Downtown Chicago businesses board up ahead of Democratic National Convention
CHICAGO — A number of businesses in the city’s business district have covered windows and doors with plywood to better protect the buildings should demonstrations during next week’s Democratic National Convention turn unruly.
Scott Shapiro of Syd Jerome Menswear is among the businesses that chose to reinforce their windows, saying he’s had “zero indication” of any additional protections in the Loop. The men’s clothing shop is located on Madison Street, just down the block from City Hall and along the route to the United Center.
Shapiro said his storefront has been damaged on four previous occasions, with windows broken merchandise looted and other property damage.
“We know from past experiences something could ensue so we want to be proactive and get ahead of it,” he said.
Crews with a business called Chicago Board Up Services say they’ve boarded up at least a dozen locations around the West Loop, downtown and Daley Plaza and have plans to work on additional businesses weekend.
“If you feel you’re in any type of line where you feel there’s going to be a lot of commotion — we’re not pushing it — we’re hoping the city will be comfortable and there wont be no unrest. But if you feel you want your doors boarded, it’s better to have them boarded up than have to wait and replace glass,” said business manager Vicki Fichter.
If a business is considering it, Fichter recommended they take action ahead of time but said her crews will be available next week should anything come up.
A spokesperson with the Chicago Loop Alliance said the organization believes the convention will go off successfully without harm to businesses and considers boarding up with plywood to be unnecessary.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, asked about the potential for violence during the convention at a press event to show off the police department’s new helicopter, insisted that Chicago is prepared.
“To assuage people’s concerns, the only thing that I can say is we’re really good at this. … I understand why people might have some trepidation because you have elements in this world that want to take us back to a very dark path. … But here’s one thing that I know for sure, as a social studies teacher, our democracy will not only survive, we will come out stronger,” he said.
He reiterated that Chicago’s police force has long been coordinating with the Secret Service and other law enforcement agencies on DNC security.
In a sit-down interview with WGN on Thursday, Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling said his officers are better trained and better prepared to handle any violence that erupts than they were four years ago in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Democrats will host their nominating convention in Chicago August 19-22. Chicago has hosted Democrats 12 times, the last being nearly 30 years ago when President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term.
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