Watch CBS News

Clinton, Sanders, Cruz Making Final Pitches For Votes In Illinois

UPDATED: 5:23 p.m. March 14, 2016

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and Republican Ted Cruz hit Chicago on Monday, in a last ditch effort to get more votes.

The presidential candidates are doing last-minute campaigning before the Illinois primary on Tuesday.

Jobs and economic opportunity was the focus when Clinton addressed union workers at the Plumber's Union Hall in the West Loop.

WBBM's Mariam Sobh reports about 300 people gathered in the hall to hear her, with some lining up at about about 6 a.m. hoping to be the first inside for a prime spot.

Once inside and away from the chilly drizzle outside, it was a festive atmosphere.

Podcast

South Loop resident Natalie Bowers brought her kids with her.

"For me, having two four-year-old twins, it's their first political experience, so we're super excited," Bowers said. "They may not get the concept now, but it's a lifetime memory for them."

Rebecca Calsada of Ravenswood was also at the event and says, "Hillary is the most qualified candidate for president we have ever had in my lifetime."

Clinton addressed the crowd for about 20 minutes, touting her policies and asking supporters to keep knocking on doors ahead of the primary. She also took a jab at Republican front runner Donald Trump.

ILLINOIS PRIMARY: Follow Tuesday's Election Results On CBS.Chicago.com

"Being well-prepared to take on not only the wrong-headed statements but the dangerous ones that he has put out that will hurt our country around the world because I was secretary of state," Clinton said. "I know what's at stake for American leadership around the world."

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois US Senator Dick Durbin were in attendance.

After the Plumbers Union Hall event, Clinton headed to the Nabisco factory on the South Side to meet with bakery workers and visited a memorial to victims of violence in Roseland.

Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz brought his campaign to west suburban Glen Ellyn and got a raucous reception, to his delight, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.

The banquet hall for the Cruz rally was packed with crowds even standing around the perimeters and the senator outlined positions on things like jobs, religious liberty and national security.

He told supporters and the curious that he's the only real candidate who can stop Donald Trump.

"What is abundantly clear is none of them have any path whatsoever to beating Donald Trump and becoming the Republican nominee," Cruz said. "So if you were thinking of supporting Rubio or Kasich, let me say to you, we welcome you to our team. We welcome you with open arms."

Podcast

Cruz criticized rival Trump as someone who has supported liberal Democrats in the past and taken so many different political positions no one can know what he stands for.

Cruz also told his supporters, "We will pass a simple flat tax where every American can fill out our taxes on a postcard and when we do that we should abolish the IRS."

CBS 2's Mike Parker reports there was a heckler, a young woman. She interrupted the rally by raising a sign and shouting her support for animal liberation. She was roundly booed and Cruz responded.

"I think animals are wonderful, I also happen to care about human beings," Cruz said.

As a security guard escorted her out, one voice in the crowd yelled, "feel free to taze her."

Cruz believes he can score well in Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina Tuesday.

Clinton's Democratic rival Bernie Sanders made several stops across Illinois Saturday and will be holding a rally with supporters in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre Monday night.

A CBS News poll shows Sanders surging in Illinois, and overtaking Clinton, leading 48 percent to 46 percent. However, according to an Ogden and Fry's latest poll, the former secretary of state has the advantage, 66 percent compared to Sanders' 34 percent.

Former president Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife in Chicago on Sunday, speaking at two black churches. He visited Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Maywood and Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church in the South Shore neighborhood.

"This is an important election. Now, Hillary believes responsibility is more important than blame. She believes we have to go forward together," he said.

In an interview with CBS 2's Jeremy Ross, Sanders explained it's not just Clinton with Illinois ties.

"I went to the University of Chicago for four years. I was involved in the civil rights movement here in the city of Chicago. I was arrested, as a matter of fact; not something that most candidates put on their presidential résumé, but I was arrested fighting against segregation in the Chicago school system," he said.

Sanders believes a large turnout is his key to victory.

CBS News has learned former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will hit the campaign trail on Monday in Ohio with Gov. John Kasich. Analysts say if Kasich loses the Ohio primary, he will end his run for the White House. CBS News' battleground tracker shows Kasich tied with Donald Trump in Ohio.

Tuesday's primary in Florida could be make-or-break for Sen. Marco Rubio. Many pundits expect Rubio to call it quits if he doesn't make a strong showing in his home state.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.