Politics
Pritzker-Led Illinois Delegation Celebrates Spotlight as Democrats Unite Around Harris
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and close confidants began plotting to bring the Democratic National Convention to Chicago all the way back in 2021.
The host committed selected Chicago in April 2023, and finally the convention has begun.
“As you walk the convention floor today and each day of the convention, be proud of who we are as Illinois Democrats,” Pritzker told members of Illinois’ delegation during a Monday morning address, before he made a quick exit to give speeches to other state delegations.
Pritzker told WTTW News he is scheduled to speak to eight DNC delegations during the state’s morning meetings this week.
He said Illinois Democrats should be proud of the state’s record on reproductive rights, worker leave policies and minimum wage increases — the sort of policies Democrats are expected to talk about from the DNC stage, and which Pritzker himself may touch one when he’s scheduled to speak at a huge United Center audience during prime time Tuesday.
But President Joe Biden is the opening day headliner.
Pritzker was among those greeting the president Monday afternoon when Air Force One landed in Chicago.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Biden was continuing to “fine-tune” his remarks during the afternoon, and that Biden was in “good spirits.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Illinois) was a co-chair for Biden’s campaign, and recently met with him.
“I just said ‘Mr. President, I need a few moments to grieve, I just need to cry a little bit. I understand, I love Kamala and I'm going to be there for her. But I just need to grieve for Joe Biden and who you are,’” Duckworth said. “And he said, ‘no this is about getting the work done, Tammy. I’m going to go get off the phone and try and achieve a peace deal in Gaza.’”
Even Biden’s most ardent fans are now fully embracing new nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.
https://twitter.com/JulianaStratton/status/1825340615833395363?ref_src=…
Top Illinois Democrats, including members of Congress, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, met Harris when she flew into Chicago Sunday.
Former Laborers’ International Union of North America president Terry O’Sullivan called Biden one of the best labor presidents in history, but he talked about an exuberance within the party since Biden left the race.
“The winds are changing, the weather has changed and we’re going to elect Kamala Harris and Gov. Walz as the next president and vice president of the United States of America,” O’Sullivan said.
They believe Harris is the party's best chance at beating Republican nominee Donald Trump.
“This sexist, racist, draft-dodging, lying son of a b---- has got to go once and for all,” O’Sullivan said. “We not only have to win, we have to kick his ass all the way back to Mar-A-Lago, put a fork in him and end Donald Trump’s presence in our country, in our world. I get so sick and tired of listening to his horsesh-- on TV because every time he opens his pie hole, all he can do is lie because he doesn’t know how to tell the damn truth.”
Illinois is firmly a blue state, but there are tight contests in November’s election.
Illinois’ first openly gay congressman, Eric Sorensen, is most at risk of losing his seat. He faces a challenge from Republican Judge Joe McGraw.
Sorensen’s also the only meteorologist in Congress.
“So I can proudly say that the forecast for Nov. 5 is good,” Sorensen said.
That’s a widespread feeling among Democrats (even those who aren’t weathermen) but that was also the sentiment of Republicans during their convention in Milwaukee last month.
Contact Amanda Vinicky: @AmandaVinicky | [email protected]
