Casten joins Camp Biden

Another Democratic suburban congressman joined former Vice President Joe Biden's bandwagon Thursday, while a Chicago lawmaker headed to U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' camp.

The chess moves point to a fiery Democratic presidential primary in Illinois on March 17.

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove said in a statement that Biden could build a strong and diverse coalition. "Joe has the empathy and the heart to unite our party, our country -- and he has experience and the tenacity to get it done," the freshman congressman said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Jesús G. "Chuy" Garcia of Chicago committed to Sanders of Vermont.

"For me and for a majority of communities across our country, defeating (President) Donald Trump and reversing his inhumane immigration policies is not only urgent, it is personal," he said.

Already, the candidates and their surrogates are parachuting into Illinois. Biden's wife, Jill, will attend an Illinois Education Association event Friday in Rosemont; Sanders has rallies in Grant Park at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and in Rockford on Tuesday; and Joe Biden is expected in Chicago March 13 for a fundraiser.

On board for Biden so far are: U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates, and U.S. Reps. Bill Foster of Naperville, Mike Quigley of Chicago, Brad Schneider of Deerfield and Robin Kelly of Matteson.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Evanston had supported Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who suspended her campaign Thursday.

Going forward, it's still "very much under consideration -- Jan hasn't made any decisions one way or the other yet," a spokesman said.