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* Sun-Times…
The legal battle over the protest path during Chicago’s Democratic National Convention could continue into the final days before the big event after leaders of high-profile demonstrations promised to appeal a federal judge’s ruling in favor of City Hall.
U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood late Monday said she would not force the city to alter the path it offered to groups aiming to protest the Israel-Hamas war, finding that the city had satisfied the First Amendment while addressing significant security and safety concerns. […]
Coalition to March on the DNC spokesperson Hatem Abudayyeh promised Tuesday that an appeal would be forthcoming, though it had not appeared on the court docket that afternoon.
Abudayyeh could not say whether the protest groups would abide by Wood’s decision should it stand at the end of such an appeal. Rather, he said the protest groups would use their “considerable political power” over the next five and a half days to secure a more accommodating route.
“If we don’t, there will be a decision by the Coalition by then,” he said.
* ABC Chicago…
The next wave of parking restrictions for the Democratic National Convention began Wednesday morning.
Signs posted around the United Center say parking restrictions began at 8 a.m. through August 25. […]
An eight-foot-tall barricade fence was placed around the United Center and McCormick Place for a couple of blocks in each direction. […]
Authorities said they will start enforcing the security restrictions and the street closures on Friday night around McCormick Place and on Saturday night around the United Center.
* Tribune…
Residents are advised to download the OEMC Chicago app for the latest updates about disruptions around the United Center and McCormick Place.
Ivan Capifali, acting commissioner of Chicago’s Office of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, said nearly 1,400 businesses had been contacted in initial canvassing. Establishments closer to the venues had been canvassed again in the past few weeks, he said.
Along with logistics for the convention itself, Johnson has said the city is prepared for the possibility that thousands of migrants could arrive from the southern border, sent by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and others.
Police Superintendent Larry Snelling has stressed that the department has undergone rigorous training on both crowd control and First Amendment issues.
* WBEZ…
As thousands of journalists come to Chicago next week to cover the Democratic National Convention, many of their newsrooms will be forking over a large chunk of money to gain a certain level of access, internet speed, and even seating inside the United Center.
For an assigned chair at a table with access to an electrical outlet at the DNC, that will cost a newsroom $751. Missed the advance rate? That will now be $911. […]
In comparison, a similar setup at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee cost $100.
The cost of a potential work station at the DNC is a choose-your-own-adventure situation. It can range from hundreds for the most basic desk across the street (which, in full disclosure, is what WBEZ opted for) to tens of thousands of dollars for the television networks and newsrooms that have the resources. The fastest speed internet from AT&T will run you $9,368 for the week. The DNC is providing “numerous workspaces” that will be free, though on a first-come-first-serve basis for the 15,000 journalists expected to cover the event. It doesn’t cost anything to receive a credential and work without a dedicated space.
* Tribune…
Public transit riders will see a stepped-up police presence as Chicago prepares for the upcoming Democratic National Convention — but not some of the more stringent security measures that have characterized past political events in the city.
Along with extra officers on the CTA and at downtown Metra stations, there could be service disruptions on the Metra Electric line that runs near McCormick Place, one of the convention sites. But the CTA has no plans to boost the number of private, unarmed security guards it uses to patrol the system. And Metra expects to forgo the passenger screenings and prohibitions on bringing certain items aboard that the agency adopted in 2012, when a NATO summit brought global dignitaries and diplomats to the convention center. […]
At the CTA, where multiple train lines run blocks from the two convention sites and buses will have to be rerouted to bypass the security perimeters, police plan to increase their presence on buses, trains, platforms and around stations, Chicago police spokesman Tom Ahern said. They plan to focus on the central business district and trains running to and from the city’s two airports, which are expected to be used by arriving and departing visitors. […]
Metra, too, is eyeing an increased law enforcement presence at downtown stations. On the Electric line, which runs under McCormick Place, service could be disrupted for planned movements of people protected by the Secret Service, the agency said. Such disruptions can happen any time dignitaries under Secret Service protection cross routes with the railroad, the agency said.
* More…
* Crain’s | Chicago smashed its fundraising goal for the DNC. Here’s how: When Chicago beat out Atlanta, Houston and New York to host the Democratic National Convention, it meant having to raise more money than any city had ever come up with before for political convention. The host committee promised the Democratic National Committee it would come up with at least $84.7 million. Chicago topped that amount, raising about $95 million for the convention that begins Monday.
* CBS Chicago | Local agencies hold final meeting on plan to ensure Chicago DNC goes smoothly and safely: One final meeting of dozens of local agencies was held Tuesday, working to make it a smooth DNC, from the Chicago Transit Authority to the Department of Streets and Sanitation and the FBI. The agencies have been putting the final touches on plans to ensure business centers, waterways, and transportation assets remain safe in Chicago. They held a tabletop exercise on the subject Tuesday.
* Tribune | The DNC will flood downtown Chicago with visitors. But will employees go to their offices?: As companies make plans, farm machinery manufacturer Deere has advised employees in its Fulton Market office to work remotely “to avoid the traffic and congestion we anticipate during the convention,” the company confirmed. SVN plans to close its West Loop office. Health care marketing firm AbelsonTaylor, located in the Old Post Office building downtown, plans to keep its office open but is allowing employees the option to stay home on a day they are typically mandated to come in.
* Tribune | Some business owners and residents near United Center, home to upcoming DNC, want nearby migrant shelter moved: A group of business owners and residents near the United Center say that they’re being negatively impacted by the hundreds of migrants who are living at a nearby shelter and are demanding that the mayor move them. Roger Romanelli, executive director of the Fulton Market Association, told reporters at a news conference Tuesday that he believed everyone should be treated with respect and dignity under the law, but claimed that it’s “chaos and anarchy” at the shelter at 1640 W. Walnut St. He cited increased emergency calls to the shelter, fights in the street, garbage, drug usage and other concerns. […] To determine whether Chicago’s migrants are the dangerous threat some accuse them of being, a Tribune analysis looked at crime data at that shelter and others. The analysis showed migrant arrests are, in fact, up, but they’re rarely accused of violent felonies. Those who end up committing crimes typically steal out of desperation.
* WTTW | More Than 40 Student Journalists in Illinois Chosen to Cover Democratic National Convention: The Chicago 2024 Host Committee and the Illinois Journalism Education Association worked to identify student journalists across the state to join the Illinois Youth Press Corps, providing them with opportunities to cover the convention. Selected student journalists will be fully credentialed to attend the convention and report inside the United Center and McCormick Place.
* Hyde Park Herald | New athletic field in Woodlawn opens this week: Before the meeting concluded, [Christian Mitchell, the university’s vice president for civic engagement] told the audience to expect significant police activity near the Woodlawn dormitory, 1156 E. 61st St., during the Democratic National Convention next week. “The reason why is that CPD is using one of our facilities for outside law enforcement,” he said. “They’re going to be parking and then taking buses to the United Center on a daily basis.” Noting that the U. of C. does not have additional information to share, Mitchell added, “I just wanted to make sure that people knew this was happening.”
* Block Club | CTA Trains Getting ‘Moving Murals’ Designed By Local Artists: At least eight different murals will be wrapped onto Blue, Green and Orange line trains starting in mid-August, officials announced Monday. The murals celebrate themes of democracy, diversity, and Chicago’s rich cultural heritage. Chicago-based graphic designer and artist Bob Faust oversaw the project, called “Track(ed) Changes: Democracy runs through our neighborhoods.” Artists involved in the work include Brandon Breaux, Kristoffer McAfee, Noel Mercado, Carlos Rolón, Esperanza Rosas and youth artists from Urban Gateways.
* Sun-Times | Vice President Kamala Harris and her many Chicago ties: When Kamala Harris ran for president in 2019, her Illinois supporters were the best organized in the state. The ‘Illinois OG’s for Kamala’ will throw a champagne brunch Monday to help organize support for the Harris-Walz ticket.
* Tribune | How and when to watch the DNC, including all the streaming options: Primetime programs will be 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 19, then 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Aug. 20-22. Look for coverage on the major TV news networks, plus there will be an official livestream at DemConvention.com, available with English and Spanish language audio as well as ASL interpretation.
posted by Isabel Miller
Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 9:04 am
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=“considerable political power” =
I am not sure these folks have a good understanding of their “political power”.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 9:17 am
We are being advised to work from home during DNC week.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 9:30 am
$911 a bit too on the nose there.
Expensive tiered-access to get ‘closer’ to the action is just the perfect representation of stratification between commoners and elites.
Comment by mrp Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 9:34 am
==Abudayyeh could not say whether the protest groups would abide by Wood’s decision should it stand at the end of such an appeal==
If you refuse to abide by the rules then you what happens to you is what you deserve.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 9:46 am
Mrp-did you read the part that said, “It doesn’t cost anything to receive a credential and work without a dedicated space.”?
Comment by Heat of Summer Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 9:57 am
- If you refuse to abide by the rules then you what happens to you is what you deserve. -
Bull Connor couldn’t have said it better.
I certainly hope things are worked out amicably but the Democrats have brought this controversy on themselves, and the Biden administration could end it in a heartbeat.
Comment by Excitable Boy Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:40 am
US Dept of Energy’s radiation-sniffing helicopter is sniffing for radiation
https://planefinder.net/data/flight/N411DE/history/4-69243183
Comment by Dave Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:48 am
“and who will get blamed. The protesters or the cops by the liberals at the convention and the media.”
You’re feeling victimized by something that hasn’t happened. Probably time to turn off the screens and go for a walk.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:56 am
===You’re feeling victimized by something that hasn’t happened===
Everyone should tone it down a notch.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:57 am
JS Mill @ 9:17 am + 1
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:02 am
We have also been advised not to go to the campus unless absolutely necessary. I’m planning on bunkering down and not going into the city for the duration.
Comment by cermak_rd Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:33 am
my employer is requiring people to go into the office during the DNC and people are BIG MAD about it.
Comment by Anon today Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:42 am
I hope the protestors do not assume they have political cover that they do not in fact have, and everyone expresses their opinions peacefully. That is the most likely outcome, but there is a lot of worry about it.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:45 am
I agree with Three Dimensional Checkers
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:21 pm