CHICAGO (WLS) -- After four days of viral speeches, surprise guests, protests, street closures and security measures culminating in the nomination of Kamala Harris for president, the 2024 Democratic National Convention is over.
Chicago officials are celebrating a job well done. Thousands of protesters expressed their opinions peacefully and Chicago police made less than 100 arrests over four days.
Starting early Friday morning, the security barriers were being dismantled and streets were reopening. All areas around the United Center and McCormick Place will be open again by Monday, August 26.
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:
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.
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.
Chicago police said they are assessing their security plans, following Monday's breach.
Protestors breached the fencing along Washington Boulevard, Chicago police broke out the riot gear and swarmed the frenzied scene.
Police said they will share an update at a a media briefing on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
Tuesday morning, crews appeared to be adding additional fencing where the area was breached, with a second line of fencing behind the original barriers.
Just as delegates were arriving here at the United Center Monday, some protesters breached the outer security fence.
Video shows whole sections of snap-together iron fencing taken down and in some cases dragged away by protesters.
READ MORE | Crews add new fencing around United Center after breach during DNC protest
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama are returning to the city they once called home to take the stage in support of Harris' nomination.
The Obamas are expected to headline the convention's second night, a day after the unofficial farewell for Biden, who served eight years as Obama's vice president. Biden won't be in the hall to see his former running mate speak, having departed Chicago after his own speech.
According to the Harris campaign, Michelle Obama is expected to argue how Harris' experiences and values make her qualified to serve as president. Her husband, Harris campaign officials said, will focus on what Democrats need to do in order to defeat Trump in the general election.
In addition to the Obamas, Harris' husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is also scheduled to give his speech on Tuesday night. Emhoff, the nation's first second gentleman, would also be the first man to be first gentleman if Harris is elected president.
Also on the schedule is Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a potential future presidential hopeful whose name for a time was mentioned as a possible running mate for Harris.
The Illinois delegation has a plum spot on the main convention floor at the United Center, seated just behind Harris' home state of California.
They were on their feet most of the night for President Biden's address, as much of the conversation on the convention floor centered on his legacy.
"When America was perhaps at its most vulnerable point, he brought us back, and we invested in the essential things that will keep our country running for many years," said U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.
"I think he's the epitome of leadership. This is, this is what continuity looks like. This is what passing the torch is. This is ensuring the future of our country," said 11th Ward Ald. Nicoe Lee.
"He gets to take a bow and be remembered as the president who saved our democracy," said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley.
Chicago was chosen to host the convention in part because party leaders see this as a city and state where Democrats have delivered.
"How do you balance budgets? How do you pay down debts? How do you stimulate the economy and grow jobs? We're doing it here in this microcosm of Illinois, and the Democrats are going to do it nationally," said Comptroller Susana Mendoza.
