please join me in giving an ovation for my partner and your lieutenant governor the incomparable juliana stratton! cheering and applause] i want to acknowledge the other guests today. leader bill brady, leader jim durkin, attorney general-elect rawle, secretary of state jesse white. controller suzanna mendoza. treasurer, members of the general assembly, members of the congressional delegation, governor pat quin, governor bruce rauner and national guard adjutant general richard hays to all of you on behalf of the people of illinois i thank you for your service. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, for 200 years, illinois has proudly stood as the beating heart of our republic. a place whose people have high hope and clear vision. this is where lincoln found the metal to grip a warring nation in both hands and hold us together. this is where obama came to organize and witness the courage that runs deep in our communities in whom he found the fortitude to launch his bid to make history. this is where the 13th and 19th amendments to the u.s. constitution were first ratified. ending slavery and guaranteein