Hello, Chicago.
In a show of support for free speech, the city opened its grandstand at Park No. 578 for all four days of the Democratic National Convention, building a stage with a microphone and industrial amplifiers aimed at the United Center parking lots. Speakers had to get pre-approval for their 45-minute slots, though same-day registration for open slots was accepted.
Although all but three of the slots were booked, many speakers failed to show up at their scheduled times. On Monday, as protests spread through the park, only one group spoke on stage, according to officials with the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications. On Tuesday and Wednesday, an eclectic group of speakers — focused on issues ranging from whale conservation to opioid overdose prevention to school choice — took to the microphone to address a nearly empty park.
The platform’s creation came as the city of Chicago faced backlash and accusations of free speech violations from groups planning to protest at the DNC.
Here’s what’s happening today. And don’t forget, for the latest Chicago news, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up for our alerts on all your devices.
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From friendship bracelets to camo hats, what Chicago DNC fashion tells us about today’s politics
Outfits made headlines at the convention, with many women wearing white in a nod to the women’s suffrage movement to Ella Emhoff wearing a Harris-Walz camouflage baseball cap. Read more here.
Other news articles:
Roads Reopen Around Chicago After DNC Ends. Here’s When All Security Perimeters Will Be Removed.
Normal traffic lanes will be restored around McCormick Place and the United Center starting Friday and ending Monday. Read more here.
Other economic news articles:
Chicago Baseball Report: Cubs’ faith in Miguel Amaya pays off – while White Sox strive to play ‘tough, clean baseball’
The Cubs hit the road for their longest remaining trip of the season, a three-city, nine-game road trip against teams below .500. Read more here.
Other articles on sport:
Scott Kowalchyk/CBS
Stephen Colbert sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the commentary booth during the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field on Aug. 17, 2024, in Chicago. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS)
Stephen Colbert strips down to his underwear at Wrigley and takes singing lessons from Jennifer Hudson on night four of ‘The Late Show’ in Chicago
In Stephen Colbert’s world, the presumed musical guest for the final night of the Democratic National Convention wasn’t Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, but the 1985 Chicago Bears. Read more here.
Other stories from Eat, Watch, Do:
Fact-checking Kamala Harris’ speech and other elements from day four of the DNC
Like the speakers who preceded her Thursday night and earlier this week, Harris focused largely on aspirations and ideals and generally did not stray far from the facts. Read more here.
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