Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Gov. JB Pritzker on the 94th floor of the former Hancock Center, along with the DNC host committee.
"In 2024, Chicago set the standard for political conventions," Pritzker said in a statement. "Since then, in the face of Donald Trump's attempts to tear our city apart, we have shown the country our resilience and grit. There's no place better than Chicago to make clear that the Democratic Party knows how to fight and deliver for the American people."
For the last several days, committee members have been touring the city to see what's changed since Chicago hosted the 2024 convention.
They visited the upcoming Obama Presidential Center and United Center as part of their trip.
"Throughout our history, Chicagoans have shown the world what our country can be at its very best. Chicago truly represents the soul of America. Here in Chicago, we have a rainbow coalition of incredibly gifted, talented Democrats who have come together across our neighborhoods, generations and even ideologies, to stand up for our rights to make our city a better place every single day," Johnson said. "We are pleased to welcome you back after our successful 2024 convention, and we hope to once again show the nation the energy, hospitality and spirit that only Chicago can provide."
Democratic National Committee members wrapped up their three-day visit to Chicago with an architecture tour on the river, calling Chicago a city with grit.
The DNC chairman emphasized the importance of Midwestern values to represent the Democratic Party.
Illinois Democrats believe what can seal the deal to host another Democratic convention is the last convention.
"What I would argue is the most successful Democratic convention in our party's history, which was held here in Chicago in 2024," DNC Chairman Ken Martin said.
As he wrapped up his site visit to Chicago, Martin praised Chicago for pulling off a big success in 2024: one that generated $371 million in total economic impact.
"It put money in our workers' pockets, and we paid it all with private contributions," Pritzker said.
And it was a convention that broke even, as it did in 1996. While Pritzker is not ruling out the possibly of future conventions going into debt, his own contributions can help avoid that.
"I'm sure I would contribute; I don't know what that amount will be," the governor said.
Another generous donor will be Michael Sacks, a friend of the governor's and of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Sacks is also a frequent target of Mayor Johnson's.
"I would just say he's a good civic leader in the city of Chicago who's tried his whole career to support things that really matter to working people, and he's a Democrat," Pritzker said.
Chicago has hosted more Democratic and Republican conventions than any other city, and it is the only city to host back-to-back conventions three times.
Gone are the days of looking for a swing state location. The DNC says transportation, hotel capacity, restaurants, big donors and a city that represents Democratic Party values are important: so is strong union support. Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter spent the last three days hosting DNC members.
"I think Chicago is a great representative of where the party is at, and we are also the hometown of the modern convention," Reiter said.
In all, there are five cities bidding for the DNC, including Boston, Denver, Atlanta and Philadelphia.
The committee still has to tour Boston.
Martin would not say when the committee plans to make a decision. But there is a good chance when they do, the announcement will include locations for 2028 and 2032.