CHICAGO (WLS) -- The shutdown could have an impact on the 2026 elections.

After 43 days, federal employees are slowly returning to work. But the finger-pointing continues with Democrats and Republicans blaming one another for the pain it caused over the last six weeks.

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The government shutdown is likely to be a major talking point for both sides as they head into the midterm elections next year.

Gov. JB Pritzker seems to think it will significantly help Democrats, but Republicans disagree.

Museums like the Smithsonian are reopening to visitors and SNAP benefits are also being restored.

"Now we're back to 100%. So we're working as fast as we can to make sure that people have their SNAP cards charged and ready to go," Pritzker s

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