Of course, Donald Trump was a frequent target of Democrats speaking at the Illinois Delegation Breakfast Thursday. But many, including Senator Dick Durbin, saved their harshest remarks for Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance. Durbin has been colleagues with Senator Vance since 2022. He accused Vance of holding up nominations including the Northern District of Illinois US Attorney. Morris Pasqual has served as the district’s acting U.S. attorney since Lausch stepped down in March 2023.

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza responded to Vance’s comments about the Democratic National Convention being held in Chicago. Vance compared Chicago to a “third-world country” because of the all the perceived crime in the city. In a media availability session after the breakfast, Mendoza called Vance, “Trump’s little minion who is just throwing stuff out there, trying to tarnish the greatest, most beautiful city in America.”

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, downstate Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias also spoke at the breakfast.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear took to the stage as well. He spoke at the United Center during Monday night’s programming.