Sharon Chung

While the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has escalated fears of political violence, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch has been on high alert since June 14, when Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home.

WCBU spoke to state Rep. Sharon Chung, a Democrat who represents parts of Greater Peoria, about what got done and what didn't this spring.

Democrat Sharon Chung won reelection to a second term in the Illinois General Assembly with a victory over Republican Desi Anderson. Chung, a Democrat from Bloomington, won 53% of the vote, defeating Anderson by about 3,500 votes, according to unofficial totals compiled by WGLT and WCBU.

Sharon Chung, a Democrat who was elected to the newly-drawn district in 2022, is facing Republican Desi Anderson in the November election. The district includes parts of Bloomington-Normal.

Central Illinois Democrats, including State Sen. Dave Koehler and State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, say the convention is an opportunity to build bridges, reach new demographics, and stoke the rank-and-file.

Peoria County Democratic Party chairman Rick Fox said Biden's decision to step aside gives the party a chance to mend divisions and coalesce around a candidate.