Chicago finished up preparations for the big Democratic show coming to town. The nominating convention will be historic with Democrats of all generations expected to attend. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, 82, is expected to be honored this year. Although the city is cleaning up some areas for the convention, residents on the South Side still continue to deal with garbage on their streets. After a stinky season, the White Sox lowered their season ticket prices, and it looks like Riot Fest won’t be leaving the city after all.
Read past quotes of the week here.
“He is a giant in the civil rights movement and embodies the spirit of the more perfect union we strive toward every day. The reverend’s legacy isn’t just cemented in the work he’s done; it lives and breathes in each of the lives that he has touched, including mine.”
— Democratic National Convention Chair Minyon Moore on the Rev. Jesse Jackson
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, 82, will serve as an Illinois delegate at the United Center, as reported in the Tribune.
“They don’t want us to speak. They are restricting our rights based on content. Someone doesn’t want us to speak about Palestine.”
— Chicago protest leader Hatem Abudayyeh
Abudayyeh spoke on the permit requests that would allow DNC protesters to install stages and sound equipment as well as portable toilets, as reported in the Tribune.
“I’m just gonna stay in the house.”
— Jannice Harris-Ball, 64, who lives near the United Center
Harris-Ball lives at the Patrick Sullivan Senior Apartments that are next to one of the planned security checkpoints for the United Center, as reported by The Triibe. Ball spoke about her plans during the Democratic National Convention.
“It didn’t sit well with the president, understandably, and I’m sure it pains her that he feels the way he does. But I also think in her heart she knows she did the right thing for the party and the country.”
— David Axelrod
Axelrod spoke on U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s currently frosty relationship with Joe Biden.
“That statement of support, that was a real risk for her. I know it sounds funny, talking about politicians like this, it’s not very punk rock. But we’re coming back to Chicago. Chicago is our home.”
— Riot Fest organizer Mike Petryshyn, about Ald. Monique Scott, 24th
Petryshyn was discussing the decision to keep the musical festival in Chicago and not move it to the suburbs, as reported in the Tribune.
“We supposedly have an alderman, supposedly have city services, supposedly have access to 311, but our streets look like this.”
— South Shore resident Shanna Landheart
Landheart was referring to the garbage that plagues the South Side neighborhood and that is turning into a public health crisis, as reported by WBEZ.
“We see what tickets go for on the secondary market with our season ticket holders. We want our season ticket holders to be able to make some money if they decide that’s how they want to fund their season tickets.”
— Brooks Boyer, White Sox chief marketing officer
Boyer spoke on the decision to reduce season ticket prices by 10%.
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