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

DNC organizers unveiling the stage and podium, as they prepare for next week.

We got our first look tonight at the DNC setup inside the United Center as organizers unveiled the stage and podium in preparation for next week's convention.

Concern over possible unrest during next week's Democratic National Convention has some business owners in Chicago's Loop taking precautions.

Boarded up windows and doors could be seen downtown Thursday.

"As we know, this city has a poor track record when it comes to protecting businesses," said Scott Shapiro, owner of Syd Jerome. "We felt it was more prudent to board up, since our customers and their employers have told them to stay home throughout the convention for their own safety."

That's why his downtown storefront at Syd Jerome on Clark Street is shielded by plywood, as thousands of protesters plan to descend on Chicago for the DNC.

His store was looted during civil unrest in 2020.

Concern over possible protests during the 2024 Chicago DNC, or Democratic National Convention, has some Loop businesses boarding up.

And back then, he didn't take down the plywood until more than a year later.

Now, it's back up in fear of history repeating itself.

Other downtown businesses are also taking precautions, like the Garland Building on North Wabash Avenue and Washington Street, which houses multiple office spaces, stores and restaurants. Chicago Board-Up Services has been quite busy.

Crews have already boarded up more than a dozen businesses, and received over 40 calls for work, mainly in the West Loop, downtown and around the Daley Center.

Many owners say their storefronts will remain boarded up until the convention is over, but are hoping they could take it down much sooner.

Before the Democratic Convention even started, the Chicago 2024 Host Committee wants to thank the thousands of volunteers who will be working the massive event.

Volunteers were invited to Wrigley Field for a rally Thursday night. They can stand on home plate, and take pictures with the Cubs' 2016 World Series trophy. Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton will also speak.

A federal judge is holding a hearing Thursday on the City of Chicago's decision on DNC protest restrictions.

Aldermen and activists representing a coalition of community groups set to march on the DNC next week gathered in front of City Hall Thursday morning and again Thursday afternoon, upset over the city's decision to deny them the ability to set up stages, a speaker system, portable toilets and other amenities at Union Park the Near West Side location where tens of thousands of protesters are expected to gather on Monday and then again on Thursday.

In a letter from CDOT to protest groups send Wednesday, the city approved their permit requests to rally at both Union Park and Park 578, which is just blocks from the United Center and within "sight and sound" of those gathered inside.

This latest point of disagreement stems from organizers desire to rally at both parks set along the route. So far, the city has only committed to installing a stage and sound system at Park 578.

In its letter, CDOT said allowing the Coalition to March on the DNC to install their own amenities at Union Park would infringe on the space needed by other groups wanting to rally there, adding that "the requested items present a public safety risk. For instance, tents or canopies can be used to conceal illicit activities."

There is an ongoing legal battle Thursday between the City of Chicago and the Coalition to March on the DNC and the US Palestinian Community Network.