THE ILLINOIZE: Previewing Dems Chair vote...Weaver takes over Peoria County GOP

July 29, 2022

Good morning, subscribers.

Tons to get to this morning and I don’t have any clever thoughts for you. Just a thank you for your support and asking you to keep spreading the word to help us grow.

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Let’s get to it.

AHEAD OF DEM DAY

With a little more than 24 hours to go before Illinois Democrats hold a contentious vote for Democratic Party Chair, both sides are digging in while some on the outside aren’t digging it at all.

Governor JB Pritzker, House Speaker Chris Welch, and others have endorsed Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero), a close ally of both men, to replace Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), as Democratic Party of Illinois Chair.

Pritzker opposed Kelly for the job after Michael Madigan’s resignation last year and she was pushed for the job by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. Both Pritzker and Durbin have been working to wrestle control of the party away from the other for some time.

Kelly recently told NBC News she didn’t understand the reason for Pritzker’s objection to her position.

“I can’t explain why he is doing this,” Kelly said. “You have to ask him.”