U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., hosted her 11th Annual Ultimate Women's Power Lunch May 4 at the Hilton Chicago.
Impending November elections and the GOP's "War on Women" were common themes, as Schakowsky and several Democratic speakers pushed for increased voter turnout.
"We are meeting today at a critical turning point in our country's history, where all that we have worked for as progressives and women … is at risk," Schakowsky said. "You, me, and millions of other women are the key to restoring the promise of America."
Energy was high as Schakowsky took the stage to a standing ovation ("Sit down, everyone! We've got work to do."). The congresswoman urged progressive activism before turning the microphone over to Gov. Pat Quinn and charismatic U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.
"This election is it," Klobuchar said between cracking jokes and sharing White House anecdotes. "We cannot go back to being a country that simply churns money on Wall Street. That didn't work too well for us, right? We have to be a country that makes stuff again, that invents and exports to the world."
More than 1,500 people attended the event. Special guests included state Sen. Heather Steans; state Reps. Kelly Cassidy, Sara Feigenholtz and Robyn Gabel; congressional hopeful Tammy Duckworth; and Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Equal pay crusader Lilly Ledbetter was slated to speak, but a last-minute family emergency prevented her attendance.