SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois’ top Democrat has warned party faithful not to get lackadaisical because the Republicans are poised to nominate Donald Trump for president.

Michael Madigan of Chicago, the Illinois House speaker, closed a meeting with Democratic delegates Monday advising them not to “rest on your laurels.”

Many Democrats are tittering at the presumed nomination of Trump, the New York businessman known for questionable comments about immigrants and his cutting criticism of opponents. They believe top Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders would easily defeat him and boost down-ballot Democrats.

Madigan told the district-level delegation to the national convention “this will be a very contested election — from president on down, and particularly in Illinois.”

A Trump spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

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