The stage for the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center is pictured last week. [Courtesy of DNC Host Committee]

While the big speeches from presidents, party superstars and the Democrats’ current nominees, Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, will be the main attractions at this year’s Democratic National Convention (DNC), Chicago and Cook County’s local leaders will be featured at multiple events happening throughout the convention week that might fly under the radar. Here’s a roundup of some of what’s scheduled.

Johnson’s events

Mayor Brandon Johnson will speak on the opening night of the convention, the same night that President Joe Biden is planned to speak. The mayor said during a press conference Friday that his speaking slot will last three and a half minutes, but the exact time he's set to go on stage isn’t known. DNC programming begins roughly at 5:30 p.m.

On Monday morning, Johnson is attending a tour of sustainable community schools as part of programming for the National Racial Equity Summit, which was held Sunday and which Johnson also attended.  

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, National Education Association President Becky Pringle, Journey for Justice Alliance Executive Director Jitu Brown and other grassroots education and racial justice advocates are in town for the summit. 

The tour of community schools between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. will include Dyett High School and Drake and Cameron elementary schools. Johnson and the attendees of the summit hope to “present their vision for addressing systemic inequities by highlighting the critical role of education and community-driven solutions in shaping national policy,” according to a news release.

Johnson is also scheduled to deliver remarks ahead of the People Powered Policy Panel at the Harold Washington Library’s Cindy Pritzker Auditorium at 2 p.m. According to a description of the event, the mayor will speak about public banking and his administration’s support for a city-owned grocery store. 

The panel will cover public options policies and will include Ruha Benjamin, a sociologist and Princeton University African American Studies professor, communications professional and former journalist Sylvia Ewing and Dorian Warren, co-president of Community Change and co-founder of the Economic Security Project, a group which supports guaranteed basic income.   

On Tuesday, the mayor will join U.S. Reps. Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Steven Horsford (D-NV), who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, Tom Suozzi (D-NY), chair of the Border Security Caucus, Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside), Pennsylvania State Rep. Danilo Burgos, who chairs the Pennsylvania House’s Latino Caucus, and immigration advocacy groups for the American Business Immigration Coalition Action’s Here to Work Reception. 

During the event, which takes place at Moe’s Cantina, 155 W. Kinzie St., at 4:15 p.m., the attendees will “celebrate President Biden’s executive action expanding work permits and legal status to reach long-term immigrants including spouses of American citizens and Dreamers” and urge its smooth implementation. 

Johnson is also co-sponsoring one of four One Fair Wage- and Black Voters Matter-sponsored Raise the Wage parties. The one the mayor is sponsoring will be at Greenwood Oasis, 7621 S. Greenwood Ave., from 7-11 p.m. on Aug. 20.

On Wednesday, Johnson has been invited to attend the KAIROS Connections business and entrepreneurial event sponsored by KAIROS: Democracy Project, Atlas Strategy Group and Democracy in Action.  Representatives from Morningstar, Northwestern University, Hyatt, BMO, 1871, Northern Trust and the University of Illinois are expected to attend. 

Members of the Black Mayors Association, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Gov. JB Pritzker are also expected to attend. The Kairos Connections event will take place at Signature, 1312 S. Wabash Ave., from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday. 

Also on Wednesday, Johnson will sit on the Big City Mayors Panel as part of Politico/CNN’s VIP Convention Conversations series. The mayor will be interviewed from 3:30-4 p.m. along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.  

Other political events 

While more events are sure to be announced as the week goes on, members of the City Council and city government will also be representing Chicago throughout convention week. 

City Clerk Anna Valencia, Chicago Urban League President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth and other women leaders from business, community organizations and government will host an event called Up Next Chicago on Monday afternoon at Taste 222, 222 N. Canal St. from 2-4 p.m. 

Alds. Jason Ervin (28) and Michelle Harris (8) are also expected to attend the KAIROS Connections event at Signature on Wednesday. 

On Wednesday night, Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26) will join Ramirez, Border Butterflies Executive Director Isa Noyola, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights Executive Director Adelina Nicholls and journalist Maria Hinojosa for a “Chisme and Politics” panel discussion ahead of a concert and party at the Mijente-sponsored Chicago Gigante event. Doors for Chicago Gigante open at 6:30 p.m. at Reggies, 2105 S. State St. 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will headline an Everytown For Gun Safety and Planned Parenthood joint event focused on gun control and reproductive rights on Tuesday morning. The event will take place at Revel Motor Row, 2400 S. Michigan Ave., from 9:30-11 a.m.  

Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg will appear at the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute’s event Tuesday titled “Victory at the DNC.” The event, which is expected to also include LGBTQ lawmakers in Chicago government, including former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Cook County government and Illinois government, will be held on the roof of theWIT Chicago, 201 N. State St., from 4-5:30 p.m.  

UnidosUS Action Fund will hold a lunch reception from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesday to honor Latino leaders in Illinois and within the Democratic Party. According to organizers, the lunch reception will “bring together civil rights advocates, community and labor leaders, elected officials, corporate executives, influencers, and Latino delegates to the DNC,” but a complete list of attendees was not available. The event will take place at Barrio, 65 W. Kinzie St. 

Protests 

The Coalition to March on the DNC is all set to hold two mass protests a few blocks from the United Center on Aug. 19 and Aug. 22. Both marches will step off from Union Park and will feature speaking programs and rallies at both Union Park, at 1501 W. Randolph St., and Park 578, located at 1919 W. Maypole Ave. 

After a monthslong court battle with the city over the route and a last-minute conflict over the ability to use a stage, portable restrooms and sound equipment, the coalition and city came to an agreement to allow a stage, sound equipment and seven portable restrooms in Union Park for protesters.

The group is marching in opposition to the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip and will also call attention to other progressive causes such as police accountability and reproductive rights. 

On Monday, the coalition will march from the morning through the late afternoon, with three distinct step-off times at 9 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. On Thursday, the coalition will begin its march at 2 p.m. and disband by 6 p.m. 

The Poor People’s Human Rights Campaign will also march on Monday from Humboldt Park to Park 578, stepping off at 4 p.m. Over the weekend, Fuentes denounced plans from the group to form a tent encampment in solidarity with homeless folks in the park.