California businesswoman Carly Fiorina has surged in the polls ahead of the June 8 Republican Senate primary and is likely to face Sen. Barbara Boxer (D) in what could be one of the most competitive Senate races in the nation's most populous state.

THE SENATE yesterday approved a resolution urging the House of Representatives to ratify a bill that will allow full disclosure of state information and ensure transparency in the government except those related to state security.

SPRINGFIELD The Illinois Senate finished its week by sending another few pieces of the budget package to Gov. Pat Quinn, while leaving a major hole.

Sameer Bhalotra, a former Senate intelligence committee cybersecurity staffer, will become a top advisor to cybersecurity coordinator Howard Schmidt, likely focusing on strategy.

On a weekend dedicated to honoring military service, Illinois Senate candidate Mark Kirk has acknowledged he claimed he was named the U.S. Navy's intelligence officer of the year, an award he never won.