It’s Chicago’s time to shine, as tens of thousands of people are expected to converge in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention at the United Center Aug. 19-22.
Often called the DNC, the convention happens every four years to formally nominate the Democratic Party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates.
During the convention, there will be opportunities to hear from the presumptive nominees, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden has called Chicago a “great choice” for DNC host.
Ben Homan, a senior accounting and finance major at DePaul, says this year’s election cycle feels like a repeat of the 2020 presidential race. However, he is looking forward to the convention and is hopeful that his generation can have more of a voice.
“Maybe since Chicago is such progressive city … there will be more opportunity for young people to come out,” Homan says.
A spokesperson for the DNC told ABC Chicago that over 5,000 delegates, 12,000 volunteers and 50,000 visitors will be in attendance.
Delegates are people who represent their voting precinct at the convention. They will vote to nominate the presidential candidate who was chosen by their precinct during the primary elections in each state.
Chicago has hosted 25 Democratic and Republican conventions, but this will be the first time Chicago is hosting the DNC since 1996. This will be the second consecutive DNC hosted in the Midwest, as it was hosted in Milwaukee in 2020.
The Republican Party will be hosting its own quadrennial convention this year in Milwaukee July 15-18.
A news release from the Democratic National Committee said Illinois is part of the “blue wall” that was crucial to Biden’s 2020 victory, along with Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Chicago’s union labor and hotel capacity also played a role in its selection.
“(Chicago) would be an easy travel destination historically,” Wayne Steger, a political science professor at DePaul, said. “If we go back in time, it had the largest node of railroads of any city in the country.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, told NBC 5 that she was working to bring the convention to Chicago for over 18 months.
“We’re right in the middle of the battleground states,” Duckworth said. “The Midwest is key to a victory in 2024, and there is no city better positioned to reach those voters than Chicago.”
Chicago was also in the spotlight when it hosted the 1968 convention, where protests over the Vietnam War filled the streets and fights erupted at the convention.
The Democratic Party was divided on whether to remain in the Vietnam War. Fights broke out on the convention’s floor, with delegates and reporters being harmed.
On the streets of Chicago, anti-Vietnam War groups protested for seven days. They were met with nightsticks and tear gas from the police.
Democrats are trying to avoid a repeat of the 1968 convention.
This year, protesters are working to gain access to the DNC to demonstrate over the Israel-Gaza war. Protest organizers expect up to 30,000 demonstrators to arrive in August.
Organizers are aware of potential protests this year. According to Politico, Democrats say they recognize that demonstrations are part of American democracy. They are confident that the police can manage protesters during the convention.
Protesters told the Chicago Tribune that they will march on the DNC whether they have the proper permits or not.
Kasia Martin, a senior political science major at DePaul, is expecting peaceful protests at the convention.
“With this much of a high profile event I can see (protests) happening, especially with the president being there and a lot of security being amped up,” Martin said.
Chicago police also are training to handle large-scale protests in anticipation of the DNC, according to CPD Supt. Larry Snelling.
But even in a heightened political environment, Steger doesn’t think Biden will face any security threats.
The DNC has an economic impact on its host city as well. The convention is estimated to generate $200 million, Michael Jacobson, of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, told CBS-2.
However, the amount is contested by Victor Matheson, a professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, who said the size of the event could dissuade tourists from visiting.
Whatever happens, Chicago will receive increased media attention during the convention. This year, there will be 15,000 members of the media in attendance, according to the 2024 Democratic National Convention website.
While the DNC largely draws television viewership from Democrats, Steger says Biden will have to work on unifying the party.
“I think that the outreach of Biden to progressives to mobilize the base to win this election, you need a lot of unity among your party — and then hope the other party is more disunified,” Steger said.
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