Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to the Democratic National Convention at the United Center. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]

Gov. JB Pritzker introduced himself to a national audience Tuesday night with a scathing speech attacking former President Donald Trump as a wealthy man who is only rich in “stupidity.”

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event with CNN and Politico at the DNC on Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Gov. JB Pritzker opened up about his interest in higher office on Tuesday in a wide-ranging interview with Politico at a Democratic National Convention (DNC) event. Pritzker also shared a behind the scenes experience with former President Donald Trump. 

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks to reporters at the Illinois delegation breakfast in Chicago on Tuesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]  

Abortion remains the defining issue of the 2024 election, according to Illinois Democrats, who say they’ve set the agenda with new protections on reproductive rights.

Former President Barack Obama was welcomed back to Chicago on Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). And Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) said a bill to allow legislative staff to unionize needs unspecified changes.

House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) speaks to reporters at the Illinois Democrats breakfast in Chicago on Monday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Illinois Democrats gathered Monday morning for their first customary pre-convention breakfast to celebrate what they hope will be a new and historic chapter of a Kamala Harris presidency.  

But as they prepare to celebrate the vice president for a week, Democrats are also hoping Gov. JB Pritzker runs for a third term as governor as he remains undecided about his political future.  

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) speaks at a news conference with Illinois lawmakers in Chicago on Monday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Illinois Democrats have pushed through an array of gun control bills in recent years headlined by the 2023 assault weapons ban approved in response to the 2022 Highland Park shooting. Legislative Democrats are hoping their work can serve as an example for Democrats around the country to pass new measures on guns.  

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks ahead of President Joe Biden at an event in Chicago in June 2023. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Chicago will play host to a presidential nomination for the 26th time this week and add to the city’s rich political history, which has included influential convention moments that nominated Abraham Lincoln, produced some of America’s fiercest political fights and the dark cloud of riots in 1968 the city has never forgotten.  

In addition to the new American history set to be written at the United Center this week, Illinois Democrats are also hoping to share a blueprint for passing Democratic policies as Gov. JB Pritzker takes on one of the most important political roles of his career as host governor and keynote speaker.  

President Joe Biden speaks in the Oval Office on Friday. [CSPAN/X] 

The site of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot is now a national monument under an order signed by President Joe Biden on Friday.  

Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi speaks at Republican Day at the Illinois State Fair. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

Republicans cannot be complacent about being the minority party in deep blue Illinois and must turn out to vote this November, state party leaders implored voters at the annual Republican Day gathering at the Illinois State Fair on Thursday. 

Illinois Democrats take a picture at the State Fair on Wednesday. [Ben Szalinski/The Daily Line]   

All the focus was on next week’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago at Governor’s Day at the State Fair in Springfield, which is traditionally the largest campaign event for the political parties each year.  

With Chicago once again at the center of political history next week, Wednesday’s message from Illinois Democrats focused on promoting Vice President Kamala Harris’ and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s candidacy.