2024 Democratic National Convention: Coverage of the DNC in Chicago

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at a news conference last week.

Politics

Toni Preckwinkle unanimously wins another term running Cook County Democratic Party

Preckwinkle said she expects the Democratic Party will be united behind President Joe Biden as he seeks reelection.

2024 Democratic National Convention

Democratic convention events getting Chicago treatment with new hospitality vendors

Five event production companies, nearly all based in Chicago, will be throwing the official parties for the Democratic National Convention in August.

By Amy Yee

2024 Democratic National Convention

No cracks in Blue Wall? Top Democrats vow Chicago is ready for convention, despite party divisions

Democrats are deeply focused on Wisconsin and Michigan to help bolster President Joe Biden’s re-election chances — and officials, in town for meetings hosted by the Democratic National Convention Committee, say they plan on showing voters a deep party contrast.

By Tina Sfondeles

Stephen Colbert announces his Chicago plans on Wednesday's episode of "The Late Show."

Movies and TV

Stephen Colbert to move 'Late Show' to Chicago for Democratic convention

The CBS fixture will be based at the Auditorium Theatre from August 19 to 22.

By Darel Jevens

City Hall

Council delays votes on migrant funding, $1.25 billion bond issue, ShotSpotter

Votes on $70 million to help migrants and the bond issue to fund housing and economic development now are set for Friday. The Council was, however, poised to approve a slew of other measures.

By Fran Spielman

Columnists

Democratic Party leaders meet in Chicago this week for pre-convention talks

In Chicago, the Democratic National Committee leaders will pick the members of the party’s platform, rules and credentials committees at the last party meeting before the August convention to renominate President Joe Biden.

By Lynn Sweet

Law enforcement unleashes a stream of pepper spray at protesters on State near Lake in the Loop as thousands in Chicago joined national outrage over the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

City Hall

City Council committee OKs $750K settlement stemming from George Floyd protest

Ald. Brendan Reilly said he’s concerned paying a settlement to Bryan Mejia, who suffered a fractured leg and torn ACL, will invite protesters expected for the Democratic National Convention to wreak havoc, then bombard the city with lawsuits.

By Fran Spielman

The United Center displays DNC 2024 on its LED screen outside of the arena on April 11, 2023.

2024 Democratic National Convention

'Security footprint' plan for Democratic Convention kicked to City Council for Wednesday vote

Protesters, residents and other DNC observers would be prohibited from bringing laptops, large bags, scooters and other items into certain areas closest to convention attendees under a proposed ordinance.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, from left, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., greet President Joe Biden as he arrives at the Soldier Field landing zone aboard Marine One before attending a campaign fundraiser on Monday.

Elections

Biden visits Chicago for fundraiser after pitching student loan relief in Wisconsin

Pro-Palestinian protesters greeted Biden outside the Drake Hotel on the Gold Coast, where the president had a campaign meeting before making remarks at the fundraiser.

By Emmanuel Camarillo and Cindy Hernandez

Elections

Biden heading to Chicago for fundraiser

A Chicago fundraiser for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign is expected to collected $2.5 million for the Biden Action Fund, a joint fundraising committee consisting of the Biden for President operation and the Democratic National Committee.

By Lynn Sweet

2024 Democratic National Convention

Media representatives to visit Chicago on May 22 for Democratic convention logistics briefings

This week, residents and businesses near the United Center and McCormick Place will receive briefings on how they will be impacted by convention security plans.

By Lynn Sweet

City Hall

Johnson chooses former State Sen. Pacione-Zayas as chief of staff, first Latina in role

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, having spent the last 11 months learning the ropes of city government as Rich Guidice’s top deputy, was the natural choice to replace Guidice.

By Fran Spielman

City Hall

Mayor Johnson backs Ald. Sigcho-Lopez in flag-burning controversy

The mayor made it clear he would not remove the City Council member for appearing at a rally where an American flag was burned to protest U.S. support for Israel.

By Fran Spielman

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle pitched her 2024 budget to the Cook County Board of Commissioners Thursday.

Elections

Pritzker sends Cook County Democratic Party $250K 'to turn out voters' in November

The funds will help target a big problem for a city opening its doors to President Joe Biden and the Democratic National Convention in August. Just 17.94% of registered voters in suburban Cook County and 25.7% of registered voters in Chicago voted in the March 19 primary.

By Tina Sfondeles

Politics

Pritzker heads to California to promote Illinois film industry, fundraise for convention and abortion rights

In between meetings with film and business leaders in California, Gov. J.B. Pritzker will fundraise for the Democratic National Convention Host Committee, including a reception in Los Angeles, and for abortion rights ballot initiatives in Arizona and Nevada.

By Tina Sfondeles

Chicago Chosen As Host Of 2024 Democratic Convention

2024 Democratic National Convention

Protest groups lose appeal to march near United Center during Democratic convention

The groups — both part of the Coalition to March on the DNC — filed for parade permits to march during the Aug-19 convention, but the city denied them, saying it would tie up traffic and require police officers it could not spare.

By David Struett

President Joe Biden, right, chats with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, left, and Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., at O’Hare International Airport during a visit to Chicago last year.

Elections

Is Chicago's tepid turnout a ‘warning sign’ for President Joe Biden in November?

Whether the city’s low voter turnout on Tuesday is a sign of apathy or dissatisfaction, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and key Democrats are downplaying the significance for President Joe Biden. But one leading pollster calls it a warning bell for other key Democratic cities: ‘These cities need to be engines of turnout.’

By Tina Sfondeles

Erika Boyd, mother of Nathen Jones, speaks to reporters on Monday, March 18, 2024.

City Hall

$52.75 million price tag? City Council OKs settlements tied to police abuse, wrongdoing

The largest of the settlements — for $45 million — goes to Nathen Jones, who suffered a massive traumatic brain injury after an unauthorized police chase. The settlements were approved at a Council meeting that also saw Mayor Brandon Johnson introduce an ordinance authorizing drawing of boundaries for a security footprint around the Democratic National Convention.

By Fran Spielman

2024 Democratic National Convention

Protests and peace — Chicago ready for demonstrators at Dem convention, but police won’t ‘tolerate violence'

“We want to make sure that we maintain peace,” Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said during a news conference Wednesday about this summer’s Democratic National Convention. “We’re going to police constitutionally.”

By Tom Schuba and Fran Spielman

Branding for the Democratic National Convention is displayed on the scoreboard at the United Center.

2024 Democratic National Convention

At Democratic convention in Chicago, perks for big Biden campaign donors include coveted credentials, hotels

When it comes to qualifying for perks — and this is true for Democrats and Republicans in past conventions — big donors can vault into the elite ranks either by direct giving or raising political cash. The Sun-Times has exclusive details on what is being offered to the Biden Victory Fund’s donors at this summer’s Chicago gathering.

By Lynn Sweet