Looking back: Top Illinois political moments throughout 2024

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — 2024 has been an extremely busy year for politics on the national and state level.

State lawmakers work on passing plans to help Illinoisans throughout most of the spring and fall, but they always spend time boosting their political parties during the Illinois State Fair.

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.

Democrats celebrated their work to protect abortion rights, support unions, and invest in education. They also shared a message of unity to get Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz into the White House.

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

Hundreds of Republicans gathered for the annual GOP day picnic inspired to take on the state's Democratic supermajority. State GOP leaders rarely mentioned former president Donald Trump while he served in office, but the party has shifted further to the right and many believe that ignited the GOP base.

"We got lazy. We believed the lie that our voice and our vote does not matter," said House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). "But, it matters. Does it matter? Yes. Does our voice matter? Yes. Does our vote matter? Yes."

Months later, the 2024 election was over. Pritzker and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton said they accepted Donald Trump as president election. However, the top Democrats stressed they would protect Illinois at all costs.

"To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom, and opportunity, and dignity of Illinoisans, I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior," Pritzker said. "You come for my people, you come through me."

Many GOP leaders were upset with Pritzker's comments and urged him to focus on statewide issues instead of attacking the incoming president. Deputy House Minority Leader Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) said Democrats and Republicans should think about how they can work together to improve the state and building upon economic growth for the country.

"Remember, this is the same governor who came to the House floor, pointed at Republicans and called them all carnival barkers and doom grifters," Spain said. "Now, here he is offering some sort of gubernatorial macho man moment saying that Donald Trump needs to come through him in order to deliver help to the people of the state of Illinois. Governor, let me be clear. That's the wrong message."

Democrats initially said they would try to pass bills during veto session to protect vulnerable Illinoisans from the Trump administration. Yet, those plans were left off the table until lawmakers return to Springfield in early January.