"We have to be realistic here," said Gov. Quinn. "We can't let the folks who were masquerading last week confuse the American people. The bottom line is their policy created the great recession. We got our country out of that, now we're going forward."
Quinn said he will wearing his lucky purple tie for his speech.
Eight District Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth will also be speaking.
"This is nothing, compared to being shot at," Duckworth said.
Duckworth is referring to her military experience to get her through her speech. Her race in the suburban 8th Congressional District is a key battle for the Democrats, as she is up against tea party favorite, Republican Joe Walsh.
"We're going to talk a lot about the need to roll up our sleeves and get back to work," Duckworth said, "and how important it is that we work with one another, and America needs to look forward."
Presidential advisor -- and Chicagoan -- Valerie Jarrett shared her thoughts on the headline speaker coming Tuesday night, first lady Michelle Obama.
"Going to be amazing terrific," Jarrett said. "She'll tell story like no one else can about her husband, and the presidency, and how he makes his decisions, and what moves him and motivates him, and how that should resonate with the American people."
That's the payoff the Obama campaign is working toward from this whole event -- making an impact -- especially in the minds of those voters who don't yet know which candidate to choose.
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin knows that in this tight race, it could push one candidate over the top by even the slightest of margins.
"I've questioned whether conventions are worthwhile anymore," said Durbin, "but they are important for re-energizing the party."
