Chicago DNC 2024 security fences coming down, streets reopening as officials celebrate success

Chicago leaders are celebrating a successful four-day Democratic National Convention as the city starts dismantling the security measures around the United Center and McCormick Place.

Officials including Mayor Brandon Johnson have moved just as fast to declare the convention a success and that Chicago's global image is in very good shape.

"As far as the world is concerned, yeah, look, I think it's pretty clear. People fell back in love with Chicago. They fell back in love with Chicago. I keep telling you this is the great love story," Johnson said Friday.

Fifty-thousand people came to Chicago for the DNC, truly putting the city's reputation on the line. The fact that the convention went off so smoothly, without any significant issues, thrilled organizers and officials.

Chicago leaders celebrated a successful 2024 DNC Friday as the work of dismantling the security apparatus around the United Center and McCormick Place got underway.

After making history, Vice President Kamala Harris is on her way back to Washington.

She spent another night in Chicago Thursday, but boarded Air Force Two with her husband Friday afternoon.

Harris accepted the nomination Thursday night at the Democratic National Convention at Chicago's United Center.

After making history, Vice President Kamala Harris is on her way back to Washington.

She's the first woman of color to be a major party's nominee.

She called on the nation to chart a new path forward.

Now, Harris has a little more than two weeks to prepare for a debate against former President Trump.

That's set for Sept. 10, hosted by ABC.

Crews began to dismantle the fences and barricades around the United Center and McCormick Place early Friday now that the Chicago Democratic National Convention has ended.

Full security perimeter reopening timeline:

McCormick Place: (all times subject to change)

Thursday, August 22

6 p.m. Perimeter take-down set to begin.

Friday, August 23

3 p.m. All major intersections cleared. I-55 off-ramp will be open.

Sunday, August 25

6 a.m. - Cermak from Michigan to Indiana will be clear.

8 a.m. - All area open and 75% of assets cleared off curbs.

Monday, August 26

6 a.m. - 100% of assets removed - area completely reopened.

United Center perimeter reopening timeline (all times subject to change)

Friday, August 23

1 a.m. - Takedown to begin (subject to change)

Saturday, August 24

Noon - Damen, Wood, and Adams open (if possible)

Most major intersections cleared for traffic.

Sunday, August 25

11:59 p.m. - All areas open & 75% of assets cleared off curbs

Monday, August 26

11:59 p.m. - All assets removed, reopen complete.

Crews will begin to dismantle the fences and barricades around the United Center early Friday now that the Chicago Democratic National Convention has ended.

The dismantling of the security perimeter will begin at 1 a.m. Friday, OEMC officials said. The exact takedown timeline is subject to change.

Officials hope to open most of the major intersections near the United Center by noon Saturday.

All areas are expected to be opened by the end of the day on Sunday, and all DNC assets on the West Side are expected to be removed by the end of the day on Monday.

A full guide on DNC street closures can be found here.