Chicago DNC 2024: Everything you need to know

CHICAGO - The Democratic National Convention returns to Chicago next week for the first time in 28 years to decide one half of a pivotal presidential election.

The convention spans four days, from Aug. 19-22, and is expected to bring 50,000 people from across the world to Chicago, including 5,000 delegates and alternates as well as 15,000 members of the media.

What is the Democratic National Convention?

The convention is where the Democratic Party formally nominates its candidates for president and vice president. Held every four years prior to the general election, the convention brings together thousands of delegates, party officials, activists and media members from across the United States.

The convention serves as a platform for outlining the party's policy positions, unifying its members and galvanizing support ahead of the election. 

Keynote speeches from party leaders and up-and-comers, as well as the acceptance speeches from nominees draw the most attention, capturing the focus of millions of viewers nationwide.

Where will the Democratic National Convention take place?

The DNC will be held primarily at the United Center on the Near West Side. The Democratic Party moved into the United Center on June 24, roughly two months ahead of the convention. 

The United Center, which last hosted the DNC in 1996, will host all official convention proceedings, televised programming and keynote speeches.

McCormick Place in the South Loop will serve as another location for the operations of the Democrats, hosting daytime party business, meetings and briefings. Hotels at the McCormick Place campus will also serve as the housing headquarters for party staffers and media members.

Both the United Center and McCormick Place will be placed under heavy security starting the weekend before the convention.

Authorities are imposing strict measures on people who live and work inside the secure zone as well, including vehicle checks.

Who can attend the Democratic National Convention?

While the convention will host thousands of attendees and delegates, the events are not all open to the general public. Those who can attend the DNC in person include:

• Delegates: Both pledged and unpledged delegates who represent their states and vote on the party's presidential and vice-presidential nominees.
• Party officials: Members of the Democratic National Committee and state party leaders.
• Elected officials: Democratic members of Congress, governors, and other key elected officials.
• Candidates and their campaign staff: The presidential and vice-presidential candidates, along with their campaign teams and supporters.
• Speakers: Notable figures within the party who deliver speeches to rally support and outline the party's vision and platform.
• Media: Journalists and reporters from various news outlets who cover the event and provide analysis.
• Guests and VIPs: Distinguished guests invited by the party, including celebrities, activists, and prominent supporters.
• Volunteers and staff: Individuals who assist in organizing and managing the convention.
• Observers and members of the public: Limited numbers of tickets are often available for members of the public who wish to observe the proceedings. There has been no word from DNC officials so far on if tickets will be available to the public this year.

Who will speak?

Monday: 

• President Joe Biden
• Dr. Jill Biden
• Brandon Johnson

Tuesday:

• J.B. Pritzker
• Former President Barack Obama

Wednesday: 

• Gov. Tim Walz

Thursday:

• Vice President Kamala Harris

Other speakers include Hillary and Bill Clinton, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jefferies will all address the party at the convention. 

What will security be like at the DNC?

A formal plan for security perimeters around the United Center and McCormick Place was announced in late July by the U.S. Secret Service and Chicago police.

The Secret Service will provide security inside the perimeters of both locations. There will be vehicle screening perimeters and pedestrian-restricted perimeters, which the Secret Service described as:

Vehicle Screening Perimeter: Residences and businesses inside the Vehicle Screening Perimeter will be accessible to the public. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to freely enter the Vehicle Screening Perimeter from any area. Vehicles will be permitted to enter the Vehicle Screening Perimeter, though they must enter through a vehicle screening point, which are marked with checkmarks on the map. Rideshare/taxi drop-off and hot food delivery will be permitted in the Vehicle Screening Perimeter; drivers will just need to enter through a vehicle screening point.

Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter: The Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter will be accessible only to credentialed or ticketed individuals, such as convention attendees or volunteers. Pedestrians must enter through one of the pedestrian checkpoints, which will be marked on an attendee-specific map distributed to credentialed individuals. Personal vehicles, as well as bicycles and small scooters, will not be permitted inside the Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter. Rideshare/taxi drop-off and hot food delivery will not be permitted in the Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter. 

Everything outside the security perimeters, will be covered by the Chicago Police Department and a collection of out-of-town officers.

According to the department, 2,500 officers are receiving 48 hours of updated training for the convention.

Every day, they will all go through inspections where they must show their star number and name at all times and a supervisor reviews their uniform. That's to prevent the use of force.

CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling said his department is prepared for that and to handle crime elsewhere.

"We want to make sure that every neighborhood has a police force that can respond to crime and criminal activity that's occurring in their neighborhood, especially that of a violent nature," Snelling said.

Snelling said arrests and use of force will happen, but only as a last resort.

Secret Service officials said there will be portable surveillance equipment around the United Center in areas where there are no Shotspotter cameras.

What and where are the DNC security perimeters?

Multi-layered security perimeters that span several blocks will be set up around both the United Center and McCormick Place. Security restrictions will go into effect outside McCormick Place at 10 p.m. on Aug. 16, and security will be enforced outside the United Center at 7 p.m. on Aug. 17.

All cars heading inside the DNC vehicle screening perimeters will be required to go through vehicle screening points, including ride-shares, taxis and food deliverers. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to freely enter the Vehicle Screening Perimeter from any area.

The Pedestrian Restricted Perimeter will be accessible only to credentialed or ticketed individuals, such as convention attendees or volunteers. Pedestrians must enter through one of the pedestrian checkpoints, which will be marked on an attendee-specific map distributed to credentialed individuals.

United Center road 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 Horner 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

McCormick Place road closures

• Indiana Avenue from 18th to E. 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 Rd. to 25th Street.
• E 21st Street closed from, and inclusive of, S. Michigan Avenue to S. Calumet Avenue.
• E 21st St is open from west of S Michigan Avenue to inclusive of S Wabash Avenue and E 21st

How will crime across the rest of Chicago be handled?

In an exclusive interview with FOX 32's political reporter Paris Schutz, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling discussed the city's security strategy, emphasizing the goal of keeping the entire city safe, not just the areas around the United Center or downtown.

Snelling explained that CPD will be supplemented by out-of-town police officers, who will primarily serve security roles. This approach is designed to allow local officers to respond to incidents citywide while avoiding potential conflicts involving visiting officers.

"We will have them in locations where it won't be necessary for them to take police action in our city—they'll be serving more of a security purpose. That doesn’t mean they won’t have police powers. However, that will free up our Chicago police members to respond to anything that's happening across the city. So, I just believe it's a safer way of making sure our mutual aid partners are not put in a position that's compromising to them or it compromises the city," Snelling said.

The decision to involve out-of-town officers comes amid controversy, as a similar approach at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee resulted in an out-of-town officer fatally shooting a Milwaukee resident. Snelling's plan aims to avoid such confrontations by clearly defining the roles of visiting officers.

The superintendent also addressed concerns about having enough resources to patrol Chicago's 77 neighborhoods, especially during a summer weekend typically marked by increased violence. To manage this, the plan involves significant overtime and canceled days off for officers, highlighting the need to prioritize officer mental health.

"Each district has a wellness plan in place for our officers as they work these extended hours. But we also have planning for each district just in case there's the possibility that civil unrest could unfold. So each district and each district commander has submitted a plan," Snelling said.

What are the rules for protesters outside the DNC?

Chicago's top cop Larry Snelling had a direct message to those who plan to protest outside the Democratic National Convention in August: the First Amendment only protects you if you don’t break the law.

"Peaceful protest does not necessarily mean that someone is exercising their First Amendment rights," Snelling said at a joint Press Conference with US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle. "First Amendment protection is only there if you’re not committing a crime. You can be acting out peacefully and still breaking the law. If you sit in a roadway, or you’re blocking a venue, or private property and you refuse to leave, those are crimes."

Already, 65-plus organizations in Chicago and elsewhere have formed a coalition to "March on the DNC" when it opens there on Aug. 19. Activists have sued in federal court, alleging First Amendment violations because the city has only offered permits for demonstrations miles from the United Center.

Protesters preparing for the convention have vowed to march on it anyway, raising the specter of clashes with police that could further divide the Democratic base. 

What is a delegate?

Delegates are generally divided into two main categories: pledged and unpledged, also known as superdelegates.

Pledged delegates are elected or selected at the state or local level and are committed to support a specific candidate based on the results of the primaries elections and caucuses. These delegates include:

• District-level delegates: Elected by voters in congressional districts.
• At-large delegates: Elected statewide.
• Pledged party leader and elected official (PLEO) delegates: Includes local and state elected officials and leaders within the party.

Unpledged delegates, or superdelegates, are not bound by the primary or caucus results and can vote for any candidate. They include:

• Members of the Democratic National Committee (DNC): Party officials from each state and territory.
• Democratic members of Congress: Senators and Representatives.
• Democratic governors.
• Distinguished party leaders: Such as former presidents, vice presidents, congressional leaders, and DNC chairs.

What happened at Chicago's notorious 1968 Democratic National Convention?

In 1968, 10,000-plus protesters opposing the Vietnam War and assorted other causes held huge demonstrations near the convention site, the International Amphitheatre in Canaryville, and throughout Chicago. 

Police and National Guardsmen responded with force, prompting clashes that are better remembered than the presidential nomination of Hubert Humphrey, who lost to Richard Nixon that fall.

"This will not be 1968," Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said in June. "[O]ur officers are being trained in the best way possible to respond to any level of civil unrest."

FOX News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.