A video screen at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association brunch shows a clip of news of an indictment against former President Donald Trump. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

The presidential candidates hang out at the Iowa State Fair, leaving Illinois politicians to bask in their own spotlight during the Illinois State Fair’s political days. But as former President Donald Trump campaigns in Iowa, he was still the talk of the Illinois State Fair’s political days as Democrats rally support against him and many Illinois Republicans wished to ignore him. 

Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy speaks at Republican Day at the State Fair on Thursday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Illinois Republicans have a hefty challenge for 2024 as they need to flip multiple General Assembly seats to undo the Democrats’ super majority.  

It’s a tall order for the state’s minority party after getting blasted up and down the ballot in 2022. For the next election cycle, Illinois Republicans face challenges from the party’s historical opposition to abortion, a lack of resources and funding, turnout typically benefits Democrats in presidential election years, and the potential name at the top of the ticket, indicted former President Donald Trump.  

 

Gov. JB Pritzker and other Illinois Democrats hold a rally at the State Fair’s Governor’s Day. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Illinois Democrats kicked off the 2024 campaign season Wednesday with the party’s annual County Chair’s Brunch and Governor’s Day at the State Fair. 

While it was an off year for campaigns and there are no statewide races on the ballot next year, Democrats set the groundwork for their campaign message celebrating legislative accomplishments and issuing new warnings about Republican candidates on next year’s ballot.  

Gov. JB Pritzker issued an amendatory veto of a bill giving downstate power companies, chiefly Ameren, first rights to new power lines. And U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) discussed if he will run for reelection in 2026. 

Sen. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) is sworn in to her Senate seat on Tuesday at Plummers Union Local 130 in Chicago on Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Lakesia Collins is the new state senator for the 5th Senate District after she was selected by a committee of Chicago Democrats on Tuesday.    

The Cook County Democratic Party Committee meets at IBEW Local 134 on Monday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Cook County Democrats are set to back incumbent Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham during Tuesday’s county party slating vote despite an aggressive push from Latinos in the party to get a Latino slated for the March primary.  

Gov. JB Pritzker explained what he’s looking for in legislation lifting the state’s ban on nuclear reactor construction. And U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.) discussed her priorities for Illinois agriculture in federal farm bill negotiations.  

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) speaks at a news conference during the spring session. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line] 

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a rare veto on Friday in a decision to entirely veto a bipartisan bill that would have ended the state’s decades-long moratorium on new nuclear reactor construction.  

Illinois Supreme Court   

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled 4-3 against Rep. Dan Caulkins’ (R-Decatur) challenge to the state’s assault weapons ban, deciding his argument that the assault weapons ban was “special legislation” was not in violation of the Illinois Constitution. 

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event TCCI Manufacturing in Decatur on Aug. 2. [Gov. JB Pritzker/Facebook]   

Since returning from pitching businesses on the benefits of establishing operations in Illinois during a trip to the United Kingdom, Gov. JB Pritzker has been touring the state highlighting Illinois’ electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities and businesses that have tapped into tax incentives.