Chicago will be bustling with political leaders, delegates, media, law enforcement, and demonstrators as it hosts the Democratic National Convention (DNC), Aug. 19-22.
With everything from high-profile speeches to polarizing protests on the menu, business owners and locals expressed a mixture of fear, excitement, dissatisfaction with outreach, and hope for peace during the long, warm week ahead.
“I just want everything to be smooth. If they’re going to protest, I want them to be peaceful,” said Gail Doherty, the manager of the Billy Goat Tavern at Ogden and Madison.
Her establishment, part of a chain made famous by Saturday Night Live and journalist Mike Royko, lies just up the street from both the United Center, the stadium where many notable Democrats will speak, and Union Park, where large-scale demonstrations will occur Aug. 19 at noon….