Nov 13th, 2008 · President-elect Barack Obama has announced he is resigning his Senate seat, effective Sunday. Obama was the Illinois junior senator for four years. It is now up to the state's Democratic governor to fill the seat.
Nov 8th, 2008 · As his colleagues move to the White House, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago, Ill., could be called on to fill the Senate seat Obama leaves behind. The son of Rev. Jesse Jackson considers Obama's victory and his own political future.
Nov 6th, 2008 · Just two days after his election victory, President-elect Barack Obama appointed Rahm Emanuel to be his White House chief of staff. The Illinois congressman is known as a fiery, ferocious, take-no-prisoners Democrat. And is a sharp contrast to the inclusive, even-tempered, seldom-ruffled Obama.
Nov 5th, 2008 · Bandleader Illinois Jacquet was recognized as the king of the tenor saxophone. During his long career, Jacquet played with everyone from Basie to Lionel Hampton and gained notoriety for his wild, honking solo in "Flying Home," which heralded a new approach to playing known as the "Texas tenor style."
Nov 5th, 2008 · Barack Obama, a black first-term Democratic senator from Illinois, ushered in a new era last night with an unprecedented and emotional win of the U.S. presidency. San Diego Tribune syndicated columnist Ruben Navarrette and Black America Web correspondent Michael Cottman react to Obama's win and discuss what it means for the future of the nation.
Nov 3rd, 2008 · Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's maternal grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, has died after a battle with cancer. The Illinois senator has called his 86-year-old grandmother one of the "cornerstones" of his life.
Oct 6th, 2008 · On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the much anticipated $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan. But in order for the bill to go through, several members of the House who had earlier in the week voted NO had to vote YES. Host Michel Martin is joined by Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois and Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland. They talk about why they changed their vote and if they feel they sacrificed too much in the process.
Oct 6th, 2008 · Facing a lawsuit over deceptive mortgage practices, a Bank of America subsidiary will modify tens of thousands of loans to help keep people in 11 states from losing their homes. Borrowers stuck with Countrywide Financial mortgages that they can't afford could see their interest rates reduced or have the loan principal cut. Bank of America purchased Countrywide in June, at the same time Illinois and California sued Countrywide.