CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The 2024 Democratic National Convention will officially begin in Chicago on Monday, nearly one month after President Joe Biden ended his reelection campaign and opened the door for Vice President Kamala Harris to rise to the top of the ticket.
The DNC will take place at both McCormick Place and the United Center, where delegates from all 50 states will meet to formally anoint Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate, as the Democratic nominees for president and vice president.
Going into the DNC, the safety of residents, attendees and protesters has been a huge concern for the Chicago Police Department and the Secret Service. As a result, the convention is sure to have a major impact on the city. Below, find answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding the massive event, including safety, traffic closures and other essential information about the convention.
2024 presidential campaign recap: How did we get here?
By the time the DNC kicks off, it will have been just under two months since a nationally televised debate between Biden and former President Donald Trump on June 27. The debate was a disaster for Biden, who quickly came under pressure to end his campaign.
On July 13, as calls grew for Biden to drop out, a gunman attempted to assassinate Trump during a rally in Butler, Pa. Trump survived, and two days later he showed up to the Republican National Convention — with a bandage over his ear — to formally accept the party's nomination. Trump named Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) as his running mate at the convention.
Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, less than one month after the debate. He immediately endorsed Kamala Harris, his vice president. In a matter of weeks, she secured the necessary delegates to win the party’s nomination. As the DNC nears, many political analysts believe the presidential race is neck-and-neck.
How will Chicago police and the Secret Service ensure a safe Democratic National Convention?
For months, Chicago Police and the Secret Service have emphasized that public safety will be a chief priority during the DNC. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has previously stated that 500 officers from across Illinois and Milwaukee will assist CPD in securing the convention. Snelling has promised that all 77 Chicago neighborhoods will have plenty of Chicago police and protection.
Secret Service leaders have said that while they were able to learn lessons from the July assassination attempt of Trump, the attack didn’t change much of their approach. Given the event’s designation as a National Special Security Event, officials said safety protocols for the event were already very strong.
As a result of the special security designation, all participants must undergo background checks in order to be credentialed and gain access to the designated security zones at both the United Center and McCormick Place.
Where will Democratic National Convention and security perimeters be set up?
Secret Service leaders said there will be two perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place. Vehicles will be subject to a search in the outer zone, and only people with proper credentials will be allowed in the inner zone.
The United Center security zones will take effect at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 and will last until the morning of Friday, Aug. 23. McCormick Place’s security zones will take effect at 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 and last until the end of the DNC Thursday, Aug. 22.
Residents who live in these areas will be able to access their homes, and security teams have been canvassing the area to communicate any special rules to those residents.
When and where will Democratic National Convention street closures take place?
In general, the street closures around both McCormick Place and the United Center align with the perimeter of the security zones. Rideshares and taxis, though, will be able to enter vehicle screening perimeter areas in order to get to a hotel or residence.
Street closures will begin surrounding the United Center on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 10 p.m. Here’s the full list of United Center closures:
-West Washington Boulevard from Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
-Damen Avenue from Jackson Boulevard to West Washington Boulevard
-West Warren Boulevard from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
-West Madison Street from North Leavitt Street to South Paulina Street
-West Monroe Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
-West Adams Street from South Seeley Avenue to South Paulina Street
-South Honore Street from West Monroe Street to West Adams Street
-South Wood Street from West Washington Boulevard to West Jackson Boulevard
-South Seeley Avenue from West Madison Street to West Adams Street
-Restricted traffic on Jackson Boulevard from South Damen Avenue to South Wood Street
McCormick Place’s street closures will begin on Friday, Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. Here’s the full list of McCormick Place closures:
-Indiana Avenue from 18th to East 24th Place
-Michigan Avenue from 21st to 25th Street
-Cermak Road from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
-23rd Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
-Prairie Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
-24th Street from Wabash Avenue to Indiana Avenue
-Calumet Avenue from Cullerton Street to 24th Place
-24th Place from Wabash Avenue to MLK Drive
-MLK Drive from Cermak Road to 25th Street
-East 21st Street closed from South Michigan Avenue to South Calumet Avenue.
-East 21st Street is open from west of South Michigan Avenue to South Wabash Avenue.
Where are protests expected to take place during the Democratic National Convention?
The city of Chicago has been at odds with protesters over where demonstrations may take place during the DNC. The city has proposed a protest route that runs north of the United Center between Union Park and Damen Avenue. Protesters have argued that their route needs to be longer in order to accommodate the large crowds expected.
Chicago officials also designated Union Park and Park 578, both of which are located along the city’s proposed protest route, as official protest areas.
A federal judge sided with the city’s proposal on Aug. 13, but that ruling does not guarantee the protests will remain confined to that area.
How often have political conventions been held in Chicago?
Chicago has a long history of hosting political conventions. The city, going back to 1860, has held the RNC 14 times, and this year’s DNC will be Chicago’s 12th. The 2024 convention, though, is only the city’s third since 1968 — when violence broke out both inside and outside the convention. In an official investigation led by the Illinois governor, actions taken by Chicago cops against protesters were described as a “police riot.”
Some have drawn comparisons between 1968 and the present day, citing the rise of anti-war protests and an incumbent president ending their campaign during the same year as the election itself. Current Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling, though, said he thinks it’s often forgotten that Chicago hosted a smooth convention in 1996.
“It was a success,” Snelling said. “The Chicago Police Department does a great job of working through events like this. This will be no different.”
When will Kamala Harris accept the nomination for president?
Harris is expected to make her formal address to the convention on Thursday, in which she’ll accept the party’s nomination.
Who are the scheduled speakers at the DNC?
Although DNC organizers haven’t released a full schedule of speakers, Walz is expected to speak on Wednesday. It’s also been widely reported that Biden will speak at the convention. Other speakers are expected to include former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Gov. JB Pritzker, who had a lot to do with the convention coming to Chicago, is scheduled to speak to the delegates on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will give his acceptance speech. Harris' acceptance speech will be on Thursday night.
Among the other major speakers are: former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
What kind of impact will the Democratic National Convention have on Chicago long-term?
From the very start of this process, National Democratic Party leaders have insisted that any convention held in Chicago must have lasting benefits for the city.
To that end, DNC 2024 Host Committee Executive Director George told WBBM they are creating databases of diverse local businesses and cultural resources that will be shared with Choose Chicago, the tourism agency. The city will also be spruced up, physically she said.
“We do believe that the city has done an extensive amount of infrastructure investment, but what we have also been thinking about is: ‘How can we invest in our people?’” George said. “So, in each one of our vendor contracts, we have mentorships and internships. What we have also noticed, with the city of Chicago, they started a Junior Laborers’ Program, where they were able to hire on 70 [Chicago Public Schools] to become junior laborers.”
WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore contributed to this report.
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