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

DNC or not, Chicago police are in charge of protecting residents, protesters, property, businesses and neighborhoods.

There will be some backup from departments outside Chicago, including Milwaukee, where the Republican National Convention was held, but law enforcement officials told the I-Team there are not many outside police, and that CPD is on 12-hour shifts to cover the Democratic National Convention and regular community beats.

The Secret Service and police are working to protect 2024 DNC locations, delegates, city residents and participants in Chicago protests this week.

The U.S. Secret Service is in charge of securing convention venues, delegates, party officials and candidates, employing hundreds of federal officers from specialized teams at other agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' bomb-detecting canine units and explosives technicians on standby.

Protesters have gathered in downtown Chicago Sunday afternoon ahead of the Democratic National Convention.

The protest was set to begin at 5 p.m. near Michigan and Wacker. Chopper 7 was over the scene, and demonstrators could still be seen gathered at the intersection around 5:20 p.m.

The permitted protest will take demonstrators from Michigan to the Logan Statue by East 9th Street into Grant Park. The demonstration will be about 1.5 miles from their starting point.

The protest is called the March for Bodies Outside Unjust Laws. Demonstrators said they are protesting the Democratic Party's failure to live up to its rhetoric in favor of reproductive and LGBTQ rights. They plan to rally along with those calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza.

March for Bodies Outside Unjust Laws will walk from Michigan Avenue to the Logan Statue by East 9th Street into Grant Park for the DNC on Sunday.

Traffic is being impacted around the United Center on Sunday afternoon as convention workers and attendees make their way to the venue.

Traffic is moving slowing from the Eisenhower Expressway ramps on the Near West Side to between South Damen Avenue and South Paulina Street.

Drivers should expect delays on Sunday and throughout the week.

The Democratic National Convention begins tomorrow, and the big event is set to put the City of Chicago into the national spotlight.

The University of Chicago's E.J. Fagan and ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington joined ABC7's Mark Rivera Sunday morning for a special edition of Our Chicago.

They broke down how the DNC will impact the city and what people can expect to see at the convention.

Chicago is preparing to step into the national spotlight during the DNC. UIC's E.J. Fagan and ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington previewed the big week ahead.