A local Labor Day event had a record turn-out this year after a visit from a presidential candidate. Today, almost 5,000 people came to see Hillary Clinton and other democratic political leaders at the 48th annual Salute to Labor chicken fry in Hampton, Illinois. The labor day picnic and parade, organized by the Rock Island County Democratic Party, normally expects between 1,600 to 1,800 people.
Presidential candidates often visit the Iowa side of the Quad Cities, but Doug House, chairman of the Rock Island County Democratic Party, says the chicken fry hosts political leaders in Hampton every year.
Other speakers at the picnic included US Senator Dick Durbin, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, Illinois State Representative Pat Verschoore, Congressman Dave Loebsack, and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth.
But local resident Mary Jo Auliff, from Bettendorf, says she went to the event to support Hillary Clinton.
Clinton, who spoke about labor rights, gender equality, and supporting the middle class, also stopped today in Cedar Rapids and Burlington.