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UNITED CENTER — Democratic officials received a behind-the-scenes tour of the United Center Tuesday ahead of their party’s national convention at the arena next year.
While officials received a VIP viewing, they downplayed questions about if the city’s burgeoning migrant crisis will overshadow the event’s festivities.
Over 13,500 people, primarily from Central and South America, have come to the city since August 2022, overloading the city’s shelter system. Many have been bussed or flown here from Republican-controlled states.
As buses continue to arrive, the city is now planning to establish tent cities to expand maxed-out shelter space and spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on the humanitarian crisis by the end of the year.
Citing a mayoral aide, the Sun-Times has reported the crisis could intensify as Republican governors try to embarrass the Democratic mayors closer to the convention.
But Carroll G. Robinson, chair of the Texas Democratic Party, said he does not expect the issue to be a distraction. The 2024 Democratic National Convention is set for Aug. 19-22.
“I’ve been going to the Democratic National Convention since 1984 … and immigration has always been an issue,” Robinson said. “If Republicans think immigration is the issue they can beat the Democratic Party on, maybe they don’t understand the people that make up America.”
Over 100 Democratic delegates — representing all 50 states and U.S. territories — are in Chicago this week to tour the convention’s grounds as a countdown clock on the United Center’s jumbotron ticked down.
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoChicago won the bid for the convention in April and will host the event for the first time since 1996, when President Bill Clinton cruised through Chicago on his way to a second nomination.
The United Center and an expanded 45-acre campus around it will be the electing site and main stage for the Democratic nominee’s speeches, officials said. Daily clerical business will be held at McCormick Place.
It was a friendly welcome for Democratic Party chairs Tuesday, who walked the floor of the United Center, snapped selfies next to the Bulls championship banners and rubbed elbows in a preview of where they plan to renominate President Joe Biden as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2024 election.
City leaders have thanked Biden’s administration for bringing a national spotlight back to Chicago. But City Hall and the White House have been out of step when it comes to how to handle one of the city’s most pressuring crises.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has pleaded to the White House to clear work permits for arriving migrants, but the Biden administration has not moved on the issue that’s considered by many to be a political firestorm ahead of a reelection campaign.
Asked about brewing tensions between city officials and the Biden administration about asylum seekers, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said “all of these issues are important.”
“Not just for the convention, but making sure we’re protecting the workers here on the ground,” Fried said. “We know our unions are being attacked, especially here in the state of Florida. It’s something we have to continue step up and make sure we’re putting them first, and make sure they’re part of the conversation.”
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoA video presentation at the United Center featured flashbacks to the ’90s Bulls dynasty, the 2020 NBA Chicago All-Star Game plus United Center appearances by former President Barack Obama, Clinton’s 1996 convention and Kamala Harris’ famous “We did it, Joe” line as delegates applauded.
Martha McDevitt-Pugh, international chair for Democrats Abroad, said Chicago has a unique capability to handle the convention’s size and spotlight.
“It’s a city that has history of having successful conventions before, and it’s really great to be in the Midwest, this is such an important part of the country for Democrats,” McDevitt-Pugh said. “Everyone is always talking about the coasts, but the middle is also really important.”
Terry Savarise, executive vice president of operations for the United Center, cited the venue’s use as a voting center, vaccination hub, personal protection equipment distribution center, food bank during the pandemic and its six professional basketball and hockey championships as examples its facilities and staff can handle the convention.
“We’re ready, we’re eager, we’re experienced and we’re prepared,” Savarise said. “We’re ready to deliver the best, most inclusive, most iconic convention experience the world has yet to see. Well, maybe since 1996.”
Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club ChicagoConvention chair Minyon Moore, a Biden White House adviser and Clinton administration veteran, welcomed the delegates to her hometown as they look forward to “re-electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
“The Chicago labor movement, the mayor, the governor, the community leaders have all been so receptive to this convention coming to Chicago,” Moore said. “You’re here early … It’s very important you got the chance to see Chicago.”
The delegates will have lunch at Bronzeville Winery and an evening reception at Navy Pier before heading back home, officials said.
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