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The congressional standoff that has shut down the Federal Aviation Administration continues, with no end in sight until September if the Senate doesn't act this week.Lawmakers risk losing more than $1 billion in revenue from ticket taxes that the airline collects.

Americans might view a government shutdown due to budget disagreements as a universal problem, but in a recent article for Foreign Policy magazine entitled "Why Don’t Other Countries Have Government Shutdowns?",  Joshua Keating says that it's a uniquely American democrat

Both U.S. senators from Illinois said they support a spending deal reached late Friday night to avoid a government shutdown. If finalized, this agreement would wrap up weeks of uncertainty for federal employees, including those who work in the Chicago area.

There's still no deal to avoid a federal government shutdown. That's led to amped-up talking points between Democratic and Republican members of Congress, including those from Illinois.Democratic U.S. Sen.

The IRS suspends the approval of paper tax returns. National Parks and museums will closed. A flood of financial problems for already struggling states. All this, and more, could become reality if lawmakers on Capitol Hill can’t strike a deal before the day’s end.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Illinois, said Friday he expects Congress to reach an agreement over the federal budget before the end of the day. Legislative leaders have until midnight tonight to pass a budget or else they face a government shutdown.

Members of Illinois' congressional delegation may have to decide which of their staff are "essential," and which they can do without.