In recent years, Illinois Democrats broke from the tradition of making the Illinois State Fair a key public gathering place. The annual Democratic rally remains on the same day Democrats are honored at the fair but the cheers and hoopla have moved to a Springfield hotel. There's added excitement for Dems this year as former Vice President Joe Biden will make his return to Springfield Thursday. The man who extended the invite to the Democratic County Chairs event was his former Senate colleague, ,Illinois' Dick Durbin....

 

 

 

While some Biden backers would like to see him run for the White House in 2020, Durbin weighed in....

 

 

 

Demand for tickets to the Biden appearance at Springfield's Crowne Plaza Hotel has led party officials to book additional space.