Illness Forces Cancellation of Biden's Appearance in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – A trip by former Vice President Joe Biden to Springfield, Illinois, has been called off because of illness.

Biden had been scheduled to speak Today at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association brunch at a Springfield hotel, but the group’s leader says Biden is under doctor’s orders not to travel. Rock Island County party chairman Doug House says he’s sure Biden will soon be back campaigning for Democrats in Illinois and elsewhere.

The brunch kicks off the Illinois State Fair’s Democrat Day. The group had sold all 2,500 tickets for hotel’s main ballroom and made plans to accommodate 700 more people in a second room.

Biden’s keynote spot is being filled by South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who ran last year for national Democratic chairman.