Ill. Dem Bustos to take higher profile role after re-election to Congress

Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is returning to Washington.

Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is returning to Washington.

The Democrat is coming off a re-election and represents a highly Republican region.

Bustos will enter her third term representing the 17th congressional district, which includes northern, western and central Illinois.

And she now has a higher profile in the Democratic Party.

Earlier this month, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi tapped Bustos to co-chair the Policy and Communications Committee of the House Democratic Caucus.

That means Bustos is primed to shape outreach and communications efforts for a party that suffered a number of critical losses in last month's election. One of her tasks will be countering the Republican agenda.

Republicans will soon hold the White House, as well as majorities in the House and Senate.

Congresswoman Bustos has been critical of President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet appointments.

She says many of his choices have been picked to be in charge of departments that they seem to be in conflict with.

Bustos also says it's not too early for Democrats to focus on the next election cycle in 2018.

Bustos is also considering a run for governor. The Illinois native says too many people across the state are being neglected by current governor Bruce Rauner. She would join a growing pool of Democrats who are said to be exploring a run, including billionaire J.B. Pritzker, Chris Kennedy, Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar.