Donald Trump’s presidency has Illinois lawmakers weighing an issue not usually given as much attention in the General Assembly: abortion. Since the 1970s, Illinois’ abortion laws have stayed mostly the same. Brigid Leahy, legislative director of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, says legal-abortion advocates are now moving to stem the tide they see coming from Washington.

Republican leaders in Congress have started the process of dismantling the Affordable Care Act. But an advocate in Champaign says she is glad to see they're slowing down the process of repeal and replace. GOP Congressman John Shimkus of Collinsville expects finding that replacement, made up of a "multitude of bills", will take most of 2017.

President Donald Trump has his critics. But he had plenty of supporters among those attending the February meeting of the Champaign County Active Senior Republicans.

The 15th District Republican Congressman from Collinsville admits this is one area where he differs from President Donald Trump. Shimkus says he's always been for open markets and more trade, but cites the president's rejection of the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership, or TPP.  He says those in organized labor, like steelworkers, look forward to better deals, but things are unclear at the moment. "Where there is uncertainty, there is risk," he said.

Illinois legislators are hoping to boost immigrant protections in response to President Donald Trump's executive orders, a move advocates say would essentially give the state "sanctuary" status. One proposal says schools, medical facilities and places of worship could bar access to federal immigration authorities or law enforcement working on their behalf.  A second proposal would limit cooperation between police and immigration authorities.