Illinois Democrats tout their candidates for this fall's election at the Illinois State Fair |First Listen

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Michelle Eccles

Published August 20, 2026 at 8:17 AM CDT

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Governor JB Pritzker attack Republicans at Governor's Day at the Illinois State Fair
Governor Pritzker spared no punches at the Democrat rally at the Illinois State Fair
House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch was absent from the Illinois State Fair on Governor's Day
Retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin receives a sendoff during the fair celebrations
Former Illinois lawmaker Jim Oberweis loses a bid for a congressional seat in Florida

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Michelle Eccles

Michelle Eccles anchors NPR Illinois' Morning Edition. Michelle has more than 30 years of experience in broadcasting which all began at her high school radio station, Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois. She attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale for her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a focus in Radio Television and went on to become an award winning anchor and reporter for stations in Decatur and Springfield.

See stories by Michelle Eccles