfield Park neighborhood.
A well-known café and newsstand in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood was damaged early Thursday morning when a stolen car that police were pursuing crashed into it.
Gregory Morgan Jr. of Temple Hills, Maryland, was charged Thursday morning with two counts of second-degree assault in the Feb. 5 incident.
Members of the Cook County State's Attorney's office visited CTA train stations across Chicago on Thursday.
Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax shot and killed his wife and then turned the gun on himself what police described as a murder-suicide in their home in Annandale, Virginia, police said Thursday.