Among the “Never Trumpers” who spoke was former Illinois Republican congressman and longtime Trump critic Joe Walsh, who called on attendees to vote for any Democratic candidate who can keep the former president from a second term in office.

“We will adhere to the Republican platform, we are a party of the people and freedom,” Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said, declining to say whether she personally supports a national abortion ban. 

It’s Day 3 of the Republican National Convention. We’re live from Milwaukee, where Trump’s vice president pick, J.D. Vance, is set to take the stage — that and more on what to expect.

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Illinois) said excessive regulations are hurting agriculture, blaming the so-called “communist environmental movement, the ‘Green Bad Deal’ that Donald Trump has called out as a sham issue. And I want to tell you as a farmer, we love CO2 – and trees and plants love it too. They have demonized the miracle molecule that causes things to grow.”

“Well, I'll tell you your blue funk is over,” newly elected chair of the Illinois Republican Party Kathy Salvi said. “We're going to make Illinois red again.”

WTTW News examined some of the claims made during the second day of the RNC, looked at criminal justice research and spoke to an expert about how research supports — or doesn’t — the campaign rhetoric.

Before the Republican National Convention draws to a close in Milwaukee, Chicago police officials are in town to learn more about the safety and security measures in place ahead of next month’s Democratic National Convention.

Pitchfork Music Festival returns Friday for its annual three-day weekend. Since 2006, the homegrown fest has built a brand as Chicago’s eclectic summer sampler of alternative rock, pop, hip-hop and stimulating sound.

From brats to cheese, downtown Milwaukee businesses are hoping for a boost from the Republican National Convention. So far, business has been on the slow side. 

The National Weather Service has so far confirmed 11 tornadoes on Monday, and 17 total between Sunday and Monday.

“No one, absolutely no one, wanted this outcome and I anticipate a full as well as thorough investigation,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said early Wednesday morning. 

We’re live in Milwaukee, where Day 2 of the RNC is wrapping up. Public safety and immigration took center stage — as did many of former President Donald Trump’s primary rivals.

WTTW News reporters are spread out across Milwaukee covering the 2024 Republican National Convention and Illinois’ delegation. Check back throughout the day for continuous updates.

“The Republican party isn’t a scary place for Black folks,” said Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin to a gathering under the auspices of the Black Republican Mayor’s Association, an organization he founded and chairs.

According to Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman, police officers from Columbus, Ohio, fatally shot the man around 1:10 p.m. Tuesday near King Park.