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.

State Representative Carol Ammons of Urbana came to the Democratic National Convention this week to support Senator Bernie Sanders. But the Democrat says she was not among those in the 'Bernie or Bust' group that would not support Hillary Clinton. She told Illinois Public Radio's Amanda Vinicky Wednesday that Clinton will 'really surprise everyone', and supports what Sanders says is the 'best course forward.'

In this election year, members of Congress each side of the political aisle had a different take on President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, and what it could mean for his legacy.  Area lawmakers praised some plans, including a pledge for criminal justice reform, but Republicans say he's taking the wrong approach to battling ISIS.