Why the Illinois primary still matters

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Illinois primary is still two weeks away, but voters here will play an important role in the presidential election.

Historically, Super Tuesday ends the campaigns for candidates who don't do well and often paves the way for the eventual nominee. But both Democrats and Republicans say future primaries, especially Illinois, are still very much in play.

"I think [Illinois] stays in play mainly because she is a native daughter and everybody is going to look to see how well she does here," says Delmarie Cobb of the Illinois Hillary for America campaign.

Cobb says Clinton needs to win big here; supporters are hoping for a large voter with Clinton's base.

"Her support is strong among African Americans and older people," Cobb says.

The Illinois Sanders Campaign is focusing on younger and first time voters to win.

"Illinois is interesting state because universities have early voting sites on campus, so we're going to be focusing heavily on base that has proven to be strong for Sanders," says Clem Balanoff, State Director for the Sanders campaign.

On the republican side, Illinois may be the primary that seals the deal for Trump or puts some life back into the Rubio, Kasich or Cruz campaigns. Many Illinois republicans are hoping for the latter, as some say they refuse to back Trump/

"It raises the potential we will have a brokered convention, that trump wont get to the convention with enough delegates, the 1236 secured, to the lock nomination on first vote," says former Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady.

There also may be a possibility Trump can win the popular vote in Illinois, but not the delegates. The primary here is not winner take all; Democratic and Republican delegates are chosen by congressional district.