Local Democratic officials are once again raising their hand for Chicago to host the Democratic National Convention in either 2028 or 2032 — a move that could give Gov. JB Pritzker a boost as he explores a presidential run.
The Chicago 2024 Host Committee has expressed interest to the Democratic National Committee about hosting one of the next two conventions, according to a source with direct knowledge of the bid. The DNC had asked cities about their interest as they switch to planning two consecutive conventions.
The Democratic National Committee is having initial conversations with interested cities in the next several weeks and will once again conduct site visits. Pritzker and his top aides, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot helped secure the 2024 bid. A 2028 Chicago convention could help Pritzker's nomination prospects in what is expected to be a crowded field of primary presidential challengers.
Those who were part of the Chicago bid said they'll show that the Democratic city already has a "turnkey operation here."
"We are one of the few cities in the history of the DNC to go into the green, to raise more money than we needed to pay," the source said. "A lot of other cities have gone into debt. So that benefits the city... The mayor bought a helicopter and did some other stuff for the city with that $70 million. So we're pretty proud of the way that it went off."
The Bell 429 twin-engine helicopter, which can cruise at 174 mph, was bought with some of the $75 million in federal security funding given to the city ahead of the Democratic National Convention by the Justice Department. The city also bought two Bell 407 single-engine helicopters, bringing the cost of all three to $22.8 million.
Of the $83 million reported in expenditures by the host committee, Development Now for Chicago, a total of $49 million was paid to Chicago-based businesses. Another $7 million went to firms based elsewhere in Illinois. The committee was funded by contributions mainly from individuals, including Pritzker and members of his family, labor unions, companies and Democratic political groups.
The host committee for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago raised $97 million in cash — with Pritzker and his relatives, unions and Democratic groups among the biggest donors, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Boston, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Denver are among the other Democratic cities likely to express interest in the conventions.
Crain's Chicago Business was the first to report the latest bid.
