Check out Elizabeth Brackett's photos of street scenes in Charlotte as the town gears up for President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention

I thought my hotel was a long way from Charlotte. Sen. Dick Durbin told the Illinois delegation his hotel was 12 miles away from South Carolina. So much for senatorial clout.

The 7:00 am Illinois delegation breakfast came really early in Charlotte this morning.

Elizabeth Brackett joins us from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte with the latest news on the Illinois delegation.

Speaker of the Illinois House Michael Madigan on Democrats achieving goals during the convention.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins us from the Democratic National Convention with the latest news.

What do delegates do before the convention begins at 5:00 pm? Lots! Illinois delegates began the day with breakfast at 7:00 am. At 10:00 am, delegates had the choice of a plethora of Caucus and Council meetings.

Craig Robinson and Valerie Jarrett warmed up the crowd at the overflowing Black Caucus meeting on Wednesday. It wasn't a tough job knowing Michelle Obama was on tap. The excitement was palpable and the room exploded when the First Lady stepped up to the podium. Watch Michelle’s entrance in the following web extra video.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel woke up a pretty sleepy Illinois delegate breakfast meeting Wednesday morning. Emanuel first lavished praise on the speech that had all the delegates talking -- Michelle Obama's convention address.

Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Warren and Nancy Pelosi address the Democratic National Convention. We hear from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Elizabeth Brackett in Charlotte on Chicago Tonight at 10:00 pm. And, Northwestern Law Senior Lecturer Jason DeSanto joins Paris Schutz and Phil Ponce in our studios with analysis.

Rep. Lou Lang talks about party unity among Illinois Democrats and comments on Gov. Pat Quinn's convention speech in our web extra video.

Labor unions sponsored the Illinois delegates 7:00 am breakfast at the Omni Hotel Tuesday morning. Delegates, some looking a little bleary-eyed after Monday night's round of parties, barely had time to grab breakfast before Mike Madigan, with his Democratic Party Chair hat on, called the meeting to order at 7:30 sharp.

Michelle Obama and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel address the Democratic National Convention. Elizabeth Brackett has the latest news from the Illinois delegation in Charlotte. And, Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady joins Northwestern Law Senior Lecturer Jason DeSanto and Phil Ponce in our studios with analysis.

Just two weeks after being booed off stage on Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair, Gov. Pat Quinn’s labor battles are keeping up with him in Charlotte.

Finding a cab at any time in Charlotte is a lot harder than finding a cab at State and Madison at 4:45 pm. Especially when it rains. And rain it did in Charlotte on Monday, the day before the official opening of the Democratic National Convention.

Paris Schutz joins us from Tampa with the Illinois delegation's reaction to Mitt Romney's speech at the Republican National Convention.