Chicago shines on first night of DNC
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Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at the Democratic National Convention. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
The Illinois delegation trickled in at the start of speeches and programming during the first night of the Democratic National Convention, missing a chunk of the early speakers, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The big picture: Johnson welcomed Democrats after performances from a local color guard, a children's choir and an opening prayer from Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich.
Zoom in: The Chicago mayor whipped the crowd into an early frenzy, praising Vice President Kamala Harris and evoking the spirit of former President Barack Obama.
What they're saying: "Together, we will build a better, brighter future. And there is no better place to start that than right here in the greatest freaking city in the world," Johnson said in his convention speech.
The intrigue: Johnson, who was absent from the Illinois delegation breakfast Monday morning, is facing criticism for saying the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is "genocidal."
Zoom out: By the time other Illinois politicians Rep. Lauren Underwood and Sen. Dick Durbin took the stage, more delegates were seated.
- Underwood, a registered nurse, used her speech to attack former President Donald Trump on health care. Durbin used his time to hit Trump on manufacturing and labor.
Reality check: Illinois Democrats spent most of the day preaching to delegates and volunteers about how little time is left in the election season, advocating for a sprint to the finish.
What they're saying: "It reminds me of 2008, but on steroids," U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley tells Axios.
- "When the week is over, you're not only going to see a bump, but you're going to continue to see a spread of this dynamism."
What's next: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker will step up to the podium on Tuesday, speaking before Michelle and Barack Obama.