Mayor Johnson absent from Illinois delegation breakfast, again
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Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton addresses the state delegation at a downtown hotel. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
The Illinois delegation spent Tuesday morning honoring organized labor, but the breakfast event was overshadowed by Mayor Brandon Johnson's absence and an emotional story from Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs.
The big picture: For the second straight day, Johnson opted to attend another state's breakfast instead of the one for Illinois. The morning event serves as a rallying moment for the state party.
Between the lines: Illinois Democrats seem to be split between Gov. JB Pritzker's state party and Johnson's coalition in Chicago.
- Johnson has sparred with Pritzker recently over migrant issues and Chicago public school funding.
Zoom in: Some Chicago alders like Gilbert Villegas (36th) and Walter Burnett (27th) were there, plus city clerk Anna Valencia.
- "In Illinois, Democrats are united for one thing, to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in November," Villegas tells Axios.
Yes, but: It was a far cry from past conventions where mayors gaveled in and powerful alders and Chicago-based state representatives and senators led the meetings.
What they're saying: "Mayor Johnson's top priority is ensuring a safe and vibrant convention while also promoting Chicago as a great place to live, work, visit, and do business," a spokesperson for Johnson's campaign said. "He has addressed several state delegation breakfasts and looks forward to speaking to his Illinois colleagues tomorrow."
Zoom out: Instead of focusing on Chicago, the delegation heard from state lawmakers that could be the future of the party — Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Frerichs, who grabbed the crowd's attention with an powerful speech.
- Frerichs told a story about his family's gut-wrenching experience of needing an abortion because of medical complications, but two downstate hospitals didn't allow them.
- "They knew our child could not survive outside the womb, but they would force her to carry the term for nine months, dealing with the pain of knowing we'd bear a stillborn child, or one that dies soon," Frerichs said.
- "That's cruel. And yet, that's what the Republicans have offered me."
The vibe: Frerichs got a standing ovation for sharing his personal story and the speech showed a different side of the treasurer who has been rumored to be interested in seeking higher office.
What's next: The mayor is expected to speak at Wednesday's breakfast.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include a comment from Johnson's campaign.