Know Your Rights During the 2024 Democratic National Convention

The City of Chicago will host the Democratic National Convention (DNC) from Monday, August 19 until Thursday, August 22. Most of the official activities will be held at the United Center and McCormick Place. Know your rights and resources before the event.

There will be special security zones limiting movement around both the United Center and McCormick Place. Here’s what we know:

  • The security measures imposed by the City of Chicago and United State Secret Service will go into place around McCormick Place on Friday, August 16 and around the United Center on Saturday, August 17.
  • The Secret Service will maintain a security perimeter around the United Center and McCormick Place. You can see the maps for the two areas here. Security fences will surround the perimeter, and only persons with credentials will be allowed to enter after passing through a security checkpoint. The Secret Service will also maintain a zone where pedestrians can enter but any vehicle entering will be subject to inspection.
  • The City of Chicago will maintain a “security footprint” 15 feet around the Secret Service perimeters at both venues. Within the security footprint, any item that the Chicago Police Superintendent determines “poses potential safety hazard” is prohibited, including the items listed here.

Chicago will see a significant increase in outside law enforcement presence with scores of officers travelling to the city from other municipalities across Illinois. The ACLU of Illinois continues to work to ensure that officers – both from Chicago and other locales –respect the rights of protesters as required by the Constitution and the federal Consent Decree governing CPD.

Making your voice heard at the DNC:

  • At the security zone there will be a “Speakers’ Platform” near the United Center. The City created a process to request a 45 minute timeslot to use the platform. Applicationsn for those time slots have closed.
  • Groups wishing to march during the Convention are required to apply for a permit and are limited to an official parade route created by the City during specific time periods. The ACLU of Illinois sued the City of Chicago after it denied a parade route to a coalition of organizations advocating for abortion and LGBTQ+ rights that took them close to the hotels housing delegates and media covering the parade route. Read more about our litigation here.

Recommendations and Resources:

Printable KYR While Protesting Card

Printable KYR IF stopped by Police Card

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