MILWAUKEE (WLS) — Illinois Republicans gathered in Milwaukee for a breakfast meeting on Monday to show support for former President Donald Trump.

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The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday afternoon and delegates said they were ready and excited.

The delegate breakfast was filled with fiery speeches meant to build enthusiasm for Thursday night when they will hear from Trump.

“Welcome to Milwaukee, welcome to the greatest Republican convention and the history of mankind, and welcome more important to the beginning of the end of the Biden presidency,” Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy said.

Illinois delegates gathered at a hotel south of Milwaukee in Oak Creek to get their convention swag, and a hear from party leaders as they prepare to head to the convention.

There was a call for unity with look to November.

“We have to come together as a party put up, get put all of our differences aside because we need to put our energy behind each other and push the Democrats back That is what we need to do in this state,” State Rep John Cabello, (R) McChesney Park, GOP Delegate said.

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“Well, there’s extreme optimism and I think people see that God spared our fearless and faithful leader Donald J. Trump’s life. Another day of opportunities here to stand for what has made our country not only great but good,” IL Rep. Mary Miller (R) said.

Not only was there a call to come together in a party fractured by recent changes in leadership, but there was also a rallying cry with the questions about Joe Biden’s future continuing to swirl even though he insists he’s staying in the race.

“They don’t know whether their existing candidate is going to get there. Or if they’re going to replace them. Or if they try to replace them. Is it going to be with the vice president or how are they don’t know 46 what’s our situation? We have the right candidate at the right time,” Republican Congressman Mike Bost said.

The convention is set to get underway Monday afternoon, when delegates will take up the actual business side of things.

There will be another program this evening, and that is typically when you start to hear from some of the national speakers. No, Illinois Republicans are on the list.

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Much of northern Illinois is under a severe thunderstorm watch until early Monday morning, as the area faces a threat of “torrential rain,” according to the National Weather Service.

Storms began developing near Rockford about 7 p.m. and are expected to keep moving east and southeast, though some storms are developing ahead of the existing storm, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Casey Sullivan.

“It’s difficult to say now” what areas would be hit hardest, Sullivan said, though he said some places could see 2 to 3 inches of rain with the potential of flooding. The storms are expected to hit Chicago, which is also under a flood watch until 4 a.m. Monday, before 11 p.m.

“The severe weather threat is mainly wind,” Sullivan told the Sun-Times, noting gusts could swell above 58 mph. The storms are expected to clear out of northern Illinois by 1 a.m. after passing through the southeast suburbs, though some could linger longer, he said.

“If we issue a severe thunderstorm warning, go inside to your safe room,” he said. And “do not drive through flooded roadways. Find an alternate route, you never know how deep the water will be.”

Another round of more severe storms is expected Monday evening, though a heat advisory may come before the storms hit, with heat indexes expected to reach between 100 and 110 degrees.

The city will open its cooling centers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday in response to the anticipated heat, though the Garfield Center will be open 24 hours a day for anyone needing “shelter placement,” according to a release from the city’s Department of Family and Support Services. Here are the locations:

• Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th St.
• Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
• King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove
• North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.
• South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
• Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave.

City officials also suggested people make use of other city facilities to keep cool, such as Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District fieldhouses, Chicago Police Department district stations and the seven City Colleges of Chicago main campuses, “as well as pools and splash pads located throughout the city.” Residents can find the nearest cooling centers by visiting this site or calling 311.

The agency’s Homeless Services outreach delegate agencies will also have street outreach teams working “across the city.”

City Colleges of Chicago locations available for cooling:

• Daley College, Manufacturing Technology & Engineering Center, South Pulaski & 76th St, 7 am – 8:30 p.m.
• Harold Washington College, 30 E. Lake St., 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Kennedy-King College, U Building, 740 W. 63rd St: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Olive-Harvey College, Main Building, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Truman College, Main Building, 1145 W. Wilson Ave: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The city also listed Salvation Army locations in Chicago that will open as cooling centers Monday.

• Chicago Temple Corps Community Center: 1 N. Ogden Ave., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Mayfair Community Church: 5020 N. Pulaski Road, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Freedom Center: 825 N. Christiana Ave. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Red Shield Center: 945 W. 69th St., 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.