Good afternoon, Chicago.
In an effort to show its support for free expression, the city opened up its speaker’s platform at Park No. 578 during all four days of the Democratic National Convention, constructing a stage with a microphone and industrial amplifiers pointed toward the parking lots of the United Center. Speakers needed to get preapproved for their 45-minute slots, although day-of sign-ups for empty slots were accepted.
Though all but three of the 24 slots were booked, many speakers this week didn’t show up for their designated times. As protests spilled into the park on Monday, only a single group delivered a speech on the stage, according to officials with the city’s Office of Emergency Management & Communications. On Tuesday and Wednesday, an eclectic group of speakers — focusing on issues ranging from saving the whales to opioid overdose prevention and school choice — took the mic to speak to an almost-empty park.
The creation of the speaker’s platform 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 else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.
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From friendship bracelets to camo hats, what Chicago DNC fashion over the past week tells us about politics today
Outfits have grabbed headlines at the convention, from many women wearing white as a nod to the women’s suffrage movement to Ella Emhoff donning the Harris-Walz camo baseball hat. Read more here.
More top news stories:
- Young Black and Indian women share an identity with Kamala Harris — some are beaming, while others sit at a crossroads with her stance on Gaza
- Man wounded overnight when leaving at restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood
Roads are reopening around Chicago as the DNC ends. Here’s when all the security perimeters will be removed.
Normal traffic routes will be restored surrounding McCormick Place and the United Center starting Friday and will wrap up by Monday. Read more here.
More top business stories:
- UAW could strike Stellantis plants by mid-October over Belvidere delays, plan says
- Park Ridge aldermen chilly to hotel developer’s ask for $7.5 million in incentives
Chicago baseball report: Cubs’ faith in Miguel Amaya paying 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 swing against sub-.500 teams. Read more here.
More top sports stories:
- ‘He’s just so deceptive’: How rookie Porter Hodge has developed into one of the Chicago Cubs’ best relievers
- Chicago Bears add to their defensive front with a trade for Darrell Taylor
Stephen Colbert sings “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the announcers 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 to his undies at Wrigley, gets singing lessons from Jennifer Hudson on Night 4 of ‘Late Show’ in Chicago
In Stephen Colbert’s world, the rumored musical guest on the last night of the Democratic National Convention wasn’t Beyoncé or Taylor Swift, but the 1985 Chicago Bears. Read more here.
More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:
- Review: It’s the Out of This World tour, and that’s what Missy Elliott delivers
- ‘Good One’ review: A father-daughter hiking trip leads to a heart-rending feature debut
Fact-checking Kamala Harris’ speech and more from Day 4 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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