Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle sat next to former President Bill Clinton during the first night of the Democratic National Convention Monday.
Preckwinkle was asked to sit with Clinton in his skybox shortly after arriving at the DNC Monday. The two watched First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech together Monday night.
“I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to sit with President Clinton,” Preckwinkle told Ward Room Tuesday. “It was an amazing evening last night."
In March, Preckwinkle appeared alongside Clinton at a polling place in her Chicago precinct on Illinois’ primary Election Day. She said she looks forward to the former President’s headlining speech at the DNC Tuesday.
"At the last convention, he gave one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard in my life,” Preckwinkle said.
After Preckwinkle’s appearance with Clinton Monday, rumors about a potential mayoral run intensified. In response, Preckwinkle claimed that Chicago Tribune Reporter John Kass, who speculated about the Clintons backing Preckwinkle in the 2019 Chicago mayoral election, has a “vivid imagination.”
Mayor Rahm Emanuel has faced increased scrutiny in the wake of the Laquan McDonald controversy. McDonald was shot and killed by Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in October of 2014. After dash-cam footage of the incident was released in November of last year, there was a large public outcry for Emanuel's resignation.
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In March, Chicago Magazine released their "Power 50" issue with Preckwinkle at the top of the list. Emanuel ranked second.
