CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Day one of the Democratic National Convention featured speeches from leaders across the country and here in Chicago, including Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The mayor drew largely from the city's history of political activism and famous Chicago figures to tie the city's legacy to Democrats' platform behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Chicago, where Reverend Jesse Jackson united people from all different backgrounds to keep hope alive and to a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago, Barack Obama rose to the White House, reminding us that, “Yes, we can,’” Johnson proclaimed.
He said Chicago will continue to be a history-making city, this time playing a crucial role in electing the country's first Black woman and Asian American woman as president.
“Now, Chicago, this city of hard work and caring people is where Democrats will celebrate President Joe Biden and nominate Kamala Harris for president of the United States of America,” Johnson said.
Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin also took the stage. In his speech, he compared Donald Trump to "a bad boss."
“You want time off to take care of your sick parent? Ask Donald Trump. Denied,” Durbin said. “In Donald Trump’s America, there’s no paid family leave. Want to have a child, but need IVF? Too bad, that’s shut down too. Want a pay a raise? Too bad, the boss just gave himself one, and so there’s nothing left for you.”
Durbin praised the Biden-Harris administration's impact on jobs while criticizing the effect of Trump’s presidency on workers.
“Donald Trump did make history, let’s give him credit. He was one of only two presidents in the history of the United States to leave office with fewer Americans working than when he started. Now he wants to make America unemployed again,” Durbin quipped.
On the DNC agenda today, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are set to speak, along with Governor JB Pritzker.
The theme for today is “A Bold Vision for America’s Future."
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