The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday morning that Chicago will host the 2024 convention next August. Chicago beat out New York and Atlanta.
O’Dell Boyd lived in Chicago when the city last hosted a Democratic National Convention. in 1996. Now, she is “excited to show off our city” when it returns next year.
The South Loop resident said Chicago’s “amazing lakefront” and landscaping make the city “the best all-around” place to host the convention.
“I think it’s a good thing. Chicago is a wonderful place. We have everything to offer,” said Boyd.
The Democratic National Committee’s choice of Chicago for the August 2024 gathering was announced Tuesday, with Chicago beating out New York and Atlanta.
The convention, being held from Aug. 18-22, is expected to draw 5,000 to 7,000 delegates and about 50,000 visitors to Chicago, the Sun-Times previously reported. Aside from voting on a platform and other party matters, delegates main item of business will be officially nominating their presidential ticket.
Daytime meetings and events will take place at McCormick Place Convention Center in the South Loop, while the main events in the evenings, including the eventual acceptance speech by the party’s presidential nominee, will be held at the United Center on the Near West Side.
Far South Side residents Cesar Sanchez and his wife, Gail Sanchez, were eating at the Palace Grill near the United Center on Tuesday morning. They said they are glad the convention is coming to Chicago because of the business it will bring to the city.
“Anything that brings business to Chicago — whether it’s the Republican convention or the Democratic convention — it’s a good thing,” said Cesar Sanchez, a retired pipefitter.
Ella Tupkalo, who lives in the South Loop, was out enjoying a warm spring day in the neighborhood with her 1-year-old daughter Arielle when she got the news.
