Here’s what you need to know about the Democratic National Convention

CHICAGO — The Democratic National Convention begins Monday as delegates gather to officially nominate Vice President Kamala Harris as their presidential candidate.

Democrats have had a whirlwind few weeks since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, paving the way for Harris to become the first black and Asian American woman on a party leadership ticket.

All eyes will also be on Chicago, which looks to wrap up the event without a hitch, building on the success of the 1996 Democratic convention and continuing to shake off the historic images of the 1968 DNC standoff.

Here’s what you need to know.

What to expect at the Democratic National Convention?

Traditionally, party leaders meet every four years to nominate the person they want to head the presidential ticket in November. Republicans held their convention last month in Milwaukee.

There are a few non-traditional things about this year’s DNC, however.

Typically, the nominee emerged victorious in primary elections across the country in the spring and summer. This year is different for Democrats, as Biden dropped out of the race in July.

Harris has already been nominated in an online roll call of delegates to be the Democratic nominee, so there will not be an official, formal vote to nominate her at the convention.

Instead, there will be a ceremonial roll call, speeches from party and emerging leaders and an introduction by Harris’ recently announced running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. There will be a televised rally to build on Harris’ fundraising and polling momentum over the past month.

Who will be there and what is the schedule of events?

Almost all the big-name Democratic Party officials will be joined by thousands of delegates and other supporters and volunteers, along with thousands of members of the media, at the main venues: McCormick Place, south of the Loop, and the United Center on the Near West Side. In addition, organizers predict thousands of protesters will take to the streets to draw attention to issues including the war in Gaza.

There are also likely to be some top celebrity sightings at the convention venues and around town. Billie Eilish and Julia Louis-Dreyfus attended the last Democratic National Convention, which was mostly virtual due to the pandemic.

Overall, the DNC estimates about 50,000 visitors will come to Chicago for the convention.

Much of the program, including the list of speakers, has yet to be announced, although Pritzker and former President Barack Obama are among those thought to have prominent spots.

Harris is expected to give the convention’s final address on Thursday, and Walz is expected to speak on Wednesday.

How does Texas enter the DNC in Chicago?

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Along with the logistics of the convention itself, the city is bracing for the possibility that thousands of migrants could arrive from the southern border, sent by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others.

Police Superintendent Larry Snelling emphasized that the department has undergone rigorous training in both crowd control and First Amendment issues.

What is the plan for the DNC protests?

Chicago proposed that many protesters march west from Union Park, past a small park north of the United Center, and then east back to Union Park. Officials announced the route after a coalition of pro-Palestinian protest groups sued to prevent the city from confining its protesters to a two-block strip of Grant Park away from the United Center.

U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood ruled that she would not force the City to widen and extend the authorized route, as some protesters had sought.

Park no. 578, north of the United Center, will also serve as a “free speech zone,” said Glen Brooks, director of community policing for the Chicago Police Department.

How to watch the Democratic National Convention

Cable news channels, including CNN and MSNBC, will likely carry much of the top-rated prime-time programming live. The DNC will air its own feed on social media and its website, DemConvention.com, as well as Amazon Prime Video. Major networks are expected to provide prime-time coverage. Events will also be available via streaming services.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert plans to broadcast from Chicago’s Auditorium Theater throughout DNC ​​week — suggesting the former Emmy-winning comedian, former Chicago-based comedian and Northwestern University graduate plans to host guests from the United Center on his nightly show.

Comedy Central’s The daily show will also broadcast from Chicago during the convention, including a live broadcast on August 22.

How many political conventions has Chicago hosted?

Chicago has hosted 25 major national party conventions, 14 for Republicans and 11 for Democrats, since 1860, when Abraham Lincoln was the Republican nominee, according to the Chicago History Museum. That’s the most of any U.S. city, with second-place Baltimore hosting 10.

By Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune (Tribune News Service)