SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Democratic National Convention leaders did not allow a Palestinian American to speak on stage this week. Although, uncommitted delegates held a sit-in protest outside the United Center spanning nearly 24 hours to encourage Vice President Kamala Harris and DNC organizers to let them speak about a ceasefire in the Middle East.

Illinois Democratic Party Chair Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) told reporters Thursday morning that she had no role in setup for speeches and argued Palestinian Americans deserve to be heard the same as everyone else.

"I can speak for myself. We're hearing them loud and clear," Hernandez said. "That is very important for the party to be doing. Make sure that anyone who is concerned or wants to voice gets heard. That's the way I see it."

The uncommitted delegates hope to meet with Harris or members of the Harris-Walz campaign team by September 15 to talk about a ceasefire.

While Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) had threatened to send thousands of migrants to Chicago during the DNC, no asylum seeker buses arrived this week. Still, many Black Chicagoans are concerned that migrants continue to receive free housing and healthcare while Illinois residents struggle.

Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago) said this country has frequently seen an influx of migration throughout history, but he argued the federal government needs to step up to help states provide services.

"I think the city of Chicago has to continue to refine their plan and I think the state government program has to support these cities," Evans said. "People are coming. You know they are coming. Unless we're gonna have a policy of mass deportation, which we're not doing, I think everyone here should be focusing on one thing - immigration reform. We have to have a better way of taking folks from outside our country and trickling them into the United States or not."

Evans said there is a lot of confusion within the city because Chicagoans haven't seen an immigration reform plan passed by Congress.

The DNC also allowed Democrats from across the country to learn more about what Illinois Democrats have accomplished. Many lawmakers said they were excited to see Gov. JB Pritzker have the opportunity to speak during primetime programming. 

Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield) said he was able to participate in the convention as a delegate and lawmaker, sharing ideas from people in his district.

"In my district, some of the biggest issues include reducing gun violence, protecting healthcare and reproductive rights," Morgan said. "When we talk about the state of Illinois and the issues that we deal with, no matter where you are, economic issues are really front of mind."

Morgan said that is a key reason he sponsored legislation to ban junk fees in Illinois. He said other states and the White House are now considering laws to ban add-ons and surcharges to help consumers.

Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.