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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk Now In Majority Party

Wikipedia

Yesterday was the first day of the new congress, and that means Illinois’ Senator Mark Kirk is now in the majority party. Republicans now control both chambers of congress. 

But when laying out his legislative priorities for the year, Kirk strayed from typical conservative talking points. He says his top two goals are banning sewage dumping in the Great Lakes.

"I wanna make sure that we’re protecting the water supply for 8 million Americans with the reverence and protection that it should be getting."

And getting 12 million dollars to explore year round schooling in the inner city....

"...to make sure that we have more to do for kids in the summer time so they don’t join huge gangs we have in Chicago."

Kirk says he is dedicated to bipartisanship--something Republicans will need if they want to get legislation past President Barack Obama’s veto pen. Kirk says his goal is to be one of the most popular guys in the Senate.