CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The 2023 Democratic National Convention is coming back to Chicago for the first time since 1996.
“We are honored and pleased to be the host committee for the Democratic National Convention in 2024,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot told a crowd at Kennedy-King College.
Lightfoot said the announcement “made my day, my week, my month, my year.”
“Demonstrating that we know how to come together as a city, government, and the private sector to make sure that we can pull off large-scale events, which we do as a matter of course,” she said.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker tweeted that he looks forward to welcoming everyone and that there is no better place to tell the story of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
During a visit to Chicago in the summer of 2022, Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said the party's presidential nominating convention is vitally important.
“This will be the first time in four years, in which America will see Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and all of the things they have accomplished and achieved — and to hear their stories,” Harrison said.
In a statement, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson described Chicago as a world-class that looks like America and demonstrates the value of the Democratic Party.
“We are unmatched when it comes to hosting events of this scale,” Johnson said. “I look forward to working closely with the DNC to facilitate a spectacular convention that showcases Chicago's diverse culture, our beautiful lakefront, our renowned hospitality sector, and our best asset: our amazing people.”
Between 5,000 – 7,000 delegates and alternates are expected to attend daytime events at McCormick Place and evening affairs at the United Center from Aug. 19 – 22. Thousands of other visitors are also expected to come to Chicago for the convention.
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