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“Chicago is ready.”
That was the clear message from local and federal officials who spoke to local business leaders on Monday, July 29, as they discussed safety and logistics for the upcoming 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC).
As Chicago prepares to welcome an estimated 50,000 delegates and visitors for the DNC, which takes place August 19-22, officials have been working to balance security needs with the city’s regular operations.
This effort is especially important because of the DNC’s global reach, noted Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
“The DNC gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase everything our beautiful city has to offer,” Lavin said. “So it’s incumbent upon us to ensure we are providing the highest level of security, which will undoubtedly bring logistical challenges to business owners and citizens.”
To detail how the city will handle this massive event, the panel — made up of representatives from various city departments and federal agencies – spoke before a crowd of nearly 200 at the Union League Club at a Chamber-sponsored event. The group detailed how months of meticulous preparation have gone into planning for myriad possible scenarios.
A Permanent Legacy on the West Side
After his introduction, Lavin handed off the mic to City of Chicago Chief Operating Officer John Roberson, who outlined three key priorities for the event: ensuring a safe and secure convention, protecting First Amendment rights, and leaving a positive legacy for the city.
One significant project he highlighted was an $80 million investment in a new Damen ‘L’ station along the CTA’s Green Line, which fills a 1.5-mile gap between the Ashland and California stops.
The new station will be located near the United Center and represents more than just a place for people to get on the train, Roberson explained: “The residents of the West Side will now have greater accessibility to the ecosystem that is our city. They will have greater accessibility to jobs, educational opportunities, and amenities.”
Next up, Joel Heffernan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge with the United States Secret Service, said one of the primary challenges has been combatting the constant drumbeat of misinformation. For example, he noted that many people initially believed that wide swaths around the McCormick Place, the United, Center, and even Interstate 55 were going to be totally locked down before, during, and after the convention.
“Not true, not accurate,” he said, adding he has attended many community meetings to inform people the true boundaries of the effort. “We wanted to make sure we got the truth out, so then a part of this process became talking to people and mitigating as much misinformation as we possibly could.”
Glen Brooks, Director of Community Policing with the Chicago Police Department, echoed that the Office of Emergency Management & Communications has done a great deal of canvassing to increase the level of trust. “Unlike when I was growing up, people don’t get their information via TV news anymore,” Brooks said. “That’s why it’s crucial to go out and meet them and just give them information. That way, they have a face, they have a person, they have an agency that they can now refer back to. It delivers a higher level of credibility.”
Emphasizing Digital Awareness
Brooks — and then later another speaker, Kelly Carolan with the Federal Bureau of Investigation — repeatedly highlighted the app that the public can download at the OEMC website.
“As a messaging tool, we are really leveraging the OMC app — that is something that we’ve been building on, particularly since the 2020 civil unrest. And it has become a known quantity and platform,” Brooks said. “The app is one of our go-to places for information.”
Ivan Capifali, Acting Commissioner for the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), followed up and pointed out that his group has contacted nearly 900 businesses around the United Center and 500 near McCormick Place through in-person canvassing. He also announced an upcoming DNC Town Hall on August 7th, offering business owners within the security perimeter an opportunity to learn more about the event.
Carolan then began her talk by emphasizing the critical information available on the OEMC app. “We simply cannot push this enough,” she said, noting OEMC platforms also detail transportation information across Chicago. “If you look there right now, you’ll see that there is a list of road closures already identified for both McCormick Place and United Center.”
Carolan also said her department welcomes community input on dangers or suspicious activity.
“We can rely on — and we do rely on — the community to provide information to us,” she said, noting points of contact can be “your district, CPD officers, your business liaison officers, or other community resources.”
Staying Open for Business
The discussion concluded with assurances that essential services, including healthcare facilities within or near security perimeters, would remain accessible. Officials also stressed their commitment to minimizing disruptions while ensuring a safe and successful convention.
As Lavin said in his introduction, “The more people are here, the more businesses will flourish and show the world what a thriving, vibrant city we have.”
The message to businesses and residents is clear: be prepared, stay informed, and expect Chicago to showcase its ability to host a major political event while maintaining its status as a world-class city.
If you have questions, you can reach the Office of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection here.
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