* ABC Chicago…

Monday marks one week until the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Parking restrictions went effect Monday morning. Neighbors will start to see fencing and other security measures going up as well.

At around 8 a.m., forklifts came in and dropped off fencing materials. […]

Monday begins build out for the convention at the United Center and McCormick Place.

Click here for the United Center and McCormick Place security perimeters.

* Sun-Times Audience Engagement Specialist…

okay NEW BIG THING from the @suntimes and me:

We're launching a text alerts service for the DNC. I'll be texting you about protests, cops, traffic, politics and more. If you've ever wanted my number — now is your chance. pic.twitter.com/ahOmCaEwwe

— ellery jones (@elleryrjones) August 12, 2024

Click here to sign up.

* Tribune…

Metra will run hourly shuttles between O’Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago for much of August, as the city prepares for the Democratic National Convention to bring tens of thousands of expected visitors, many of whom will be flying into the major hub.

The boost in service is the latest way the city’s transportation agencies and companies are preparing to move the influx of politicians and visitors to and around the city. Hometown airline United Airlines is adding 118 flights to and from Chicago in August. And the CTA has committed to provide up to 250 of its buses to transport convention participants as part of a “secured transit system,” despite concerns about the agency’s ability to provide reliable regular bus service.

The Metra shuttles mark a dramatic increase in the rail agency’s typical service to its station near O’Hare’s rental car facility, reachable from the terminals via the “people mover” train. The agency usually runs six North Central Service trains between Chicago and O’Hare on weekdays, and none on weekends.

But between Aug. 12 and 30, trains will run every hour on both weekdays and weekends, in addition to the six regular trains. The shuttles will make two stops in addition to Chicago Union Station and O’Hare, with the last shuttle leaving O’Hare around 10:45 p.m.

Um…

Metra’s first-ever Union Station-O’Hare Transfer shuttle train was late by the way https://t.co/0GLrIGY686

— Star:Line Chicago (@StarLineChicago) August 12, 2024

* More…

* Block Club | A Locals’ Guide To Getting Around During The Democratic National Convention: Residents who live inside the pedestrian-restricted areas will be required to show a government-issued identification card with their correct address to access their homes. Those who do not have a government-issued ID card or one with a matching home address should sign up for a CityKey, according to the City Clerk’s Office.

* WTTW | What We Know About Chicago’s DNC Safety and Security Plans: According to police officials, the 2,500 CPD officers who will be assigned to DNC duties will receive 48 hours of training beforehand. The department is also planning to cancel officers’ days off during the DNC as police will be working extended hours during the convention.

* Tribune | DNC cleanup aims to improve Chicago beyond the convention, but also echo 1996 efforts: Much of the most noticeable work being done is within the several square miles bordered by Lake Michigan on the east, the United Center on the west, the Gold Coast on the north and McCormick Place on the south. Indeed, on Friday, crews were cutting the grass, whacking weeds and trimming trees in the shadow of the United Center by the corner of Wood and Monroe streets. The last time Chicago hosted a political convention, the Democrats in 1996, the city’s showing was widely credited with improving Chicago’s national image. Still, then-Mayor Richard M. Daley bristled at the criticism that he cleaned up just enough of the city to make convention delegates comfortable but turned his back on immediate needs outside the zone where the out-of-towners would be.

* ABC Chicago | Some Chicago residents frustrated with DNC preparations as parking restrictions set to begin: There are some businesses near the United Center that are actually benefiting from the security perimeter. That includes a taco shop on Wood Street, right outside of the perimeter. They are preparing for an uptick in business. “We’re very excited because this has never happened before here,” Su Taqueria El Rey Del Taco employee Ashley Franco said. “We’re gonna also have a lot more workers at that time, and we’re gonna set up a taco stand out here so people can come in and out very quickly.”

* Sun-Times | ‘Misunderstood’ Gen Z voters fight cynicism, gear up for DNC VoteFest: “Being a part of the excitement around the political process is exciting to young folks, which feels like it’s counter to the stereotype of young people being disengaged, not caring,” said Purvi Patel, the IOP’s director of civic engagement. “When you actually are talking to young people, they have a lot of desire to be engaged in the process. They have a lot of opinions, and they want their voice to be heard.”

* Sun-Times | DNC protests planned over Gaza, other causes as one organizer says, ‘People feel betrayed by the Democratic Party’: Protesters are expected to hit the streets on the first, third and last day of the convention — Aug. 19. Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 — marking the kickoff and the acceptance speeches of both Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate, and Harris. The largest of the planned demonstrations, the March on the DNC, are scheduled to start at noon Aug. 19 and 5 p.m. Aug. 22 with rallies at Union Park on the Near West Side. Speakers from community organizations will take turns on the mic, and organizers aim to book a few noteworthy politicians and celebrities, after which those gathered will march to the vicinity of the United Center, where the DNC main events will be held.