‘Chicago was born for moments like this’: All eyes on the Windy City as the Democratic National Convention gets underway
CHICAGO — After more than a year of planning, Chicago is at the center of the political spotlight this week, as the 2024 Democratic National Convention gavels to order on Monday.
“Chicago was born for moments like this,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.
The four-day DNC, which takes place at the United Center on the Near West Side, runs from Monday, Aug. 19, through Thursday, Aug. 22, and thousands are expected to be traveling throughout the city.
The convention is expected to bring in at least 5,000 delegates, more than 50,000 visitors, 15,000 members of the media and another 12,000 volunteers.
Local leaders are now responsible for making sure everyone has a good time and that the city remains safe.
“Our city is ready,” says Christy George, executive director of the Chicago DNC Host Committee. “Our city is beautiful. It is shining.”
Just as the Republicans did in Milwaukee last month, Democrats will spend four days celebrating their party platform and nominee, with 77 days to go from the start of the DNC to election day on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Vice President Kamala Harris is now the Democratic standard-bearer, having already officially been confirmed as the presidential candidate.
At around 7 p.m. on Sunday night, Vice President Harris landed in Chicago, where Mayor Johnson greeted her on the tarmac.
Harris, who is trying to become the first woman president, will close out the convention on Thursday night with prime-time remarks. Her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, is set to speak on Wednesday.
Democrats have all of their A-listers on the program this week.
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Dream come true for governor
For Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, this is a dream come true. Pritzker, who was vetted as a possible running mate for Harris before Walz was ultimately selected, will address the convention on Tuesday.
Pritzker, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot are those most responsible for landing the DNC. That was among the topics Pritzker discussed in a sit down interview with WGN-TV on Friday.
“Very excited for this, and I think the city is ready, the excitement level is very high. The electricity, I think, among Democrats for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz — I am so excited, and we’ve worked at this for a couple of years now,” Pritzker said. “First, to win the convention for Chicago, and then starting back in April of (20)23, to get ready for this moment.”
According to Pritzker, the process of getting the DNC to the city has not been easy.
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“It’s a long process, and we were competing against three great cities — Houston, Atlanta, New York,” he said. “So making the case for Chicago, I knew I could do that, I do that every day, making the case for Illinois, as I do.
“And then I think every time I saw President Biden … I would start out shaking his hand and saying to him, ‘Now, we’re going to have the convention in Chicago, right?’ And he would laugh after the second or third time, because he understood that I was not going to let up on this.”
There will be a bit of a party vibe across the city this week, too, as Pritzker has booked an A-list artist to perform at a premier concert venue.
“We’ve got John Legend performing at a really great event on Tuesday night,” he said. “I get to speak in prime-time earlier on Tuesday, and then Barack Obama is, I think, one of the big featured speakers that night.
“So right after that, we’re going to have this great event at the Salt Shed, celebrating what happened that night and also the couple of days ahead, when we’re going to finally have Kamala Harris officially as our presidential nominee.”
Mayor in spotlight
Also in the spotlight this week is Mayor Johnson.
The DNC is by far the biggest test he’s faced, as he deals with security, protests and demands from the Democratic Party’s heavy hitters.
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As the mayor caters to party insiders, Johnson is trying to make sure all Chicagoans benefit from the convention.
On Friday, the mayor sat down with WGN-TV at The Duplex, a Black-owned restaurant in Logan Square.
When asked where he would tell Vice President Harris to eat when she arrives in Chicago, Johnson said there were several choices.
“Well, we’ve got to start off on the West Side of Chicago first,” he said. “So, well, we’ll send her to Soulé in North Lawndale. It’s a Black-owned business there. A Black woman who’s hiring individuals who are returning from jail and incarceration. There’s Truth, another Black business on the South Side of Chicago. I’ve got Virtue. Uncle Remus on the West Side, right? Kitchen and Cocktails.
“There are so many different places to eat. I hope she’s able to get her steps in, because you come to Chicago, you’re going to eat very well.”
Working with the Secret Service, Johnson and Chicago police are implementing a plan to keep everyone safe but also to respect demonstrators’ right to protest.
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Johnson told WGN-TV that there is no place for potential bad actors or those looking to instigate violence or cause trouble. He added that protecting the right to protest is fundamental.
“Protecting the fundamental right to protest is a hallmark of our democracy,” Johnson said. “In fact, I don’t exist without protest. If I could be so audacious, we don’t exist without protest. From our ability to vote, to ensuring that equal protection under the law. And so that’s important, but what I’ve also said was that we have to have a safe, well-protected demonstration.
“Protecting the right of the First Amendment also includes protecting the individuals who are actually expressing their First Amendment right. That is paramount, and their voices will be heard. We’ve made staging available for them, amplification for those stages with microphones, porta-potties and anything else that individuals need. But the most important thing is that we’re ready.”
“They’re been planning for this for quite some time,” Pritzker said. “And then we’ve got law enforcement from outside states coming in to help us out.
“So I feel very good about the security and safety of people who are in Chicago. And, of course, we want to protect the protesters, too, and their right to protest.”
On Monday, President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Mayor Johnson are set to deliver remarks. Gov. Pritzker and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will both speak on Tuesday.
Former Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger will also speak on Thursday, a source confirmed to WGN-TV.
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Other notable names set to speak at this week’s convention include, former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Minority House Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Several street closures and parking restrictions are in place this week because of the event, and organizers anticipate high volumes of people to be at the United Center from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. each night.
Several thousand activists have also arrived in Chicago for the DNC. On Sunday, a large group of demonstrators marched down Michigan Avenue.
After more than a year of planning, Chicago is at the center of the political spotlight this week as host of the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Day 1 Recap:
Day 1 of DNC wraps with Biden giving Harris an enthusiastic endorsement
Chicago mayor addresses convention, celebrates Harris: ‘she’s got us’
Harris praises Biden in surprise DNC appearance
Protesters breach portion of DNC security barrier
Photos: Celebs spotted at the DNC
Biden takes maiden flight on new ‘Marine One’ in Chicago
Lt. Gov Stratton: Biden among most effective presidents; Harris best to defeat Trump
Carol Moseley Braun, Illinois’ first female senator, affirms Harris’ readiness
The convention runs through Thursday. Chicago has hosted Democrats 12 times, the last being nearly 30 years ago when President Bill Clinton was nominated for a second term.
WGN Cover Story: Why Chicago has hosted more presidential conventions than any other city.
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