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

Protesters are beginning to march through the Loop Sunday evening.

The group had gathered at Michigan and Wacker and are now heading to Grant Park.

Protesters are beginning to march through the Loop Sunday night, heading to Grant Park on the eve of the 2024 Chicago DNC.

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.

It is the first of two permitted demonstrations.

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.

It has been more than a year of buildup, and the Democratic National Convention is now less than 24 hours away from officially getting started.

But on Sunday, delegates are arriving in Chicago for a number of parties on DNC Eve.

The United Center is all decked out for the DNC as Chicago takes center stage in the political world from Sunday through Thursday night.

Security around the city is tight, but city and state leaders say Chicago is ready.

A gathering at Rainbow Push headquarters to honor the Rev. Jesse Jackson got underway at about 6 p.m.

The reverend will will take the DNC stage with his son, Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson by his side, on Monday, a spokesperson said. Jackson also spoke at the DNC in 1984.

The event is all part of the DNC kickoff celebrations taking place in many places in Chicago on Sunday night as the Democratic leaders look to ramp up the excitement for the convention and the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris for president.

The United Center is all decked out for the DNC as Chicago takes center stage in the political world from now through Thursday night.

"So, I'm very pleased with all the coordination, the planning that's been done for almost a year and a half now to make sure that this can be a safe and secure convention," said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.

The stage is set not only for the nomination of Harris as the Democratic nominee for president, but also for Chicago to showcase itself to the world and the 50,000 delegates, guests and journalists who are here for the DNC.

"I want them to experience and see the soul of Chicago, one of the most diverse places in America, but also want them to recognize that this is the best place to do business," said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Liz Shuler, the president of the AFL-CIO will be speaking to delegates Monday night during the convention to highlight the importance of labor's relationship with the Democratic Party.

Chicago being such a big union town was one of the reason the convention is being held here.

Shuler plans to talk about the starkly different choices the election presents for workers.

"People are really starting to pay attention to this election and they're seeing themselves in it, where they know that the work of this administration that they've seen over the last three and a half years, investments in infrastructure, investments in good union jobs will continue if we elect Kamala Harris," Shuler said.

ABC7 got an inside look at the Joint Information Center, where nearly two dozen city, state and federal agencies are communicating around-the-clock during the Democratic National Convention.

The Secret Service is leading operations at the JIC, located inside the Office of Emergency Management and Communications building right down the street from the United Center.

The Secret Service is leading operations at the JIC, located inside the OEMC building right down the street from the United Center.

Media inquiries to different agencies will come right to this room, and it is also where agencies will work together to put out information if an unplanned situation begins unfolding.

Secret Service Public Affairs Specialist Joe Biesk said putting out accurate information is crucial.

"You know, it's really vital that we get accurate information out quickly to the public. Especially if there's a situation developing, we want there to be accurate information that the public gets," Biesk said.

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.