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Illinois Democrats raise $1 million at annual gala while Donald Trump stops for a sleepover at a Chicago estate

Illinois Democrats raise  million at annual gala while Donald Trump stops for a sleepover at a Chicago estate

CHICAGO (WLS) – Donald Trump spends a night at Chicago's Trump Tower, taking a break from campaigning, while Illinois Democrats held their annual gala just blocks away.

Security was intense around the property as Trump made a rare overnight stop in the deeply Democratic city.

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Down in the street the opposing party was celebrating.

With less than 40 days until the election, the statewide party's annual gala served as a mini-reprise of the Democratic National Convention and a call to action.

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“We’re busing to Wisconsin and Michigan,” said Toni Preckwinkle, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party. “We’re not trying to convert Trump voters, we’re trying to get our own people to vote.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reminded Democrats how narrow the margin is.

“In 2016, Donald Trump won Michigan by two votes per district,” she said.

Trump made two separate campaign stops in Michigan on Friday.

“We have early absentee voting for the election in your state starting this week. And once you have your ballot, return it as quickly as possible. And if you don’t get a ballot, go out and get a ballot,” he told voters.

Michigan is a must-win part of the Midwest for both candidates; a state that won and cost every party in the last election.

Governor Whitmer is working to move forward in this equation.

“Everyone counts,” she said. “Across the state and in every county, we are working to make sure people know that it is easier than ever to vote in the state of Michigan.”

Illinois Democrats said they raised another $1 million at Friday's event.

Trump will leave his Chicago estate on Saturday morning for a campaign rally in Wisconsin.

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