WASHINGTON--Two big GOP conventions hit the Chicago suburbs on Friday: a string of Republican stars and potential vice presidential contenders appear at the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

The Illinois Republican State Convention is Friday and Saturday at the Tinley Park Convention Center. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus headlines the state party gathering on Friday night.

CPAC's schedule includes speeches by former GOP presidential rivals Rick Santorum, Michele Bachmann and Herman Cain. The vice presidential maybes at CPAC are Ohio Gov. John Kasich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. Sen. Rand Paul, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are also on the agenda. So are Illinois House members Reps. Joe Walsh, Peter Roskam and Randy Hultgren