Chicago considers making bid for 2024 Democratic National Convention
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago is considering issuing a bid for the Democratic National Convention in 2024, a strategist said Wednesday.
Tarrah Cooper Wright, Communications Strategist and Chief Executive Officer of Rise Strategy Group, who is supporting the potential bid, released the following statement:
"As the DNC begins planning for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Chicago is considering a bid to be host city. From previous Democratic Conventions to the NATO Summit and annual large-scale events like the Air & Water Show, Chicago has a track record of successfully hosting large-scale events, and has the leadership required to make a convention a success. Our city and state—a vibrant and diverse metropolis, thriving suburbs and strong rural communities—offer proof that our party's policies deliver for American families, and a convention would provide a boost to the local economy. Given the potential for Chicago to be an ideal host, we have agreed to explore this possibility and will make a decision in the near future."
Chicago last hosted the Democratic National Convention in 1996. President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were renominated at the convention, which was held at the United Center.
President Clinton arrived in Chicago in a Marine helicopter that landed on a University of Illinois at Chicago baseball diamond, and Mayor Richard M. Daley was there to greet him and the first family. A crowd of supporters joined them.
By the last night of the three-day convention, President Clinton had high praise for Chicago – the native hometown of First Lady and future U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"I love Chicago for many reasons – for your powerful spirit, your sports teams, your lively politics – but most of all, for the love and light my life, Chicago's daughter, Hillary," Mr. Clinton said in his acceptance speech that night.
Mayor Daley and other city leaders considered the 1996 convention a success.
"Oh, it was absolutely an incredible Convention," said Delmarie Cobb, who was the first African American press secretary for the DNC in 1996. "Needless to say, all eyes were on Chicago to see if the city could make amends, and for what had happened in 1968."
The 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was epoch-defining and to many, horrifying. Unrest broke out amid protests in Grant Park in what attorney Dan Walker called a police riot, but still, eight activists went on trial on accusations of inciting a riot.
Tension also boiled over on the convention floor at the International Amphitheatre, which stood until 1999 at 4220 S. Halsted St. CBS News correspondent Dan Rather was roughed up by security guards at the convention, while Mayor Daley Sr. told CBS Evening News anchor Walter Cronkite that police officers were being attacked in the streets.
But in the CBS News press box at the Amphitheatre, Cronkite noted to Mayor Daley Sr. that dozens of news people had been injured.
"It was truly brutal. People were beaten. Journalists were beaten by the police," said UIC Political Science Professor and former alderman Dick Simpson. "It was legitimately called a police riot."
Simpson attended the 1968 convention. He was the state campaign manager for Eugene McCarthy.
He says Chicago is ready for another convention.
"I think by 2024, we're ready to showcase the city and how we have changed and transformed over the decades," Simpson said.
Bu with all Chicago has to offer, the political pros we spoke to say Chicago's crime problem and troubled reputation around the country will be a hurdle if the convention is to land in Chicago.
"I do think we have to solve the crime problem before 2024 - just for the city even - whether or not we get the convention," Simpson said.
"Any kind of large event like this is going to be massively secured," Cobb added. "There's probably very few cities that can put on a party like Chicago."
Hubert Humphrey was nominated for president and Edmund Muskie for vice president at the 1968 convention.
Chicago also hosted the Republican National Convention in 1960, the Democratic National Convention in 1956, and both the Democratic and Republican conventions in 1952 and 1944 – among other conventions going back to the 1860 Republican National Convention at which Abraham Lincoln was nominated.