Illinois Democrats weigh the future
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Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at the Illinois delegation breakfast on Monday morning. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
Illinois Democrats convened Monday morning at a downtown hotel to strategize on the 2024 election and beyond.
The big picture: The sudden energy for the 2024 presidential ticket has some Illinois Democrats salivating at not just holding their supermajority in the Statehouse, but building on it.
What they're saying: "I feel great about the 78," Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch told reporters at the breakfast, referring to the Democrats' supermajority.
- "I think we can elect even more Democrats in 2024."
The intrigue: This year's convention has a much different look and feel for the Illinois Democrats since former House Speaker Michael Madigan is no longer presiding over the delegate breakfasts and mainstay Ald. Ed Burke has been convicted of corruption and was not in attendance.
- Also, Gov. JB Pritzker has seen a huge boost in his national persona, leading to speculation he could be headed to a cabinet position if Vice President Kamala Harris wins in November.
- "I think it would be great if he'd run again," Sen. Tammy Duckworth said at the breakfast. "We've had six balanced budgets and nine credit upgrades under this government."
Reality check: It's not just Pritzker. Duckworth could also be a candidate for a job in a Harris administration, and Sen. Dick Durbin is up for re-election in 2026, with all signs pointing to his retirement.
- Those positions would all be filled by Democrats, who have a supermajority in the Statehouse and hold all state elected positions.
- Democrats including Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias would be in line for promotions.
What they're saying: "This is the way it is supposed to be," former Illinois Senate President John Cullerton tells Axios."There are many experienced legislators. It's time for younger people to take over."
Yes, but: Illinois Democrats were in this position before. In 2008, then-Sen. Barack Obama won the presidency, leaving his seat vacant.
- The rock stars of the 2008 Illinois delegation included Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
- All of them are out of office. Blagojevich and Jackson went to prison.
The bottom line: This week, state Democrats are unified to help elect Harris in November. If that happens, 2025 and beyond could look very different for Illinois' majority party.