Chicago Democrats are throwing their support for Hillary Clinton in a big way, even though she hasn't said whether she'll run for president in 2016.
Two fundraisers were held in Chicago Thursday night for the expected front runner.
The grassroots Ready For Hillary PAC fundraiser was held on the second floor of John Barleycorn in the River North neighborhood and attracted the likes of Sen. Dick Durbin, U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky, Robin Kelly, Bill Foster, Danny Davis and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
"I hope that we'll all be proud to elect the first woman from Illinois president of the United States," Preckwinkle told the crowd.
Clinton, a former senator who served as Secretary of State during President Barack Obama's first term, has the experience but Republicans have dogged her with questions about Benghazi.
"Do they really think they're going to scare Hillary out of the race?" said Durbin. "I listen to these Republican congressman -- Benghazi, Benghazi, Benghazi, I mean that was a terrible thing, we lost four Americans. She appeared before the committee and answered all their questions."
The ticket price for the Barleycorn event was only $20.16, but a smaller crowd paid $1,000 a ticket to attend a fundraiser at Phil Stefani's 437 Rush Restaurant.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel was listed as a host for the events, but didn't appear because it was his 20th wedding anniversary.
Clinton will be in Chicago next week to promote her new book. Bill Clinton will be in Chicago later this month for a fundraiser benefiting Emanuel.
