1 of 7 | Preparations for next week’s 2024 Democratic National Convention continued at Chicago’s United Center on Saturday. City officials hope the week-long event will have an economic impact of more than $100 million. Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 17 (UPI) — Despite extensive security precautions and traffic restrictions, Chicago’s tourism industry is aiming to capitalize to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars during next week’s Democratic National Convention. City officials say the event is expected to attract more than 50,000 attendees, including 5,000 members of the media, 5,000 delegates and alternates, and other visitors. Advertisement
The DNC’s event schedule concentrates on two venues — the United Center, a 20,000-seat sports arena on the city’s near West Side, and McCormick Place, a sprawling event center along Lake Michigan south of the central business district known as The Loop.
Night-time events, including major speeches, will take place at the United Center. Events at McCormick Place, including briefing and speeches by some politicians, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Security perimeters will be erected around the two sites beginning Sunday. Fifteen-foot buffers around the entire security perimeters of the United Center and McCormick Place will be in place until 12:01 a.m. CDT on Aug. 26, according to the Chicago Police Department.
There’s a long list of prohibited items inside those perimeters, of course including weapons, but also laptops, tripods, selfie sticks, large bags, suitcases exceeding size restrictions, sealed packages, drones, cigarettes, animals other than service dogs. bicycles, scooters, folding chairs, balloons, coolers, and many others.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, full street closures were instituted late Friday around McCormick Place and on Saturday at the United Center.
The likelihood of large-scale demonstrations spreading beyond officially designated
Chicago hopes DNC will provide millions in tourism revenue despite tight security
- Advertisment - 