Dems energize crowd at Illinois State Fair, strategize for 2026
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gives a keynote address at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch in Springfield on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. The event is the largest annual downstate gathering of Illinois Democrats. Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois
Illinois Democrats had the biggest day on their annual political calendar Wednesday with a huge gathering at the Illinois State Fair. Democrats are doing great in Illinois. They hold the governor’s mansion and all the statewide constitutional offices. They’ve got veto-proof majorities in the Illinois General Assembly, both U.S. Senators are Democrats, and so are 14 of our 17 members of Congress.
However, nationally, the party has been struggling with very little power in the U.S. House and Senate. Brian Mackey visits the fair to hear from party leaders in Illinois and from activists and organizers from around the state about how to do better in 2026 elections.
GUESTS
Michael Thompson
Democratic Party Chair, Hancock County
Gail Thomas
Member, 6th Ward Committee, Chicago
President, Chatham Park Village Cooperative
Holly Woodruff
Democrat in Adams County
Chair of the political action committee for the Illinois Nurses Association
Kristen Barnett
School Board Member, District 186, Springfield
Tavares Briggs
Vice Chair, 6th Ward Committee, Chicago
Gov. J.B. Pritzker
D-Illinois, Running for third term
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton
D-Illinois, Candidate for U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnoorthi
D-Illinois, Candidate for U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly
D-Illinois, Candidate for U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
D-New York , Minority Leader, U.S. House of Representatives
