DNC Begins In Chicago: Speaker Schedule, What To Know

ILLINOIS — Delegates, media and elected officials are converging on Chicago as the Democratic National gets underway Monday, as Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to officially accept the party's nomination in the 2024 presidential race. The convention runs through Thursday at the United Center.

On Sunday, Gov. JB Pritzker confirmed 150 National Guard members would be in Chicago "on standby" as security is ramped up for the convention.

"They are at the perimeter. Nobody expects that we’ll have to use them for anything very serious," Pritzker said.

In July, the National Guard Association announced that the National Guard would provide security support for both the Republican National Convention — held last month in Milwaukee — and the DNC in Chicago. In a news release ahead of the RNC, officials said that "about 1,700 National Guardsmen and a small number of active-duty personnel will support civil authorities during the (RNC)," working with the FBI, Secret Service and Milwaukee metro police.

The National Guard Association also said nationwide protests of the Israel-Hamas war "have many Americans experiencing déjà vu about the 1968 DNC, which was also held in Chicago."

Protesters were already in Chicago on Sunday night, and had planned large marches and rallies during the convention, with Pritzker saying peaceful protests were welcome.

Chicago hospitals were also preparing for the DNC, according to the Chicago Tribune, which pointed out that the convention will bring a large number of high-profile people to the city at a tense time in American politics. It also comes a month after an assassination attempt against candidate and former President Donald Trump that left a rally attendee dead and several injured.

If people sustain traumatic injuries during the convention, ambulances would likely take them to Stroger Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, which all have Level 1 trauma centers and are closest to the United Center, which is hosting the convention, Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford told the Tribune.

DNC Speaker Schedule

After the convention kicks off Monday, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden is scheduled to speak, highlighting her husband's 50 years of public service.

President Joe Biden will be Monday's keynote speaker, nearly a month after he dropped out of the presidential race and threw his support behind Harris, and now her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Also Monday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to speak, along with former Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton.

On Tuesday, when Harris and Walz are expected to celebrate their nomination, Pritzker — who was reportedly a contender for the vice presidential pick — is expected to speak.

According to Axios, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama will also speak on Tuesday, along with Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, along with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, according to several reports.

Walz will also reportedly deliver his vice presidential nomination acceptance speech on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Harris is expected to speak, officially accepting the nomination, and former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, an outspoken critic of Trump, will also appear, according to CNN.

Other speakers for the DNC are believed to include Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, both of New York, as well as Jason Carter, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter.

The Democratic Party also announced the following themes for each evening of the DNC:

• Monday: "For the People"
• Tuesday: "A Bold Vision for America's Future"
• Wednesday: A Fight for Our Freedoms"
• Thursday: "For Our Future"

DNC Hosts

According to USA Today, hosts for the DNC include "Scandal" stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn, as well as "The Office" star Mindy Kaling and "The View" co-host Ana Navarro.

Goldwyn will reportedly host Monday night, followed by Navarro on Tuesday, Kaling on Wednesday and Washington on Thursday.

See the DNC's full schedule here.