Ted Cruz crisscrosses Illinois day before primary

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. (WLS) -- Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz was holding four campaign events in Illinois Monday, including a rally in west suburban Glen Ellyn.

Cruz is hoping to use these primary eve speeches to make his last, best pitch to voters as he did at an outdoor event Sunday in North Carolina, where he doubled down on his conservative message.

"I will not compromise on your religious liberties, nor will I compromise on your right to keep and bear arms," he told the crowd.

The Tuesday primaries in Illinois and other states represent what may be Cruz's last chance to close his delegate deficit to front-runner Donald Trump.

The Texas senator told a Glen Ellyn crowd that he is the only Republican who can beat Hillary Clinton.

"We are surging here. The support here is strong," Cruz said. "The polling shows this race is neck and neck here in the state of Illinois."

Cruz's new Illinois strategy is linking Trump with Cook County Democrats.

"Donald Trump gave $7,000 to Rod Blagojevich, $12,000 to Cook County Democrats, and amazingly gave $50,000 to Rahm Emanuel," Cruz said.

An animal rights protester was calmly escorted out to chants of, "We want Ted."

While most at this event were already Cruz supporters, there were a few undecided Republican voters who liked what they saw.

"He stuck with who he is; a lot of people have morphed into what people think they want to hear," said Republican voter Tim Banks.

"He doesn't waiver. He says what he means, means what he says," said Cruz supporter Arlene Gryzlak.