SPRINGFIELD (ILLINOIS CAPITOL BUREAU) -- The Democratic National Convention is now underway in a historic virtual setting. Illinois Democrats are holding special events before the major speeches each night. Delegates focused on lifting up American workers Monday.
Speakers highlighted major issues impacting the United States Postal Service and other frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Democrats say labor rights cannot be improved without addressing access to healthcare and economic justice.
Meanwhile, Senator Dick Durbin said it's clear the President is playing political games with one of the country's most important services.
"America's message to Donald Trump is very simple: Keep your hands out of our mailboxes," Durbin said Monday afternoon. "We believe the postal service does a great job. They need our support, they don't need to be sabotaged in the name of political victory for Donald Trump."
Durbin also said Democrats need to come together with organized labor groups to win the November election.
Leaders from the Illinois AFL-CIO and SEIU Healthcare joined the elected officials for their keynote event Monday night. They noted many minority workers across the country are still struggling to get by months into the pandemic.
"We're in dire straights, we're needing help," said IL AFL-CIO Vice President Roushaunda Williams. "We're needing this administration and this party to pool together and bail our laborers who cannot find work, who will not find jobs that were sufficient to pay our bills."
Williams says no one should lose their healthcare or homes during the pandemic. The Democrats also argue every worker is essential, and they should be paid for their continued efforts.
Speakers appearing on the DNC virtual stage Monday night include Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Ohio governor and Republican presidential candidate John Kasich, and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
