Gwen Walz headlines first day of Illinois delegation breakfast

The Illinois delegation breakfast kicked off the DNC by featuring Gwen Walz, the wife of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.

The big picture: Gwen Walz, making her first appearance of the convention in front of delegates, lawmakers and media, talked about her time as an educator and relayed stories of working with her husband in adjoining classrooms.

What she's saying: "One of the things I love most about Tim is that he believes in his very core, so strongly, that every child deserves a chance to get ahead."

Zoom out: Walz is on a whirlwind tour, speaking at events and delegation breakfasts to drum up energy and support for her husband and the presidential ticket.

• "My mom would say to me growing up, 'Gwen, do the work that's in front of you,'" Walz said in her speech. "It's advice that I find both thoughtful and actionable."

Yes, but: She caused one awkward moment by thanking U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly as the chair of the state party.

Reality check: Kelly is no longer the chair following a contentious battle two years ago with Gov. JB Pritzker and current chair, state Rep. Lisa Hernandez.

Zoom out: Other speakers included Pritzker, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch and labor organizer Terry O'Sullivan, who riled up the crowd using salty language about Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump .

• "There are plenty of a**holes in our country that need a lobotomy, like Donald Trump," O'Sullivan said as Democrats rose to their feet. "Stand up, rise up, kick ass and take names."

The intrigue: Mayor Brandon Johnson was absent for the first day of breakfast meetings, a stark change from past mayors like Rahm Emanuel, Richard M. Daley and Richard J. Daley, who didn't just speak, but presided over the meetings.