President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have left the White House and entered his armored limousine for the short drive to the Capitol. Billionaire Elon Musk was also seen walking out of the White House a few seconds before Trump to join the presidential motorcade to the Capitol.
As President Donald Trump prepared to address a joint session of Congress for the first time in his second term, many Illinois Democrats invited guests intended to signal their opposition to the president's policies.
The speech takes the place of the annual State of the Union address, though it does not take that name because the president is still in the first year of his new term.
At these annual speeches to Congress, the president typically invites guests who sit in the balcony above the House floor with the first lady. Sometimes there are personal connections, and other times the guests have an association with an issue the president intends to highlight in his remarks.
Democrats, meanwhile -- including a number in Illinois -- invited guests who highlighted what they characterized as harm caused by the Trump administration. Guests included fired federal workers and people affected by federal funding cuts Trump ordered.
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Here's a look at who some members of Illinois' congressional delegation brought to the speech.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Sokol, practicing oncologist and medical researcher at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Why she was chosen: Sokol, who specializes in treating children with neuroblastoma, is conducting federally supported clinical trials that Durbin said are endangered by the Trump Administration's cuts to funding and resources at the National Institutes of Health.
What Durbin said: "President Trump and Elon Musk are carrying out an unprecedented and devastating campaign to cut research funding for cancers, ALS, Alzheimer's, dementia, and infectious disease," he said in a statement released ahead of Tuesday's speech.
"NIH funding is why people are beating cancer, why babies are being spared from preventable illnesses, why HIV is no longer a death sentence, and why progress is being made on neurodegenerative diseases. There are millions of Americans impacted by these diseases, and any move to slash medical research funding will have long-term consequences for the health of our country.
"These haphazard decisions by President Trump have real, serious repercussions. Dr. Sokol, a pediatric oncologist and researcher at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, has dedicated more than a decade to the research and treatment of children suffering from neuroblastoma. Today, her research, which helps kids lead healthier lives after surviving cancer, is in jeopardy because of Donald Trump."
Guest's perspective: "It's an honor to be here representing pediatric researchers from Illinois," Sokol said in a statement ahead of the speech. " As a physician-scientist at the bedside at one of our nation's premier children's research hospitals, I have witnessed firsthand how federally funded research -- including the essential indirect costs that support it -- has allowed for remarkable breakthroughs that help children faced with devastating diagnoses including childhood cancer.
"It is critically important to have congressional leaders such as Sen. Durbin working hard to protect NIH funding including indirect costs, which are vital for sustaining the scientific and clinical research infrastructure. These costs help researchers translate basic discoveries into new treatments and cures for children, who have their whole lives ahead of them."
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
Guest: Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, executive director of the Illinois Head Start Association
Why she was chosen: Duckworth's office said Morrison-Frichtl was invited as the senator continues to oppose a federal funding freeze causing "needless chaos, confusion and financial pain" for Head Start programs and the families who rely on them.
What Duckworth said: "Despite running on the promise that he would lower costs for middle-class Americans, Donald Trump's illegal funding freeze is hurting the same families he swore he'd protect by jeopardizing the Head Start programs so many rely on," she said in a statement on Monday. "Leaders like Lauri Morrison-Frichtl are on the frontlines of Trump's needless chaos -- which is continuing to cause irreversible damage and jeopardize Illinois Head Start's ability to serve thousands of children and families.
"I'm proud to have Lauri Morrison-Frichtl as my guest to the Joint Address to remind middle-class Americans and this Administration just how critical Head Start services are -- not only for working parents trying to make ends meet, but also for the next generation of students. We cannot let Trump and Republicans tear down this lifeline for families in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires -- full stop."
Guest perspective: "I am deeply honored to be invited as Senator Duckworth's guest for the Joint Address to Congress," said Morrison-Frichtl, also ahead of the speech.
"As the Executive Director of the Illinois Head Start Association, I've seen firsthand the transformative power of Head Start in creating safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive and in empowering parents to pursue meaningful employment across the great state of Illinois.
"However, recent disruptions and uncertainties around federal funding have created significant anxiety and stress among our parents, staff, and communities across Illinois. We are committed to navigating these challenges and ensuring that the bureaucratic hurdles do not undermine the trust that families, staff, and children place in our programs. The work we do is critical. I am honored to work with Senator Duckworth and other elected officials to support our children and families and champion the rights they need and deserve."
U.S. Mike Bost, D-Murphysboro
Guest: Judy Repking of Effingham County, a board member of Effingham Area Right to Life and chair of the Bishop's Pro-Life Committee
Why she was chosen: Bost's office said Repking and her husband, Paul, have been dedicated advocates for pro-life causes in Effingham County for over two decades.
What Bost said: "I was happy to invite Judy Repking to sit in the House gallery for President Trump's Joint Address to Congress because you won't find a stronger defender of unborn babies in Southeastern Illinois," Bost said ahead of the speech. "Judy and Paul have worked hard to educate, inspire, and mobilize others in the fight for life. That's precisely the type of selfless leadership I wanted to highlight on this very special occasion."
U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield
Guest: Lisa Quandt, special education teacher in Belleville
Why she was chosen: Tuesday aligns with the American Federation of Teachers "Protect Our Kids" campaign, which opposes funding cuts proposed for the U.S. Department of Education.
What Budzinski said: "In recent weeks, President Trump has unleashed a wave of attacks on the Department of Education," the congresswoman said in a statement ahead of the speech. "His call to dismantle the department altogether threatens the existence of programs that support low-income students and those with disabilities. The necessity and impact of these programs are not up for debate.
"As the proud aunt of a nephew with Down syndrome, I know just how important special education is to make sure all kids have the opportunity to thrive. That's why I'm honored to have Lisa Quandt as my guest for President Trump's Joint Address. As a dedicated special education teacher, Lisa is a true hero in our community, working tirelessly to help Belleville students learn and grow. I hope that her attendance reminds the President of the real people who are suffering because of his actions."
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Chicago
Guest: Dr. Lisa Green, provider and CEO, Family Christian Health Center
Why she was chosen: Describing Green as "a doctor at a federally funded health center and an advocate for Black maternal health," Kelly's office said Green "understands the importance of affordable public healthcare."
What Kelly said: "Since Day One, President Trump has attacked public health -- from unqualified cabinet nominees to Elon Musk's staff cuts across health agencies to executive orders erasing CDC data related to health equity," she said in a statement before the speech. "House Republicans followed his lead and passed a budget proposal to cut Medicaid and reward the wealthy few with a tax break.
"Doctors like Lisa see the powerful impact of accessible and affordable healthcare every day -- and they know the deadly consequences when patients cannot receive treatment. Trump would see our country's health suffer while giving more money to his billionaire friends like Elon Musk. Lisa and I will not stand for it."
U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline
Guest: James Diaz of Monmouth, a disabled veteran who was laid off last month from his job as a fuel compliance officer at the IRS field office in Galesburg
Why he was chosen: Sorensen's office said Diaz lost his job "as a result of actions taken by the Trump administration and Elon Musk," and the congressman wanted to highlight the effect of policy decisions.
What Sorensen said: "James' story is one that needs to be heard. He dedicated his life to serving our country, first in uniform and then in public service," Sorensen said in a statement last week. "It is unacceptable that those who sacrificed so much are being treated this way. I'm bringing James to the State of the Union to highlight the real impact of these dangerous and harmful budget cuts on hardworking Americans and veterans who deserve our respect and support."
Guest perspective: "I've given my life to this country, and to be laid off without warning or respect is disheartening. I want to bring attention to how military veterans are being treated, especially when it comes to the way terminations are handled," Diaz said. "My notice of termination cited performance, and I know my performance was documented as excellent, yet we were treated like garbage. I understand the need to trim the fat, but you can't treat people this way."
The Associated Press contributed.
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