Illinois Democrats celebrate accomplishments, rally for Harris-Walz campaign

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — More than 1,000 Democrats filled the Bank of Springfield Center Wednesday morning for a brunch with their favorite elected leaders. That party moved to the Illinois State Fairgrounds for their annual Governor's Day picnic and rally at the director's lawn.

Gov. Day — Gov. JB Pritzker posed for a photo with a Democratic supporter during the Governor's Day picnic and rally at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 14, 2024.

Illinois Democrats celebrated their work to support unions, protect abortion rights and invest in education. However, Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz (D-Minnesota) were the major focus of this year's event.

"The importance of this election goes far beyond anything that we have ever seen," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "Everything is at stake. Workers' rights, women's rights, disability rights, the right to marry who we love, the right to have our voices heard, our very democracy - everything is up for grabs."

While the Republican party has become more divided over the past year, Democrats are sharing a message of unity in support of Harris.

Gov. JB Pritzker was a dedicated advocate for President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the race, but the Democrat said he is fired up to help Harris and Walz get to the White House.

"Ignore the Republican obsession with cat ladies, and couches and crowd sizes," Pritzker said to a roaring crowd. "Working families want better wages and lower costs and more jobs. That's what Democrats are running on, and that's what Democrats deliver."

Sen. Tammy Duckworth told supporters she is frustrated that Republicans are criticizing Walz for never serving the United States in a warzone, even though he served 24 years with the Minnesota National Guard.

"Tim Walz is the guy who served two decades in uniform to protect and defend us," Duckworth said. "JD Vance is the guy who thinks a five time draft dodger should be Commander in Chief."

Meanwhile, Sen. Dick Durbin said the United States would not be where it is today without the leadership of Joe Biden. Durbin stressed that the country owes a debt of gratitude to Biden for making the selfless decision to end his re-election campaign after a historic term in the Oval Office.

"Joe Biden, after more than 30 or 40 years of public service, said I'll step aside in the best interest of this country being led by a sane, responsible, visionary individual - Kamala Harris," Durbin said.

Durbin said he knows Harris is more than qualified to lead the country after serving alongside her on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democrats also stressed that they can't wait to welcome supporters from across the country to Chicago when the Democratic National Convention kicks off next week.

While Illinois Democrats had their chance to celebrate Wednesday, hundreds of Republicans will fill the fairgrounds for the GOP picnic and rally Thursday.