* Minnesota’s First Lady Gwen Walz was a surprise speaker this morning…
Day one of the @DemConvention. State delegations begin their days together with breakfast meetings. Illinois’ is crowded. Try to play “who’s who” and in this photo you’ll spy members of Congress, statewide officials, labor leader, members of the Chicago City Council … @wttwpic.twitter.com/YcjTU9fI2b
Gwen Walz stops by the Illinois breakfast: "I wear a lot of different shoes. I wear my mom shoes. I’m a sister. I'm a friend. I’m a retired military spouse. Right now I’m the First Lady of Minnesota, which is a pretty good gig. And for so much of my life, I’ve been an educator." pic.twitter.com/gpEJqvuRaX
Gov. JB Pritzker kicking off the Illinois delegation breakfast: "In just 78 days we will get to say the two words that we’ve ben waiting 248 years to say: Madam President." Pritzker is speaking at eight other breakfasts this week. pic.twitter.com/c124niaF8I
“Bobby Rush believed he was somebody – a former Black Panther, alderman, congressman…Danny K Davis believed he was somebody…I’m just a kid from the Woods – Maywood and Bellwood. I believed I was somebody and I stand before you today as state’s Black speaker,”@ChrisWelch_JD says
Sen @TammyDuckworth “ “We need to make sure that all the coconuts get out there and vote. So let's fire it up. Get to work…and let's light that rocket fuel,” she says of enthusiasm about Kamala Harris’ candidacy. Also notes that she’s introduced federal FOID card legislation. pic.twitter.com/9NluJGG3ZD
Christy George, Exec Dir of DNC Host Cmte (most recently an advisor in @GovPritzker’s office on budget&economy) “Let's take pride in what we have accomplished here in IL, and let's commit to all of the work that still needs to be done. You all in this room are changing the state” pic.twitter.com/e849fF27lO
.@iftaft president Dan Montgomery warns of plans for education outlined in Project 2025, including dissolving the federal Dept of Education and “ending Title I, the most important educational program in the history of this country. It's ending funding for special education.”
Chicago historian @6figga_dilla at the podium now. Mentions that candidates nominated in Chicago have “like an 85% chance” of winning. He’ll be leading delegates on tours of the city. pic.twitter.com/hyv6WQ0X08
.@HACIAworks exec director Jackie Gomez tears up when recounting a drive to school earlier this year when her young daughter told her “mommy, women can’t be president.” Says it broke her heart. “I want them to grow up in a country where they believe in their potential”
The weather is perfect. The city is beautiful. I am downtown and people on the sidewalks all seem in a good mood. No transportation issues. My train was on time. PLEASE keep this up all week and let the world see what a great city this is, and not the crime-ridden hell-hole some paint it as.
- DEE - Monday, Aug 19, 24 @ 12:49 pm:
The weather is perfect. The city is beautiful. I am downtown and people on the sidewalks all seem in a good mood. No transportation issues. My train was on time. PLEASE keep this up all week and let the world see what a great city this is, and not the crime-ridden hell-hole some paint it as.