While acknowledging the anniversary of our country's independence, Congress and the White House are at odds over the debt ceiling and budget deficit reduction deal. At the Fourth of July celebration in Deerfield Monday, some local politicians voiced their opinions on the issue.
Most Republicans say tax hikes should not be a part of any agreement.
"If you want to talk about raising taxes right now, it depends on what they are. Raising taxes at this point in time would be devastating for the economy because you're talking about small businesses that are really the economic engine, and to put an additional tax burden on them may be the wrong approach,"said including U.S. Rep. Robert Dold, R-Northern suburbs.
The federal debt ceiling is at the legal limit of the amount of money that the government can borrow. Democrats want tax increases to raise the $14.3 trillion federal debt ceiling.
"It is just amazing to me that they are willing to bring down the whole U.S.,b and perhaps world economy, because they want to continue to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires, and corporate jets and gas and oil companies. This is a serious matter," said U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Chicago and northern suburbs.
Politics aside, some people like Dennis Cremin just want to enjoy Fourth of July.
"I think that the government is working hard to move forward since the events of 2008, and I think we just need to continue to push forward and then try to get out of this mess," Cremin said.
Congress goes back to work this week, and they have until August 2 to make a decision about whether or not to raise the federal debt ceiling.
In other suburbs, people celebrated the birth of our nation with parades and other outdoor activities.
There was a big turnout at a Fourth of July parade in far north suburban Lake Bluff Monday. This year's parade theme was "Embrace Freedom."
Young and old lined the streets to watch the red, white, and blue themed festivities. Parade-goers got an up-close look at some classic cars. The sound of bagpipes also got the crowd going.
In the Village of Oak Lawn, thousands of people lined 95th Street for the 6th annual Fourth of July parade and celebration.
The parade featured marching bands, floats and an assortment of patriotic sights and sounds. Even the Chicago Bulls mascot Benny was flying the stars and stripes.
In Barrington, the theme of this year's Fourth of July parade was "Traditions and Memories." The founding members of Barrington's VFW were the grand marshals this year.
The parade honored members of the military -- past and present -- and was an opportunity for neighbors to celebrate Independence Day together.
Plenty of Fourth of July parade-goers also filled the streets of north suburban Skokie Monday.
Marching bands got the crowd going, and several patriotic people came dressed as Uncle Sam. The parade also featured horses and even a camel.
