Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen.-elect Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) have their first meeting Thursday morning to discuss issues where they can work together. Kirk, who will be sworn in on Nov. 29 to fill the unexpired weeks left of President Obama's Illinois senate term, has vowed to stop several Democratic measures Senate leadership--that includes Durbin--want to push in the lame duck session. Though there is an ideological divide between Durbin and Kirk, I think there are a variety of Illinois matters--such as issues dealing with Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes--where they may find agreement.

Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.), who had been serving as an appointee of former, impeached and convicted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, makes his farewell speech from the Senate floor at about 11 a.m. Chicago time on Thursday.