Update, 10 p.m., Friday, June 8, 2012 

Illinois Republicans hoping to have more of a say in the state party's processes will have to wait another four years for another swing at it.

While McLean County Republicans Chairman John Parrott rallied the packed room at the Platform and Resolutions Committee meeting Friday, during the Illinois State GOP Convention in Tinley Park, the votes fell short for direct elections of state committeemen and won't go to the full delegate floor Saturday. 

Those in favor of the election said it would energize the state's Republicans, bring them back into the process and eventually turn Illinois back to red. And those against said the money needed to campaign would only corrupt another process further, and other obstacles would be counter productive.

The committee also decided to leave language against opening Illinois' doors to gambling. 

Read our live blog transcript for more information. 

Look for our ongoing coverage of the convention on Saturday, and recaps after its conclusion. 

Original Post, 5:58 a.m., Friday, June 8, 2012

Republicans from across the state meet this weekend at the Tinley Park Convention Center to make key party calls for the upcoming presidential election and for the years that follow.

Among them are the following, according to state Republican officials:

• Adopting a party platform for the next four years
• Electing a National Committeeman and Committeewoman
• Selecting Presidential Electors who will go to Springfield to cast their votes for Gov. Mitt Romney if he defeats President Barack Obama in Illinois
• Deciding on who the at-large national convention delegates will be appointed for the Presidential Nomination
• Deciding whether to hold a popular vote for State Central Committeemen and Committeemen, one of each per congressional district, starting in 2014

Republican representatives will also attend several workshops, including one on the use of social media during elections.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Preibus will also be on hand during the convention, as will other officials from across the state and country.

See the full convention schedule online.

Patch staff will be there throughout starting Friday morning with updates running on our live blog above.

Please join in the discussion and let us know if you have any questions along the way. 

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