Illinois Democrats Tout Party Dominance at State Fair but It’s Clouded by Harassment Scandal and Fraud Case
Party leaders urged turnout and attacked Republicans as more than 2,000 Democrats gathered for the State Fair breakfast.
- On Wednesday, Illinois Democrats gathered in Springfield for the State Fair, launching their November campaign by framing the upcoming election as a fight against President Donald Trump and his policies.
- Gov. JB Pritzker reinforced Democratic dominance last week by contributing $65 million to his reelection campaign, supporting Democrats across a state where the party holds all statewide offices and supermajorities in the legislature.
- Retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin received a final tribute at the annual brunch, while keynote speaker Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren urged attendees to fight corruption and lower costs as the election approaches.
- Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch was notably absent from festivities amid ongoing criticism over his handling of sexual harassment allegations against former state Rep. Harry Benton, which has drawn internal party scrutiny.
- Chicago mayoral hopefuls Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza also addressed attendees, highlighting the party's balance between local political ambitions and maintaining its legislative supermajorities.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Capitol Fa - Your Illinois News Radar » Governor’s Day coverage roundupCapitolFax.com
* Sun-Times… Ethics concerns in the Illinois House took a back seat to bashing President Donald Trump Wednesday for Democrats at the Illinois State Fair, where the supermajority party launched its sprint to November’s general election with familiar critiques of Republicans — and without embattled Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in attendance. Welch sat out Governor’s Day festivities [...]
Chicago Sun Times
Welch skips Illinois State Fair, where Democrats focus on Trump instead of harassment scandal
SPRINGFIELD — Ethics concerns in the Illinois House took a back seat to bashing President Donald Trump Wednesday for Democrats at the Illinois State Fair, where the supermajority party launched its sprint to November’s general election with familiar critiques of Republicans — and without embattled Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch in attendance.Welch sat out Governor’s Day festivities in the capital after Springfield’s latest sexual harassment scand…
Chicago Tribune
Illinois Democrats tout party dominance at State Fair but it’s clouded by harassment scandal and fraud case
At the Illinois State Fair, Democrats' dominance fell against the backdrop of House scandals that have sullied their brand, including Speaker Welch's handing of sexual harassment complaints against a lawmaker and an indictment against a veteran downstate Democrat.
Democrats rally at Illinois State Fair ahead of midterms, decrying costs and corruption
Democratic leaders used Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair to rally supporters ahead of November's election, urging voters to stay engaged and not take the party's dominance in Illinois for granted.
At Illinois State Fair, Democrats focus on Trump over GOP rivals
At State Fair, Illinois Democrats Focused on Trump as They Seek Third Sweep of Statewide Races
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">At State Fair, Illinois Democrats Focused on Trump as They Seek Third Sweep of Statewide Races </span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Ben Szalinski …</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2026-08-19T17:27:12-05:00" title="Wednesday, August …
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