Overview
- At a Jan. 31 meeting in Puerto Rico, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee advanced all 12 applicants, including Illinois, to the next phase.
- Illinois will make an in-person pitch this spring as the party selects four to five early contests with regional balance across East, Midwest, South, and West.
- Competing states include Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
- Illinois Democrats argue the state’s demographic breadth and unified party control prove it can run a rigorous and efficient early primary.
- The costly Chicago media market poses a fairness concern for lesser-funded candidates, and an early slot could benefit Gov. JB Pritzker if he runs, while Chicago’s separate convention bid has prompted questions about federal security support.