Party officials, including Gov. JB Pritzker, framed the upcoming election as a moment of sharp contrast, calling on Democrats to mobilize and "fight" in the final stretch of the campaign season.
Music from the Springfield stage opened the afternoon event, which featured a new setup but familiar calls for party unity and urgency, in the unofficial kickoff to the political season.
"Illinois Democrats are showing what it means to truly fight for the people," Pritzker said during the rally.
Hundreds of Democrats gathered on the fairgrounds despite hot and humid weather, many expressing optimism about the fall campaign.
"I think what excites me the most is the groundswell of the Democrats in this coming-up election," said Phillip King of Decatur.
"It's really important that we take care of the working family. That's who supports this country, and always has," said Michelle Silver of Springfield.
Speakers repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump and Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, now a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, told supporters, "76 days to stand up and fight against Donald Trump and congressional Republicans that want to rubstamp his cruel agenda."
Christian Mitchell, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, added, "We have seen what it looks like when regressive Republicans take over the governor's mansion, and there is no way in hell we're letting them do it again. Isn't that right?"
"We went all the way to the Supreme Court to tell Donald Trump: Don't toy with Illinois," Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said.
Two candidates for Chicago mayor, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who is not running for reelection, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is running for reelection, also spoke.
Keynote speaker Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren talked about the importance of the fight ahead in November.
"We are fighting Republicans on two fronts: costs and corruption," Warren said. "Our job as Democrats is to lower the costs and to end this corruption right now."
Pritzker, who recently contributed $65 million of his own money to his campaign, defended the move.
"I'm working to elect myself, Christian Mitchell, Democrats up and down the ballot, working hard to make sure that our message is heard by people all across the state of Illinois. So I'm going to continue to invest in that endeavor," he said.
Sen. Dick Durbin, retiring at the end of the year, joked that voters should not cast ballots for him because he will not be on the ballot. But he emphasized the importance of turnout.
"Listen, this is a big year for us. People think, well, the contests are in other states. They're right here. We've got to prove with our vote that we really want the right kind of change in America," Durbin said.
The festivities started with a breakfast gathering that included a host of tributes to Durbin.
The breakfast brought together more than 2,000 Democrats from every county around the state to energize the party faithful as they look ahead to the November election.
The rallying cry was elect more Democrats, with speaker after speaker offering tributes to Durbin.
Durbin frequently found himself in the spotlight Wednesday morning as he prepares to close the final chapter on a political career that began more than 40 years ago.
"In his decades of public service, he has represented our state well and made life better for people all across our country, Sen. Durbin from the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything," Mitchell said.
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Durbin spoke at his final Democratic Party Chairs' breakfast, as the party builder award was renamed to honor him.
"Your support through your votes and efforts have given me a chance to serve. I have tried to return your favor to make sure I look back on that ladder and have somebody up behind me. That is the future of our party, and we can remember it at every possible level," Durbin said.
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch did not attend the rally. Welch is facing a leadership crisis following a sexual harassment scandal involving a former House member. His office said he was taking his daughter to her first day of school.
Republican Day at the State Fair is scheduled for Thursday.