Politics
Illinois Delegates Kick Off RNC by Celebrating Trump’s Survival, Pledging Unity
Susan Sweeney, an Illinois delegate of the 9th Congressional District, (left) and Robin Hans, alternate Illinois delegate, wearing Abraham Lincoln-inspired top hats while picking up their credentials at the Illinois Delegates Breakfast on Monday, July 15, 2024. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
Illinois Republicans gathered Monday to kick off the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee by celebrating former President Donald Trump’s survival after an apparent assassination attempt and pledging to unite the badly fractured party.
“God spared our great leader Donald J. Trump,” said U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R-Springfield), kicking off the breakfast. “The darker it gets the brighter we can shine.”
The starkly divided party, which will have new leadership by the time the convention ends on Friday, sought to paper over those divisions by focusing on the apparent attempted assassination of Trump and focusing their ire on President Joe Biden.
“If you want to bring down the temperature in this country, you have to elect Republicans,” said state Sen. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport).
Trump will increase border security, fight inflation and restrict trans people from using public bathrooms that align with their gender identification, Chesney said.
“Welcome to the beginning of the end of the Biden presidency,” National Committeeman Richard Porter said to loud cheers.
Attorney Kathy Salvi will take over as chair of the Illinois Republican Party on Friday, replacing Don Tracy, who resigned amid intractable infighting between moderates and the more conservative members.
U.S Rep. Mike Bost used his speech Monday morning to acknowledge that he is on track to win another term in Congress after beating former state Sen. Darren Bailey in a tough primary.
But with November’s general election in sight, Bost pledged to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Bailey, who rose to his feet and pumped his fist in acknowledgment.
Bost broke the news to the delegation that U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon has dismissed the classified document case against Trump, earning a round of applause.
State Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) fiercely defended Trump, and urged the party to be united against Democrats.
“He is not a racist,” Cabello said, to loud applause. “Are you willing to put your differences aside?”
Cabello led a brief chant of “Trump, Trump, Trump,” before the delegates returned to their breakfast buffet and headed out to the first day of the convention, where the theme will be “Make America Wealthy Once Again” and feature the announcement of Trump’s pick for vice president, as well as his first appearance after surviving the shooting.
WTTW News' Amanda Vinicky and Nick Blumberg contributed to this report.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
