Paris Schutz describes the atmosphere at the Republican National Convention, and shares the inside scoop on the Illinois delegation.

It's Mitt Romney's night at the Republican National Convention. What kind of bump will the convention give his campaign? Rev. Jesse Jackson joins Phil Ponce and Jason DeSanto in our studios to discuss Romney's speech. And, we hear from Paris Schutz in Tampa with the latest news from the Illinois delegation.

Call it ground zero for the resistance. It’s a small office space in the first floor of a nondescript building -- one block from the security perimeter of the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Inside, reporters were packed to the gills as Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin and others from the Democratic National Committee held court.

The atmosphere in the hotel Thursday morning was different. A lot of smiling; a lot of buzz among the delegates for tonight’s big show; although there were a lot of red eyes, too. That's because sleep has been at a premium.

Paris Schutz joins us from the Republican National Convention with the latest news.

Congressman Aaron Schock joins us from Tampa with the latest news from the Republican National Convention.

Paul Ryan addresses the Republican National Convention. We take a look at his speech with Northwestern Law Senior Lecturer Jason DeSanto, Elizabeth Brackett and Phil Ponce on Chicago Tonight at 10:00 pm. And, we hear from Congressman Aaron Schock and Paris Schutz from Tampa.

Relations between House Speaker John Boehner and former speaker Nancy Pelosi have never been warm. Speaking to the Illinois delegation this morning, Boehner indicated that the battle was back on.

If you tune to local convention coverage featuring dispatches from your favorite television political reporters (and your humble servant as well), you may notice something tonight: bloodshot eyes. You see, sleep was a bit hard to come by last night. Is it because we were out late into the night perusing the various after-hours fundraisers? Not exactly. Is it because we decided to jump off the grid, head to the famous Ybor City district and enjoy the fruits of Tampa's nightlife? Ahh, no.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Ann Romney address the Republican National Convention. We get reaction from Tampa to that, and to Gov. Pat Quinn's veto of the gambling bill on Chicago Tonight at 10:00 pm. We hear from Paris Schutz and Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford. And in our studios, we are joined by Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, Northwestern Law Senior Lecturer Jason DeSanto and Phil Ponce, for the latest analysis. Related Links:

Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford joins us from Tampa with the latest news from the Republican National Convention.

Paris Schutz joins us from the Republican National Convention with the latest news.

Still recovering from his January stroke, Sen. Mark Kirk sent a video message to the Illinois delegation at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

As Republicans finished their official events this morning, word spread that Gov. Pat Quinn had vetoed the gambling bill outright. Some of the Republican lawmakers we spoke with this morning had supported the bill, others had opposed, but all seemed united in criticizing the way the governor handled the veto.

Members of the Illinois delegation wandered through the lobby of the Sheraton Sand Key Resort in steamy Tampa today, and were treated to a magnificent ice sculpture of the capitol - the site of many meltdowns.

What is the historic role of a political convention? We look at how conventions have evolved and if they still matter today.