Press Release: In Stunning Show of Democratic Resistance, Tim Walz and Adelita Grijalva are the FORWARD, TOGETHER Keynote Speakers
As Trump’s GOP targets blue states, triggers a government shutdown and delays new members of Congress from being sworn in, Democrats gather in Chicago to show what leadership looks like
Chicago, IL — With the federal government paralyzed by congressional Republicans’ refusal to protect access to health care and end the Trump-driven shutdown, the Democratic Party of Illinois remains unrelenting in the fight against authoritarianism. Tomorrow, Friday, October 10, 2025, the Party will bring together over a thousand Democrats from across the state for its third annual gala at the Hilton Chicago.
This year’s keynote speakers will now be Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, the newly elected representative from Arizona’s 7th Congressional District.
Congresswoman-elect Grijalva’s historic swearing-in as the first Latina elected to Congress from Arizona has been delayed by House Republicans as she pushes for a vote to release unclassified Epstein-related files that Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to bring forward.
Like Illinois, Minnesota has become a target of the Trump Administration’s political retribution—tactics intended to challenge Democratic leadership, create chaos, sow division, and roll back progress—but essentially hurt working families at every turn. Governor Walz, whose leadership has secured paid leave, universal free school meals, and enhanced labor protection, is on the frontlines fighting to insulate Minnesotans from Trump’s attacks on working families.
DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez said Congresswoman-elect Grijalva’s story and Governor Tim Walz’s record embody the high stakes of this moment:
“Trump’s shutdown has paralyzed Washington and left families across the country paying the price. But here in Illinois, Democrats are coming together to show what real leadership looks like. Congresswoman-elect Grijalva represents the kind of courage and commitment our party stands for: she’s fighting to be seated, to serve her constituents, and to do her job even while Republicans refuse to do theirs. Governor Tim Walz demonstrates our party’s fighting spirit: he won’t back down, he speaks truth to power and he stands up for every single working family. Our gala is a reminder that Democrats don’t back down from chaos. We organize, we show up, and we keep moving forward.”
“It is an honor to join the Democratic Party of Illinois. The country has been watching what is happening in the streets of Chicago and I commend the leadership and courage demonstrated by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson. In the face of rising authoritarianism, the people of Chicago are leading the charge of resistance,” said U.S. Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva (AZ-7).
“What we’re seeing from the Trump Administration—from declaring war on Chicago to throwing due process out the window—is not normal. I’m proud to stand alongside Illinois Democrats tomorrow as we remind Republicans that ‘no new wars’ includes American cities,” said Governor Tim Walz.
“At a time when authoritarianism is on the rise, it’s important to stand up and to speak out. We’re doing that here in Illinois, Representative-elect Grijalva is doing that in Arizona, and Governor Walz is doing the same in Minnesota. Though Speaker Mike Johnson has unjustly delayed her swearing in, and the Trump Administration also targets his state, they continue to speak up, fight for their constituents, and defend our democracy. Governor Walz and Representative-elect Grijalva both embody and champion the same values as Democrats here in Illinois. This is a time for all of us to come together and stand strong for one another and to send a message to Trump and the Republican party that we won’t back down. We’ll keep fighting to move Illinois forward,” said Governor JB Pritzker.
The Gala, originally scheduled to feature U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Alex Padilla, has been adjusted as the Senators remain in Washington to continue fighting Trump’s government shutdown. The crisis has kept lawmakers in session as Republicans refuse to pass a clean funding bill — choosing instead to hold the government hostage in order to raise health care costs for 22 million Americans.
ABOUT ADELITA GRIJALVA:
Congresswoman-elect Grijalva won a special election on September 23, 2025 for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, succeeding her late father, Congressman Raúl Grijalva. She made history as one of the first Latinas elected to represent Arizona in Congress.
Her historic swearing-in has been delayed by House Republicans who have refused to seat her as Speaker Mike Johnson blocks a vote to release unclassified Epstein-related files and continues to prolong Trump’s government shutdown. Despite being barred from working the House floor, Grijalva remains in Washington, working to serve her constituents and uphold the democratic principles her family has long championed.
ABOUT TIM WALZ:
Tim Walz is Minnesota’s 41st Governor. He was first elected Governor in 2018 and won re-election in 2022. Accomplishments from his time as Governor include providing universal free school meals for students, protecting reproductive freedom, strengthening voting rights, laying the groundwork to get Minnesota to 100% clean electricity by 2040, cutting taxes for the middle class, and expanding paid leave for Minnesota workers. Now, he is running for reelection to continue making Minnesota the best state in the country to raise a family.
Party leadership from across Illinois will be in attendance as special guests.
We’re excited to share that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07) will be joining us at the Democratic Party of Illinois’ Third Annual Gala tomorrow.