Chicago’s Bid for 2028 DNC Fails
The Democratic National Convention won’t return to Chicago in 2028, disappointing expectations for a repeat at the United Center since the days of the Michael Jordan-era Bulls. This decision marks a setback for Gov. JB Pritzker during the election year.
The Democratic National Committee narrowed down its choices for the August 7-10, 2028 presidential nominating convention. Boston, Denver, and Philadelphia made the cut, while Atlanta and Chicago were eliminated. This decision follows closely after the national party excluded Illinois from the early 2028 presidential primaries.
Impact on Gov. Pritzker
Gov. Pritzker is the de facto head of the Illinois Democratic Party and its largest funder. The party had advocated for Illinois to play an early role in the nomination process, citing demographics that reflect the nation. Both hosting the convention and an early primary could have benefited Pritzker if he were to run for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.
Pritzker, with his wife MK, contributed $5.6 million from a trust fund to support the 2024 convention. This formed nearly 6% of the $97 million raised by the local host committee. In 2016, Pritzker donated $1.25 million to the DNC host committee in Philadelphia, becoming the largest individual donor.
Venue and Competition Factors
Chicago being among the final contenders for the 2028 DNC might have been surprising to some, given limitations in suitable cities. Few locations offer a strong union presence and sufficient hotel accommodations needed for the event.
The campaign of Pritzker had no immediate comments on Chicago’s exclusion from the list. A DNC spokesperson and DNC Chair Ken Martin did not elaborate on why the three finalists were chosen, though Martin expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations with the selected cities.
Future Possibilities
Chicago may still host the 2032 convention, as a bid for that event is in place. Emily Soong, spokesperson for the Chicago 2028 Bid Committee, stated Chicago’s commitment to supporting whichever city is chosen. Funds from the 2024 efforts remained as preparation for future bids.
DNC officials visited Chicago in May, praising the successful 2024 convention for overcoming coordination challenges with Republican President Donald Trump’s administration. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson thanked the DNC and extolled the success of the 2024 convention.
Historical Context and Reaction
Ald. Walter “Red” Burnett, overseeing the ward with the United Center, commented on the delay in redevelopment plans linked to the convention site. Historical instances saw Chicago as a repeat convention site; however, New York had been the last city to host consecutive conventions for the same party in 1976 and 1980.
Gov. Pritzker expressed excitement for future potential hosting and extended support for future conventions, underscoring Chicago’s track record of hosting major events successfully.