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>>> Having trouble viewing this newsletter? View as a webpage. Top Stories Thursday, January 6, 2011 Weather-related accidents shut down interstates | VIDEO Weather conditions were causing numerous accidents on Chicago-area interstates 55, 57 and 80 Thursday. Obama choosing Bill Daley as chief of staff | VIDEO President Obama is turning to Chicago again for his new chief of staff. Lura Lynn Ryan said to be in 'very grave' condition | VIDEO Former Governor George Ryan and his attorneys are in a race against time to try and get him released from prison so he can visit his dying wife. Illinois income taxes could go up | VIDEO An increase in state income taxes could be imminent Thursday if lawmakers in Springfield agree on a hike. Man charged after police-involved shooting A man shot by a Chicago police officer was due to appear in court Thursday facing several charges. FAA: O'Hare saw most traffic growth in 2010 O'Hare International Airport is getting busier and may be on track to reclaim the title of world's busiest. MORE STORIES Strange News Homeless man's voice prompts job offers Hundreds more birds found dead in western Ky. Chicago flight diverted due to spilled coffee Madison burglar gives tequila back Fla. suspect's wife sees photo on TV, calls police Consumer Southwest Airlines to revamp loyalty program GM's Buick to get luxury compact for first time How to avoid diet stumbling blocks GM to expand OnStar outside of its own models Uno electric scooter to be unveiled at trade show Healthbeat Report: Study linking vaccines to autism was fraud | VIDEO Blue Cross reverses mental health preapprovals iPhone app predicts IVF success odds Report: It may be possible to cure baldness New tobacco regulations aim to protect consumers MOST POPULAR Plainfield teacher accused of sex with student Lura Lynn Ryan said to be in 'very grave' condition 1 hurt in LSD crash into bus stop 4 second-place Mega Millions tickets sold in Ill. Judge apologizes to man left in holding cell All Most Popular Advertisement TODAY'S WEATHER OUTLOOK 26°F 7°F Mostly cloudy and cold; breezy this afternoon Hour-by-Hour | 7 Day Forecast | Radar & Satellite TONIGHT ON ABC 7:00 PM Wipeout 8:00 PM Grey's Anatomy 9:01 PM Private Practice 10:00 PM ABC 7 News 10:35 PM Nightline Lottery Results Your Daily Horoscope Shedd offers free general admission week One of the Midwest's top cultural attractions is kicking off the new year with a week of free general admission. Free things to do around Chicago this winter Beatles tribute band American English to perform Beatle-mania phenomena began in the early 1960s, and it hasn't seemed to stop since. SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS I'd like to receive the following newsletters from abc7chicago.com Sign up for news alerts Daily Weather | Daily News | 190 North SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS Sign up for news alerts

The consequences of repeal of the Health Care Reform

Fred -- Our progress is under attack. Their majority is not even a day old, but House Republicans are already getting ready to pass a bill to repeal health reform. Instead of focusing on the future, they want to put insurance companies back in charge of our health care. To go back to the days when these companies could deny coverage to children based on pre-existing conditions, cancel coverage when people would get sick, or limit the care you could receive -- even when you needed more. When seniors would be forced to choose between paying their mortgage and paying for their prescription drugs, simply because they landed in the "donut hole" in coverage. They want to turn our progress into a partisan fight. But you and I know that the Affordable Care Act and other reforms to protect consumers did not pass because of a partisan or ideological agenda. They passed because millions of Americans stood up and said we were ready for commonsense solutions after years of fraud and abuse, for a new era of responsibility after unchecked power. They passed because, after 100 years of debate and negotiation, we said we would wait no longer for health reform. These reforms passed because of you. Now, we must prepare to stand up for them again. Organizing for America is pulling together a team of organizers and volunteers to defend reform -- and we need you on this team. Together, we'll show how our progress is already improving lives across the country -- and take on those who are pushing for repeal. Join the fight to protect our progress and keep Congress focused on the future. It's clear that's not where House Republicans are looking -- they're putting the car in reverse and heading straight toward the ditch that we just spent two years climbing out of. As the President said this week, we are still emerging from a recession that took a toll on millions of families, many of whom are still trying to get their lives back on track. The Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform were important steps forward on the road to recovery, and we can't afford to play political games with them now. We have an obligation to ensure our progress is not rewritten by the insurance industry and big banks. This year, we'll need to stand by the President as he works to grow our economy, make the United States more competitive, and keep moving the country forward -- but we're also going to have to work hard to defend what we have already achieved. Join the campaign to protect our progress: http://my.barackobama.com/ProtectOurProgress Thanks, Mitch Mitch Stewart Director Organizing for America Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Politics, Political News - POLITICO.com

Politics, Political News - POLITICO.com

WATCH LIVE: 112th congressional swearing-in ceremony

The era of Speaker Boehner begins

By JONATHAN ALLEN | 01/05/11 10:24 AM

• Boehner's day: Subdued, simple

  By JAKE SHERMAN & RICHARD E. COHEN | 1/5/11 10:12 AM

  A morning prayer service will be followed by Ohio-themed food and his first speech as speaker.

• Gibbs says he's leaving to work on Obama campaign

  By GLENN THRUSH & CAROL E. LEE | 1/5/11 12:02 PM
  

• Anti-Pelosi vote looms

  By JOHN BRESNAHAN & JONATHAN ALLEN | 1/5/11 11:07 AM

  A handful of Democrats may oppose her for speaker in a symbolic roll call.

• GOP freshmen step onto the tightrope

  By MARIN COGAN | 1/5/11 11:13 AM

  Congressional newcomers may be forced to pick among their political patrons this year.

• New lawmakers are stars, briefly

  By MARIN COGAN & SHIRA TOEPLITZ | 1/5/11 4:42 AM

  For many freshmen, the swearing-in ceremony is a high-water mark for their rookie year.

• Playbook: Happy 112th Congress

  By MIKE ALLEN | 1/5/11 7:38 AM

  Boehner: "This is the people's House."

  • Morning Score: Drawing the map
  • Morning Money: Business wants Daley
  • Morning Tech: Congress is back
  • POLITICO Pulse: End-of-life reversal
  • Morning Defense: Cuts 'on the table'
  • Morning Energy: Forced to the back burner?
  • The Huddle: Dems blast rules package

• Pence to keynote exclusive S.C. event

  By KASIE HUNT | 1/5/11 6:20 AM
  

• Obama inquests: The GOP's target list

  By SIMMI AUJLA | 1/5/11 6:23 AM

  The hearings are a tradition in divided government.

  • The investigators

• Pelosi gives up 'Speaker' on Twitter

  By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 1/5/11 9:43 AM

  Her Twitter handle is now @NancyPelosi.

  • Speaker, Madame or just Ms.?

• GOP hunts 'job-killing' rules

  By DARREN GOODE & JAKE SHERMAN | 1/5/11 7:40 AM

  Darrell Issa looks for harmful industry regulations.

  • Issa to business: Tell me what to fix

• Seismic change for California?

  By RICHARD E. COHEN | 1/5/11 8:38 AM

  A redistricting panel could remake largest House delegation in the United States.

• GOP's Denham-and-diamonds gala

  By JAKE SHERMAN | 1/5/11 8:53 AM
  

• The House's online, open transition

  By REP. GREG WALDEN | 1/5/11 9:22 AM

  Opinion: An important part of the GOP's pledge is a promise to make Congress more accountable.

• Court vacancies here to stay?

  By ABBY PHILLIP | 1/5/11 9:30 AM

  Almost 20 judicial nominees are likely to remain in limbo for the foreseeable future.

• Judge says Rahm can run

  By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 1/5/11 9:44 AM

  The court affirms that the former top Obama aide is eligible to be on Chicago's mayoral ballot.

• Daley in running for top W.H. job

  By GLENN THRUSH & CAROL E. LEE | 1/5/11 6:15 AM

  He could be in the Cabinet once again.

  • Rahm can't commit to Daley

• Baldwin 'interested' in political run

  By PATRICK GAVIN | 1/5/11 6:31 AM
  

• Balancing the state checkbook

  By JOHN MAGGS | 1/5/11 9:56 AM

  Pensions likely to present particular challenge.

  • Illinois faces budget woes

• Priority: Pass long-term budget plan

  By KENT CONRAD | 1/5/11 4:44 AM

  Opinion: The United States is at a defining moment - we can, and we must, act this year.

• Bipartisanship can revive economy

  By REP. DAVID DREIER | 1/5/11 7:05 AM

  Opinion: A strong trade agenda presents a unique opportunity to promote economic growth.