Impending November elections and the GOP’s “War on Women” were common themes, as Schakowsky and several Democratic speakers pushed for increased voter turnout.
“We are meeting today at a critical turning point in our country’s history, where all that we have worked for as progressives and women … is at risk,” Schakowsky said. “You, me, and millions of other women are the key to restoring the promise of America.”
Energy was high as Schakowsky took the stage to a standing ovation (“Sit down, everyone! We’ve got work to do.”). The congresswoman urged progressive activism before turning the microphone over to Gov. Pat Quinn and charismatic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
“This election is it,” Klobuchar said between cracking jokes and sharing White House anecdotes. “We cannot go back to being a country that simply churns money on Wall Street. That didn’t work too well for us, right? We have to be a country that makes stuff again, that invents and exports to the world.”
More than 1,500 people attended the event. Special guests included state Sen. Heather Steans; state Reps. Kelly Cassidy, Sara Feigenholtz and Robyn Gabel; congressional hopeful Tammy Duckworth; and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Equal pay crusader Lilly Ledbetter was slated to speak, but a last-minute family emergency prevented her attendance.