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Bernie Sanders Opens Chicago Campaign Office As Clinton Holds Fundraisers

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Democrats marching towards the White House left footprints in Chicago Wednesday.

One campaign took the stage while another set the stage for what experts are calling an uphill battle. CBS 2's Jeremy Ross has both their stories.

If the primary is like an athletic contest, the team opposing Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Park Ridge native has home field advantage

"It's exciting again for me to be competing again in Illinois," Clinton said.

Clem Balanoff, the director for Bernie Sanders' campaign in Illinois says they aren't worried about homefield advantage.

"This is Hillary's home state but we're going to show them Illinois is Bernie country," he said.

While Senator Sanders was not there, his representatives say they're the first campaign for president on the ground and making calls in Illinois. They showcased their office on Roosevelt and Jefferson and their confidence they can win.

During a Bronzeville rally, Clinton was introduced by Sandra Bland's mother. Bland died in a Texas jail. She spoke about police reforms and other issues important to African Americans, as did Sanders supporters.

"Talking about inequality, talking about racial justice," said Cook County Commissioner Chuy Garcia, who supports Sanders.

"We're working really hard in the African American community already and we'll be certainly announcing be announcing a number of leaders that I believe will be supporting Bernie," Balanoff said.

Political analyst Paul Green of Roosevelt University tells us -- so called home field advantage means everything in this election. He adds while Sanders has a handful of people who know Illinois and Illinois politics, Clinton has an army.

The election is March 15.

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